present ministry, of which the writer of
the above is a distinguished member, may exhibit in their conduct and
arrangements, both in the colonies and at home, a more sound and true
conception of their duty than was ever shown by their predecessors? Such
hopes, undoubtedly, are entertained by a portion of the British public,
not unimportant either in numbers or in moral and political influence.
Nevertheless, the zealously attached members of the Church of England
need not to be reminded of a truth which is frequently brought before
them in the circle of its daily service. They know that "it is better to
trust in the Lord than to put any confidence in princes." They are sure
that, if theirs is a living branch of Christ's Holy Catholic Church,
many a weapon will be formed against it, but yet "no weapon that is
formed against it shall prosper."

[218] Gladstone's State in its Relations with the Church, chap.
vii. p. 272.

It would be wearying to the reader to attempt to enter into the same
details respecting schools as have been stated with regard to churches.
The fate of the Church and School Corporation has elsewhere been
related.[219] Suffice it to say, then, that the same spirit of hostility
or indifference has been equally exhibited in both cases; indeed, it
would be strange if the bitter enemies, and feeble or false friends of
that system of religious instruction which is carried on among the adult
population by our national Church, were not alike vigorous in their
opposition, or impotent in their friendship, to the system of religious
training among the infant population which is wrought out by our
national schools. However, in mentioning the subject of schools, the
unsuccessful attempt of the Government, in 1836, to saddle the colony of
New South Wales with schools conducted upon the modern Irish system,
must not be left unnoticed. On this occasion, it may be observed, the
Presbyterian, Independent, Baptist, and Wesleyan "denominations of
Christians," were actually forced to leave, for a while, their liberal
friends and allies of the Church of Rome, and to seek the assistance,
and rejoice in the strength of the "exclusive" and "dominant" Church of
England. It is really curious to observe these various sects seeking out
the Bishop of Australia, and requesting him to preside at their meeting
in opposition to the proposed measure; and since, although he disagreed
with them in a matter not then at issue, namely, th