“We presume it to be agreed on both sides, that the outcast millions ought to be reclaimed from the ignorance and irreligion of heathenism. The only difference relates to the party at whose expense this great achievement ought to be perfected —whether by private Christians, under the impulse of a religious benevolence; or by an enlightened government under the impulse of a paternal regard for the highest weal of its subject population. We, the advocates of a National Establishment, hold it the duty and wisdom of every state, thus to undertake for the education of the great family under its charge, and to provide the requisite funds for the fulfilment of the enterprise—and this without prejudice, but the contrary, to the liberality of those individuals, who might choose of their own means to build more churches, and maintain more ministers—thus adding to the amount of Christian instruction in the land. Our antagonists on the other hand hold this to be only the fitting work of individuals, whether acting separately or in associated bodies—to be their concern, and theirs exclusively; and that the government of a country should have nothing to do with it” (Chalmers, Works 17:258-59).
West Port Experiment 