The proceedings at the fortieth annual meeting of the National
School Society are more remarkable for the light they throw on the state of Church politics than for any influence they are likely to ex- ercise over the progress anational education. The majority refused to concur in Mr. benison's persevering hostilities against the Educa- tion Committee of Council, but they kept silence as to the course they intend to pursue in future. The vote which negatived Mr. Denison's desire to prolong the contest with the Committee of Council implies a disposition on the part of the majority to renew negotiations with the Committee, but not such an abatement of the Society's demands in respect to the management-clauses as will enable the two bodies to cooperate. It is still a moot point whe- ther the Committee can avail itself of the agency of the Society to promote general education. Apart, however, from educational considerations, the vote is of a nature to inspire hopes that the ecclesiastics of the Exeter stamp may not be able to push the dissensions within the Church to the extent of disruption.. It is clear that many influential clergymen and laymen shrink back from the precipice to the verge of which they have been hurried. The vote, however, cannot be considered conclusive as to the pos- sibility of the Sacramentarian and Low Church parties continuing to act in concert even upon such comparatively neutral ground as a society for the establishment and maintenance of schools. Though Mr. Denison and his supporters acquiesced in the vote on Wednesday, they are already raising their voices against it in the press, as obtained by surprise, and inconclusive. They seem reso- lute to renew the contest next year, if any prospect of additional support be held out to them.
