any kind is made for the spiritual
need of the people, or when, as in the same country in later years, "a
system is pursued which would seem to indicate an utter indifference on
the part of those who dispense the national treasure, whether truth
or falsehood shall characterise the religious creeds of any of the
colonists."[225] And thus, while the sum total of religious provision
is very insufficient, that little is divided in a kind of scramble among
various parties, so that Irish Roman Catholics, who cry up the voluntary
system at home, are tempted to glory in being one of "the three
established communions" in New South Wales; and Scotch Presbyterians,
who profess extreme ardour for the American system of "leaving every
religious denomination to support its own ministers," find in Australia
assistance from Government (or even from a clergyman of the Church of
England)[226] very convenient, and "a' vera weel," as the cannie Scots
say. With so much irreligion, so small and so miserably divided a power
to oppose it, as we behold in Australia, the great question with every
one proposing to emigrate is, whether he can take that step without
probable spiritual loss; and at this price he would find all worldly
gain too dearly bought. There are many places in our colonies, it is
true, where a person may use (or, if he pleases, neglect) the means of
grace, exactly as at home; and against these spots the objection now
urged would not at all weigh. But before any one removes himself into
the wilderness, or far away from any place of worship, except the chapel
of the Roman Catholic or the meeting of the separatist, he should be
well rooted and grounded in the faith of his fathers. And supposing him
to be so, what real patriot could wish a man of this kind to emigrate!
How ill can England spare out of any rank of life such persons as these!
Before emigration can become as general and respectable as it ought
to be, _religion_ must be made its groundwork; and religion, to be
successful in doing the work of Christ in the hearts of men, must not
consist in that modern jumble of denominations, which pretends to the
name, but must teach its doctrines by means of the ministrations of the
"Church of the Living God," which is the pillar and ground of the truth.
When this foundation has been laid, then can the conscientious churchman
zealously promote emigration, and not before. And if it should never be
laid, still, whatever may be his fear