_COUNCIL OF EDUCATION._
Between the late Mr. Christopher Bushell and Mr. Balfour a friendship
sprang up of singular depth and intensity--a friendship which gained a
firmer hold of both, year by year, till interrupted by death. Two noble
men could scarcely have been found more unlike one another; and to the
bystander it might have seemed most improbable that, between them,
affection profound and tender should have existed. Yet so it was. The
calm judicial mind of Mr. Bushell, naturally clothing its utterances in
dignity and stateliness, and the eager impetuous soul of Mr. Balfour,
rushing into utterance and action in the form that came most readily to
him, had a singular affinity for one another. We have heard each speak
of the other in terms of unmeasured admiration and affection, and each
attribute to the other the main merit of beneficent works in which they
were jointly engaged.
We cannot forget our meeting with Mr. Bushell on the way to the
beautiful but desolated home of Mount Alyn, on the day on which Mr.
Balfour fell asleep. Mr. Bushell’s grief flowed from a fountain that was
deep indeed. He had lost a brother and more than a brother, a man whose
burning enthusiasm and conquering faith and princely munificence had
taken possession of his heart. Alas! that so soon, in the midst of noble
and most fruitful work, Mr. Bushell too should have been taken from us,
gently translated to a higher sphere of action. Rarely favoured is the
city which has two such men to lose.
Not long before his own death, Mr. Bushell supplied us with the
following notes and extracts from Mr. Balfour’s letters to him, from
which something of the character of both men will appear. There are a
few references in them which were supplied to us for guidance, and which
might not perhaps have been allowed to remain if Mr. Bushell had
continued with us; but now that he is gone from us, there is no reason
for suppressing them. We look on these memoranda about such a man, from
such a man, with a certain feeling of sacredness, and prefer to present
them substantially as they were received. They relate mainly, but not
exclusively, to the Council of Education, which has not only done an
excellent work for Liverpool, but has set a noble example before all the
country. Of this movement Mr. Bushell was--as by his qualities of head
and heart he was admirably fitted to be--the soul and centre. With his
quick perception of anything that was destined to bless the community,
Mr. Balfour threw into this cause both heart and treasure. When they
read these extracts, some fellow-citizens will recall the tall figures
of these two departed friends, as they were often seen together, in the
prosecution of schemes in which they took a common interest; the one
with his erect and noble form, and finely chiselled features, calm and
self-restrained, the other with his bending, mobile, eager figure, his
outstretched hand, and ever-varying features--heaven-made friends, whose
strangely differing powers and natures were absorbed in the effort to
bless their city and their native land.
* * * * *
Mr. Balfour became a member of the Liverpool Council of Education at the
time of its formation in 1874, and continued to be an active member of
the executive committee until the time of his death. A few extracts from
several letters written to Mr. Bushell, the president of the Council, by
Mr. Balfour during a period of illness, and while absent from home on
the Continent, will show the deep interest which he took in this work,
and the thoughtful consideration which he gave to its details. These
extracts also illustrate the estimation in which Mr. Balfour held many
other good works in Liverpool, and the interest which he took in them.
His pecuniary contributions to the work of the Council, as to many other
local religious and philanthropic institutions, were simply munificent,
and wherever there was need, his heart and hand were always open.
Without Mr. Balfour’s pecuniary help in the beginning of its work, the
Council of Education could scarcely have reached the degree of
efficiency and usefulness which it has been permitted to attain.
The following is taken from the Report of the Council of Education for
1877-78:--
“ARCACHON, NEAR BORDEAUX, _24th October 1877_.
“MY DEAR MR. BUSHELL,--It has been a source of sincere
congratulation and comfort to me, that the scholarships founded by
the Council of Education for the boys of the Liverpool elementary
schools have proved such a very great success. Not only do they
afford to the boys who gain them, an opportunity for improving
their position in life, but it is plain that they give a general
stimulus to educational work throughout the town. I consider the
conditions on which the scholarships are granted to be most
excellent, and that their beneficial action has now been thoroughly
tested and proved.
“Believing as I do that the town at large would be prejudiced if
these scholarships were by any chance now to fail, I beg to ask
your kind consideration of some scheme whereby they can be
perpetuated in the future, irrespective of the annual contributions
received by the Council.
“If you were to determine to raise a principal sum, the interest of
which would serve for the maintenance of these scholarships, I feel
sure that not only would their permanence, so far as it is in our
power, be thereby established, but the Council would, with the
greater ease, be able to prosecute other departments of the work
that lies before them.
“To such a fund, should you decide to raise it, I desire to
contribute; and anticipating that the suggestion I venture to make
may commend itself to your judgment, I beg to enclose a cheque for
£1000 to the fund, asking you will please to receive it as ‘A
thank-offering.’ Should you deem it better that my own name should
appear, you can use it. With very kind regards, I remain, my dear
Mr. Bushell, yours very sincerely,
A. BALFOUR.”
Writing to the President of the Liverpool Council of Education, in
reply to an acknowledgment of the letter just quoted, Mr. Balfour, under
the date of Arcachon, 5th December 1877, says:--
“I am certain that benefit is to be derived from what is now being done,
in ways that cannot now be foreseen. A dignity is given to the subject
of education such as was never given before, and the subject is at last
being treated as of national importance, and not left to be a bone of
contention to the religious denominations.”
