Church and college -- Ireland; Education, Higher -- Ireland; Universities and colleges -- Ireland
It cannot be believed by any one, that the passing of an Act of Parliament
secularizing Trinity College would alter in the slightest degree the
sentiments and wishes of the 1100 Students of the English Church, or those
of the parents and guardians who placed them in Trinity College, knowing
and expecting that they would there receive, not only a liberal education,
but instruction and training in the principles of the Church of England.
Those 1100 young and intelligent Students would still demand an education
based upon religion; a demand which would be promptly answered by the
Clerical Fellows of the College; and it cannot be doubted that, if they
were well led by earnest and competent teachers, they would found a second
Trinity College within the walls, which would perpetuate the principles of
the College founded by Elizabeth. Such a movement the Parliament would find
itself unable to control; for the portion of the funds of Trinity College
that is now expended on the education of the Clergy would be allowed, in
common justice, to be allocated in future to the same object; and the
Clerical Professors and Fellows would gather round them the germ of the
Trinity College of the future, faithful to the traditions of the past, and
perchance surpassing the reputation of the old College for learning.
From what I know of the earnest spirit of Irish Protestants, and of their
determination to secure for their children an education founded on the pure
word of God, I believe that the Clerical Tutors of the College would at
once transfer to themselves the great majority of the Protestant Students
of Trinity College.
Some 100 or 200 Students might prefer to receive the instruction, and
reward the care, of such lay Fellows as might find their way into the
secularized Corporation, and thus a permanent domestic schism would become
established between the clerical and lay elements of the College, which are
now happily at peace. Whatever might be the future of the College, it is
certain that, at the outset, the Secular Fellows of the College would have
to undergo the rivalry of a trained band of Protestant teachers, supported
by sympathizing Students, both smarting under an angry sense of wrong and
injustice.
Let us now inquire how the secularization of Trinity College would please
the Roman Catholic party in Ireland. The Roman Catholic Clergy warn their
flocks against Trinity College as a Protestant Institution, necessarily
dangerous to the principles of Catholic Students; and, in thus warning
them, they are practically wise, for it is simply impossible for seventy
Catholics to associate with 1100 Protestants, as equals and fellow
Students, without renouncing, more or less, the narrow views respecting
Protestants that prevail among the higher circles of their Hierarchy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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