Part 9 (1/2)
May all the _Ends of the World_ see and pursue rightly the _Salvation of G.o.d_, and know and believe that there is _none other Name given under Heaven, by and thro' whom they may be saved, but only the Name of Jesus Christ_.
May G.o.d's Kingdom be established in the true Church _in America_, as well as _England_; and may it be truly said, _blessed be the Lord G.o.d of_ Shem; for his is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. _Amen._
APPENDIX.
It being observed by some Gentlemen of Distinction, that in the foregoing Account of _Virginia_, I hinted at some Things, wherein Addition, Alteration, or Improvement of some Methods and Laws, seem'd absolutely requisite for the Advancement of Religion and Learning, and the Promotion of Arts and Trade; it was therefore thought not improper to annex the following Schemes upon those Subjects; wherein I deliver my Sentiments in as free and plain a Manner as I can, specifying what Redundancies or Deficiencies occur to my Opinion; and humbly recommending such Measures as my Imagination dictates to be most proper for the Interest and Prosperity of _Virginia_, &c. in Conjunction with the publick Good of _Great Britain_.
The first of these Schemes, I submit with the greatest Humility, to the candid Censure and Consideration of his Grace the Archbishop of _Canterbury_, to whose Protection _Virginia_ Learning and Education ought to be recommended, as he is Chancellor of the College of _William_ and _Mary_.
The next Scheme most properly claims the favourable Patronage of the Lord Bishop of _London_, to whose careful Management the Church of _Virginia_ belongs.
The two last are more particularly offered to the Perusal of the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, and the worthy _Virginia_ Merchants.
But forasmuch as _Virginia_ is the Scene of Action for all these Schemes, therefore is each of them humbly presented to the _Virginia_ Gentry; particularly to the honourable the Lieutenant Governor, the Council, the House of Burgesses, the Clergy and the President, Rector and Governors of the College of the most antient and loyal Colony of _Virginia_.
If any thing here offered be dislik'd, I willingly shall submit to censure when disproved and confuted; mean while hope that nothing here mentioned or proposed will be taken amiss, since this Work was purposely undertaken with a sincere Intention of publick Good; therefore I have Expectation that it will find a kind Reception with all publick-spirited, and unprejudiced Persons.
SCHEME I.
_Of Education in_ Virginia.
The Royal Founders of _William_ and _Mary_ College, with Prospect of doing the greatest Good for the Colonies of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, conferred this princely Donation upon them; and were seconded with the ample Benefaction of the honourable Mr. _Boyle_, and the Contributions of the Country. But this underwent the common Fate of most other charitable Gifts of this Kind, having met with several Difficulties to struggle with in its Infancy; but the most dangerous was, that it was as it were no sooner finished, but it was unfortunately and unaccountably consumed to Ashes. Yet observe the wonderful _Turns_ of Fortune, and Power of _Providence_. This College, _Phoenix-like_, as the City of _London_, revived and improved out of its own Ruins. But though it has found such unexpected Success, and has proved of very great Service already; yet is it far short of such Perfection, as it might easily attain to by the united Power of the Persons concerned about this important Foundation.
For it is now a College without a Chapel, without a Scholars.h.i.+p, and without a Statute.
There is a Library without Books, comparatively speaking, and a President without a fix'd Salary till of late: A Burgess without certainty of Electors; and in fine, there have been Disputes and Differences about these and the like Affairs of the College hitherto without End.
These Things greatly impede the Progress of Sciences and learned Arts, and discourage those that may be inclined to contribute their a.s.sistance or Bounty towards the Good of the College.
Nevertheless the Difficulties of this Kind might be removed by some such Regulations as follow, _viz._
Let none be permitted to teach School in any Parish, but such as shall be nominated by the Minister and Vestry, and licensed by the President of the College.
Let such Lads as have been taught to read and instructed in the Grounds of the _English_ Language in those Schools, be admitted into the _Grammar_ School at the College, if they pa.s.s Examination before the President and Masters; together with such Youth as shall be sent from _Maryland_, who have a Right to be educated at this College.
Provided always that the Number of _Grammar_ Scholars shall never exceed one Hundred.
Let them be boarded and lodged in the Dormitory, as they are at present; or upon such Terms as may from Time to Time seem most proper to the President and Masters, or to the Governors, till a Transfer be obtained.
These Lads should be two Years under the Care of the Usher, and two more under the _Grammar_ Master; and by them instructed in _Latin_ and _Greek_, in such Methods as the President and Masters shall direct.
And during these four Years, at certain appointed Times they should be taught to write as they now are in the Writing-School, or in such Methods as the President and Masters may judge better: There also should the Writing Master teach them the Grounds and Practice of Arithmetick, in order to qualify such for Business, as intend to make no farther Progress in Learning.
Out of the _Grammar_ School should be yearly elected by the President and Masters [or Professors] five Scholars upon the Foundation, who should be allowed their Board, Education, and Lodging in proper Apartments _gratis_; and should also be provided with Cloaths and Gowns, _&c._ after the Charter-House Method.
These Scholars should continue three Years upon the Foundation; during which Time, at appointed _Terms_ they should be instructed in Languages, in Religion, in Mathematicks, in Philosophy, and in History, by the five Masters or Professors appointed for that Purpose; who with the _Grammar_ Master make up the Number appointed by the Charter.