In a letter to Mr. Bushell, dated 1st January 1878, and written from
Arcachon, Mr. Balfour says:--
“I told my bookseller to send you a copy of Archdeacon Hare’s book ‘The
Victory of Faith,’ of which we have spoken together, and which I hope
you have received. The fourth sermon I specially commend to your notice.
One can imagine the tall, aged scholar and preacher delivering it to the
lads sitting at his feet, and commending to heart and judgment, with all
the persuasiveness in his power, the heavenly truths he was commissioned
to declare.
“I consider the condition of the town of Liverpool already furnishes an
extraordinary instance of the conquering power of faith. Within the past
three or four years several new enterprises have been begun in faith
amongst us, and what are we now permitted to see? Take the work of the
Council of Education. I have already told you the deep impression made
on my mind, by the fact that the attendance of children at our
elementary schools has increased within the past three years by nearly
ten thousand children, a result largely due to the work of the Council.
Each of these children has a history before it, which is certain to be
affected _for good_ by this work. Let us continue this work in faith,
and who can tell the blessing it may bring. We are not straitened in
God; do not let us straiten ourselves.
“The recent development of work amongst seamen is bringing about
spiritual changes that are a perfect marvel. Think of an attendance of
some eighty men often at the meetings for prayer at 2 P.M., and this in
the face of all the temptations abounding, at Price Street. There is now
a Mission-Room for foreign seamen, and it has become so overcrowded as
to need enlargement. The Seamen’s Orphanage is of older origin, but this
year’s report will only be the eighth, and yet its success is wonderful,
as you can judge from the enclosed letter, which I hope I may, without
breach of confidence, submit to your own eye.
“The work amongst young men is most hopeful, and if these are influenced
for good, what hopes may we not indulge in for the future!
“And the remaining subject for special gratitude is the success of these
cocoa-rooms, which are flourishing, and are the strongest teetotal fact
that exists in our country. I feel certain their popularity furnishes a
demonstration, that where reasonable provision is made for the wants of
working-men, the public-house is passed by. What a reflection they cause
on the reasonings and procedure of our magistrates! The success of these
cocoa-rooms is completely to overthrow the false theories that have done
such mischief, and I am sure will do good far beyond the limits of our
own neighbourhood.
“The educational and other results I have now glanced at are
unattainable by any merely human power. The Master Himself has brought
them about by His own servants, whose work He has indeed greatly
blessed. You must not wonder at my occupying your time by these
reflections, for thoughts of the marvellous progress of His work in
Liverpool afford me more comfort and rejoicing than the perusal of any
poem or the reading of any novel!”
Referring to the demonstration on the delivery of the scholarships and
prizes of the Council of Education in January 1878, on which occasion an
address was delivered by the Right Honourable Dr. Lyon Playfair, Mr.
Balfour writes:--
“The defined objects of the Council are now fairly before the public,
and we may hope, as time goes on, will become more and more understood.
Deficiencies are now recognised in our system of elementary education,
and an honest attempt is made to meet them, instead of shutting our eyes
to them or passing them by. Well might Dean Howson say that the
proceedings of the Council are likely to be for good, far beyond our own
locality. It would really seem that a large experiment is being
initiated by the Council, which may ultimately affect for good the whole
nation. Oh, what need for Divine help and wisdom in the direction of its
affairs!
“Our net must be cast wider and wider, so as to enclose many big fish
that now swim at large in deep water. One word more about this
collecting of money. Remember that if you ask any one for his money, you
are doing him an honour thereby. Besides that, if you induce men to give
what they can properly spare to this good object, a positive benefit to
themselves will ensue. The words of the Apostle are (Eph. vi. 8),
‘Knowing that whatsoever good thing _any man_ doeth, the same shall he
receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.’ And I would also say
there is plenty of loose money in Liverpool for all Christian
requirements. I received a somewhat remarkable letter the other day
from our dear friend Mr. ----. He writes:--
“‘We have great reason to be thankful for many things, but have much
work yet to do. There is much land yet to be possessed. I have great joy
in helping in every good work. I cannot give so much labour as some from
want of strength and time, but God has prospered my business much of
late, and I can heartily help with money when needed, and with my
prayers. God’s claim is on every man, _according to his several
ability_, and I am anxious the coming year may be the most fruitful in
His service.’
“So there are some amongst us, even now, who regard themselves as His
stewards, and we must look forward to the time when all are so to regard
themselves.
“My heart sang for joy yesterday when we heard the news that there was
peace. The tidings came just as we were going into the little new church
that was about to be opened for the first time. I wish there had been an
organ, and that Handel’s music, ‘Smiling Peace,’ could have been played.
What a relief that the fearful carnage, suffering, and sorrow of these
battlefields has ceased.”
Those who visited him, about that time, cannot forget the intense
emphasis with which, at family worship, he used to pray--“Scatter Thou
the people that delight in war.”
