Transcribed from the 1836 J. Fletcher edition by David Price. INFANT SCHOOLS AND DISSENTERS. * * * * * A VINDICATION OF “A LETTER OF AFFECTIONATE REMONSTRANCE,” &c. * * * * * FROM THE MISTAKES RESPECTING IT MADE BY WILLIAM GEARY, ESQ. AND FROM THE MISREPRESENTATIONS OF IT MADE BY THE REV. JOHN PEROWNE, RECTOR OF ST. JOHN’S MADDERMARKET, IN THEIR RESPECTIVE PAMPHLETS. * * * * * BY JOHN ALEXANDER, MINISTER OF PRINCE’S STREET CHAPEL, NORWICH. * * * * * NORWICH: SOLD BY J. FLETCHER; JARROLD & SONS; AND THE OTHER BOOKSELLERS. JACKSON & WALFORD, LONDON. 1836. PREFACE. THE following Vindication was written during the week in which the Rev. John Perowne’s “Observations” appeared; and the publication of it has been hitherto delayed, partly from an unwillingness to pursue the subject of my “Letter” any farther, and partly from a determination not to publish till a fair opportunity had been given to obtain subscribers to the New Infant School Society. In replying to Mr. Geary it was impossible to write with any other impression than that I was answering a gentleman and a Christian; and I hope that such an impression is manifested in my pages. And though Mr. Perowne has chosen to make my “Letter” on Infant Schools the pretext for a rude and personal attack, as well as for insulting the whole body of Dissenters, I have nevertheless endeavoured to treat him with some degree of forbearance, and have in many instances chastised him with whips only, when scorpions were at hand. The great questions at issue between Churchmen and Dissenters never can be settled by slander and abuse. Mr. Perowne’s pamphlet therefore must be an utter failure; and I hope that all who have read it, or who may read this, will retire from them both, diligently and devoutly to study the New Testament, as the only standard of Christian faith, and of Ecclesiastical government. _Norwich_, _June_ 6_th_, 1836. A VINDICATION, &c. WHEN I had read the pamphlet, published by my esteemed friend Mr. Geary, in reply to my “Letter,” it appeared to me that the facts, relative to the proposed Infant School Society, were sufficiently before the public; and, therefore, I determined to send him a few explanatory remarks in writing, rather than to make any reply through the medium of the press. Having been induced to alter my determination, I respectfully submit to Mr. Geary’s consideration, the following brief observations.