The Evening Star THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1906.

Evening Star, Volume 12869, Issue 12869, 19 July 1906, Page 4

The Evening Star THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1906.

We drew attention quite recently to the disquieting rumors current Patients and \ n regard to the Patients Prisoner*' Aid and Prisoners' Aid Society. Snciftjv Wo did so partly because the matter is one of public moment and partly to enable those who are most intimately associated with the Society to cither affirm or deny the accuracy of our surmises. So far no direct response from the denomination most frequently mentioned in this connection has been made, whilst the old rumors, Trith new additions, continue with regrettable persistency. The charge is, briefly, that the official representatives of the Presbyterian Church, .in purs-nance of a policy which, though commendable in itself, was unfortunately avowed in terms that leave room for amendment, are about to enter, or are considering the desirability of entering, upon an aggressive campaign of social and religious work. Nothing but praise could be given to such a decision were the public and the members of nonPresbyterian churches fully acquainted with the lines along which the attack is to be made. In the absence, however, of any authoritative information, a good deal of pardonable anxiety has arisen, and the assertion has been made that societies and institutions for which the community have an affectionate regard, and in which all denominations are personally interested, are to be reorganised, or changed, or abolished, as a condition precedent to the Presbyterian reformation. We cannot vouch for the correctness of these statements; but we can guarantee the prevalence of their acceptance. For our own part, we are loth to believe that the Presbyterian Church, powerful as she is and dear as her history and labors are to the hearts of thousands of our fellowcolonists, can be seriously contemplating a policy that will not only eventuate in the disruption of many useful and truly blessed organisations, but will introduce in our midst the least pleasant of those ecclesiastical and sectarian disputes which so far it has been our privilege as well as our duty to do without. We fail to see how the patriotic citizen can regard without a shudder even the possibility of the entry into Dunedhr of a policy the certain fruits of which are bitterness and division. We suggest, therefore, that an end should be put to a situation which (as it stands) is not conducive to a continuance of that open aud frank communion of the various religious denominations in the cause of social reform which has characterised their relations in the past. As a step towards a solution and u settlement, we suggest that the Committee of the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society should meet at an early date, and that they should make arrangements for calling a public meeting of all subscribers. Then the whole position could be reviewed, and the attitude of that Church whose assumed policy is in quostion can be definitely and unmistakeably made clear. We feel confident that the general body of citizens will regard with strong disfavor any action that mav tend to the weakening of the Prisoners' Aid Society. In this connection it would be as well if steps were taken to secure permanently the services of M r Axelsen, who has been specially trained for his delicate and exceptional work under the kindly eye of that faithful servant in well-doing Mr J. A. Torrance.