CHRISTIANITY AND RELIGION.

Free Lance, Volume XIX, Issue 1029, 17 March 1920, Page 6

CHRISTIANITY AND RELIGION.

A Distinction'with a Difference. THE public has been mildly interested —and mildly surprised—by certain events which have disturbed the tranquillity of the Presbyterian community in Wellington. Briefly, the story is that St. Andrew's Church- is very upset because the pupils of St. ■Margaret's College have been taken away from their accustomed pews at St. Andrew's and led tot St. John's. The explanation, is that the principal of the college is free to' select her place of. worship—which is - also that of her pupils-—and the new principal, who was lately appointed,'prefers St. John's to St. Andrew's, which latter enjoyed the preference and patronage of her predecessor. St. Andrew's took the exodus as a slight to its minister, and dark allegations went the 'rounds that there was a good deal more in the affair than met the casual eye. . However— — • .-v 1 ■

The dispute got into the limelight when, the Presbytery met last week. Much argument was -'heard 1 , and. spirit of much rivalry arid jealousy laid .bare that must have . made the public marvel greatly. One of the speakers Tpmnrked that '' This was not Christianity.'' He was perfectly right, and much nearer the . heart of the whole matter of Church and People than he probably - realised at the time. The worlds- is still strong for Christianity. but it is rather .uncertain of its feelings about religions. Little incidents like the St. Andrew's-St. John's emeuto cause, the ' heathen , to blaspheme. . Let us offer a suggestion lin the spirit of sport and friendliness. It is that the young ladies of St. garet's .College be allowed to worship at St. John's and St. Andrew's turn and turn about—<raie Sunday at St. John's and the next at St. Andrew's.