The student, who peruses Lancaster's pamph-
lets, 'will look almost in vain for guidance



LANCASTER 'S GREA T DESIRE. i gj

as to the best methods of teaching, or as to
the right mode of presenting truth to a learner's
mind' ; but the impetus which he gave to popu-
lar education was incalculable ; and he is in
consequence fairly entitled to an honoured place
in the history of education.* Mr. Fitch,, for many
years connected with the Borough Road College,
estimates Lancaster's greatest work in the world
to have been *his vindication of a Christian
and yet unsectarian system of education.' It
was his desire, as we have seen, that every child
in his school should be enabled to read and
understand the Bible, but at the same time, he
carefully abstained from associating religion with
any sect or party. This scheme was not a trick
to secure the support of all parties, but ' it grew
out of the experience of a devout and earnest
man, who, loving his own form of worship with
passionate zeal, loved Christianity and the in-
terests of children more earnestly still.'

* Interesting memorials of Lancaster are preserved at
the Borough Road College, several of his monitors' silver
badges and medals being suspended in the Committee
Room, and an adjoining street has just been re-named in
honour of him.
SAMUEL WILDERSPIN.
