xhibit the smallest deficiency in the
great points to which you allude. But when I am persuaded that his
learning is so far from detracting from his piety that it enables him
to render it more extensively useful, I can not wish him dispossessed of
that knowledge which adorns his religion without diminishing its good
effects."

"You will allow," said Mr. Tyrrel, "that those first great publishers of
Christianity, the Apostles, had none of this vain learning."

"I admit," said Mr. Stanley, "that it is frequently pleaded by the
despisers of learning, that the Apostles were illiterate. The fact is
too notorious, and the answer too obvious to require to be dwelt upon.
But it is unfortunately adduced to illustrate a position to which it can
never apply, the vindication of an unlettered clergy. It is a hackneyed
remark, but not the less true for being old, that the wisdom of God
chose to accomplish the first promulgation of the gospel by illiterate
men, to prove that the work was his own, and that its success depended
not on the instruments employed, but on the divinity of the truth
itself. But if the Almighty chose to establish his religion by miracles,
he chooses to carry it on by means. And he no more sends an ignorant
peasant or fisherman to instruct men in Christianity now, than he
appointed a Socrates or a Plato to be its publisher at first. As,
however, there is a great difference in the situations, so there may be
a proportionate difference allowed in the attainments of the clergy. I
do not say it is necessary for every village curate to be a profound
scholar, but as he may not always remain in obscurity, there is no
necessity for his being a contemptible one."

Sir John remarked, that what has been said of those who affect to
despise birth, has been applied also to those who decry learning;
neither is ever undervalued except by men who are destitute of them; and
it is worthy of observation, that as literature and religion both sunk
in the dark ages, so both emerged at the same auspicious era.

Mr. Stanley finding that Dr. Barlow was not forward to embark in a
subject which he considered as rather personal, said, "It is
presumptuous to observe, that the Apostles were unlettered men, yet
those instruments who were to be employed in services singularly
difficult, the Almighty condescended partly to fit for their peculiar
work by great human attainments. The Apostle of the Gentiles was brought
up at the feet of Gamali