The Bruce Herald. "Nemo me impune lacesset". TOKOMAIRIRO, JANUARY 24, 1879.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 1081, 24 January 1879, Page 5

The Bruce Herald. "Nemo me impune lacesset". TOKOMAIRIRO, JANUARY 24, 1879.

The members 'o£ tie Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland, presently assembled in evinc^ a good many pit'^biera do) that sweet spirit of tolerance for. their own opinions and abusive intolerance of the opinionstof all others, eminently characteristic of such people. Of them it cannot be said, "See how v these Christians love," but rather, "See how these Christians can cordially hatei" As amatter of fact, we do not, under ordinary circumstances, see that the proceedings, of such a body as the Synod can be usefully criticised mi the Press — but ther» ; ;|iir© r exceptions ;<p every- rule; We haWiib 7 'sympathy, for instance, with . parties. who wish to defy-a Synod by remaining ./members of the church, and yet professing tenete repugnant to its creed. Such cases hare been prominent subjects for discussion in Synods before now ;> but to our mind would, have beett 'most easily settled by parties leaving a church with whose, races' ' japd' discipline ' they had no sympathy.' The' inembers ,pf .the Qtagp. and. Southland Synod, however, have forced themselves upon public attention by their^disicussiori pf ; pkiblic Questions, and $^.^<&£pot wonder, Jthen^;if they receh-je puqlic -notice. It is needless to say that ttey have not received, nor are they'liKl^W'receive, that notice from the Dunedic Press. The 'Morning Herald' , is engaged, consequent upon a laudable to - achieve pecuniary succeßß/'in' nmking friends of every i;eligion under tue^'sitjn :bj. )airifig ' the particular prejiidic^s^pju^c^tjrapid,inier > yals..t 1 Ot^g^Dpy^ineii,'; Up ta short time' since, permitted different zealots to fight for; their 'forms of faith, but was ipstaot in ■ cpitdemnation whenM any injiire^the 'geheral 1 w^al;bi^lately^got frightened, jaJa^ in deferpyice .to a deputation of Protestant miniij^fr8 f ! or a denunciation from Bishop Morp^ r^aihs/dfeoreifttly^ silent about' anytb\t»j| ; whicb may annoj^api sebfc, Jis for thq i|yg> f &*&*s% P*P*W* ne V* *°° muoilcoccupied in; collecting looal news, the ; in 'proclaiming its enormous' circtHMdowbd influence, to have any; care

possible that the utterances, of , the Presbyterian, Synod on the questions of secular education and Mr Stout's Otago University Bill might have received attention. As it is, however, they have been severely let alone. And yet they well deserve notice. 'In the first place the Synod have determined that the Bible should bb'read in the State schools of the Colony. Now let us ask them plainly what they mean by this ? They would to a man, we have no doubt, , express . abhorrence at State aid to denominational < schools by which Roman Catholics, or Episcopalians, or Wesieyans, or Baptists, would .receive pecuniary ; help for. . thteir ischools. They are for secular ■_. education which willbe agreeable to Presbyterians. And yet; they want the Biblle ; read in.; schools. That is, they want a version of; the Holy Sciij^tn res, containing much that is repugnant r tb Roman Catholic' ideas read daily in the State .scliooK", and if (?atholics do not choose to attend, Koman Catholics mustsupport their own schools:; Truly this is libe»aJity of feeling. And the language in which the question^ was discussed, the ill-feeling displayed, the horrible accusations burled .. against ; opponents, w^ou|d have better befitted the ceremonial a^Bn auto-da-fe than an assemb'age of professedly tolerant men. We have, been, and always shall be, advocates of secular education, but sooner than see the desire of the Presbyterian Synod carried out, we would revert to denominationalism, at -least will not force upon any class certain tenets of religion to which they may object.'. Let us not be misunderstood. We are not now .writing in any .want of reverence for the Bible. We.are rather writing against those who make it a vehiclo fo; unseemly and unchristian strife : and who would force their own construction of its teacihings down the throats of all who differ from them; ; _As to tLe Synod and Mr Stout's Otago T7niverßity Bill, the langnag^^ulged in by reverend gentlemen, who^profess and . call themselves Christians, was simply . | utterly repugnant. Mr Stout himself, in discussing the subject, was singularly moderate and temperate, and his action in the whole matter is an honest endeavor to purge the Otago University from an objectionable element. Our^eaders know ' pretty well that we are not particular admirers of the hon; the Attorney-General, J and therefore our support of him in this ' matter cann'pt bear the remptest construction of partiality.. But whether, we "supported Mr Stout or not, on the subject of a certain professorial, chair in. our local University, we should utterly repudiate the vile and blackguard manner in which, with all due respect to certain members of [ the Synod, they attacked him.

THRRE is a gentleman in Balclutha, prominent in society, and a powerful member of the fourth estate, who, amongst his admiring friends and intimate acquaintances, rejoices in a euphonious sobriquet. Now, this gentleman was, for some ex ■- traordinary reason or another, entrusted with the task of supplying a list of names of the most'dese'rvingTb^ihbera of the community to deceive in vita bioii tickets ior tlie opening trip v oh the In vercargill line. ',. ,Of course there was no doubt as to who.were the most deserving members of the comniuqity. After the bis? men had been Vet downf this genius had no difficulty in distributing the remainder of the number allotted to* him. He took Up his— -well, paper,, and gazing over its, .advertising columns, he picked out the most deserving gentlemen therefrom . Who could .be more deserving than those who accorded him their support ? The members of the Borough Council should have been invited, but then, you see, if they had been invited, what would have become of those truly deserving ' men who toady to. and 'worships this impartial newspaper champion I To those .members of the Council who were his friends and advertisers, he sent invitations; to those who were neither, he; sent none. "My benefactors/ said this just and upright judge, "are" public benefactors. They deserve a public recognition of their services in supporting nic and my Ipaper." ; Who : had 'earned inbre truly a public recognition .than, ihose.who had given: him the biggest advertisements % What were the Borough Council that they 7 should Vail receive invitations ? There were only a few of the Councillors his friends; why should the others be invited? If he invited the lot some of his own particular cronies would have to go without, and that -would never do. That decided man to whom a public trust had been confided; [Thus decided an individual who was' €?pedted to act in a fair and open manner. ■ ". ". " " „....-. !■•.,'. ;,'..- f;--.^: