Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1938, Page 4

is a . man of, 50 who puts letters behind his name which indicate cer-, tain attainments in knowledge, writes, ‘■(Quintus Quiz” in the Christian Century. At tiie age of 20 he knew enough mathematics or science or modern languageVto merit those letters. Does he know enough now ? What has he been doing in those 30 years? Does that preacher who once knew enough Greek to. paiss.an examination in . the text of tile Mew Testament know enough today ? ; Do all doctors of divinity know divinity; whatever that may mean? : Docs education in its early stages need the discipline of examinations, and afterward, not ? Education we agree is/a lifelong process. We have all said this countless times in articles arid address. Well, then,, if. examinations are necessary iiri the early stages of education, liow does it happen that they are no longer necessary in the later? There is a serious danger in thinking, that- the careful and precise reading of a book belongs to youth;- and that, youth being over, we need no censor to test us, no fear of an examination to keep us to the mark. For one thing, it gives a man his final classification much too soon. The fact that he knew certain tilings (it 20 ought not to secure for Irinka place of honour when he is 50. I have no precise suggestions to make. The pallor caused by. this letter may leave the cheeks of indignant readers. I do not want to drive divines into unearthing their Hebrew grammars. But I do think that in my own interest it would be a good thing if I had to prepare for an examination-- once more.