Mr. Balfour, in a letter dated Pau, 6th March 1878, characteristically
remarks:--
“Moral forces are now at work in our town in a manner unparalleled in
its history since I have known it, and my heart dances with joy as I
find that the honest truth is more and more plainly announced and acted
on. Just as we get Bible truth identified with elementary education,
with temperance, with commercial business, and with politics, so shall
we, as individuals and as a nation, become prosperous and happy. One has
only to come to this country and see the industry, and thrift, and
temperance, and comfort of the peasantry, to be made aware how greatly
we need improvement and reform in our national laws, and in our personal
thoughts and purposes at home.”
In the same letter, Mr. Balfour, speaking of the evil results of
drunkenness and its attendant vice and poverty, asks--
“Where are we to turn for the remedy of all this? To the efforts of
Christian men, who are seeking by God’s blessing to extend His Kingdom.
To Christian men, labouring for a Christian, and not a party purpose,
do I turn, and thank God with assured hope that the time of deliverance
is drawing nigh.”
Referring again to the work of the Council of Education, and its method
of influencing the pupils, as far as possible, by inducement with reward
rather than compulsion under penalty, the writer continues:--
“I like your unit of 420 punctual attendances extremely. Everybody can
understand this, and simplicity is an immense thing to a child. Also
that ‘Excelsior’ should ring in the pupil’s mind, from the beginning to
the end of his school course, regarding this matter of punctuality. I
quite believe that this new principle, of acknowledging and rewarding
punctual attendance at school, will by and by be adopted by Government.
I congratulate you with my whole heart, on having been able to embody
the principle in a scheme so practical and comprehensive as that just
issued. It touches the weak points of our educational system, and
strengthens and improves it all round. I am glad it is contemplated to
have a field-day at Midsummer for the children. I believe that the
stimulus, given by the hope of passing over the platform of St. George’s
Hall, would operate as strongly on a child’s mind as any reward that
could be proposed. Such a day in Liverpool will be like the Crystal
Palace day in London, when the Bibles have to be distributed--a
red-letter day for the children and for their parents. What a change all
this is to make in the condition of our system of elementary
education--the attention of the town strongly concentrated on it, and
the sympathy of all classes drawn to it. No doubt, as you say, the
requisite pecuniary support will also be forthcoming. I am very glad you
are able to announce so excellent a beginning towards the ‘Endowment
Fund for the Scholarships of the Liverpool Council of Education,’ the
whole sum required for which I trust you may be able in due course to
announce has been contributed.”
Reverting to other topics, Mr. Balfour writes:--
“The opinion is gathering strength in my mind that Englishmen rapidly
deteriorate abroad, and that they must return home from time to time,
else they degenerate--such a butterfly life as a number of the English
people here get into!
“Thank you for telling me about the Mersey Mission meeting, which I
rejoice was so successful. What a good thing that the Bishop should be
so loyal to this Society, and so regularly occupy the chair, although,
no doubt, he has large claims on his time. I am very glad you kindly
took in hand the difficult duty of representing to Mr. ---- the views and
feelings of Nonconformist friends, at the proposal of virtually making
the Seamen’s Orphanage into a Church of England institution. It has been
Christian and undenominational, as far as possible, in its character
hitherto, and so it ought certainly to remain. I now feel strong hopes
that a satisfactory settlement of the difficulty will be come to.”
Writing from the Engadine in August 1880, Mr. Balfour says:--
“We are fast approaching the time when the Council of Education will
have completed its preparatory work, towards securing the attendance and
punctuality of children at our elementary schools, and providing
endowments for our scholarships. The greatest work remains to be
undertaken, namely, that of improving the training of our
pupil-teachers. We are to take the first step in this by opening the
institution in Sandon Terrace. How would it answer that it should be
managed by a committee, to consist of certain members of the Council of
Education and of certain other friends? While we are at first to provide
for the training of female pupil-teachers, yet let us hope we shall be
encouraged ere long to undertake an institution for male
pupil-teachers.”
It may be mentioned that the School Board having established a college
for the supplementary training and instruction of their pupil-teachers,
the Council deemed it desirable that similar advantages should be
conferred upon the pupil-teachers of the voluntary schools. Towards this
object Mr. Balfour became at once a most generous contributor, and
during a considerable period of great pecuniary need, the latter college
was maintained at his sole expense.
He was very strong in his conviction that the Bible should be read in
all elementary schools, and held that education was not worthy of the
name, which did not take cognisance of the moral and religious side of a
child’s nature. Hence he was intensely desirous, that young teachers and
pupil-teachers should be under moral influences of the most elevating
kind, while their intellectual training was in progress. He believed,
with Hugh Miller, that “education without religion is the world’s
expedient for converting farthings into guineas by scouring.”
It need scarcely be added that when University College, Liverpool, was
projected and commenced, Mr. Balfour took up the matter with enthusiasm,
and was one of its thoughtful and munificent benefactors. The University
was opened in 1882, its first Principal being Mr. G. H. Rendall, M.A.,
Trinity College, Cambridge, and its success from the commencement has
demonstrated its necessity, and has amply justified the most sanguine
anticipations of its founders.