TO THE CLERGY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6000, 9 February 1881, Page 6

TO THE CLERGY.

[run FAVOUR OF TIIE XEW ZEALAND HERALD.] ■ Reverend Sirs, —A few days ago I wrote a letter to the Herald on the religious education question, and it ai'oused a good deal of attention. Some of our fellow-citizens have expressed their approval of it, and offered me money to defray any necessary expenses in furtherance of our movement. One gentleman, a comparative stranger to me, lias written and promised £10 a-year to sustain the cause which you have at heart. A nobler cause you could not espouse than cultivating the spiritual faculties and nurturing the spiritual life of the rising generation. I contended that you can do this successfully in spite of the present Education Act, if you will first summon the laity to help you; secondly, interest parents more in their children's welfare ; and, thirdly, systematically set to work to adapt yourselves to the present state of things. Now, is it wise to fly in the face of a united phalanx of secularists, and insist on a new Education Act before we have fully and fairly tried the present one? It 'is my sincere and deep conviction that we ought to try it, and that success will attend our .efforts ; but if, after a fair trial, we fail, we should have the sympathies of those who now oppose us, and then you will have a united, determined, and zealous following to procure a new Act. Our daily papers seem disposed to lookwith favour on such a movement, and we ought not to ignore even the slightest support. You have failed hitherto because the laity have not backed you up sufficiently ; and the laity have failed to support you, not because tliey are less concerned about the young than you are, but because you have not put a definite course of action fairly before them. Nov, 111 spite of being voted a bore, I bog respectfully to urge the following reasons why you should come to the front, aud lead the laity in this arduous undertaking. It will be hard work, and only those who have the valour of Gideon's little band will stick to you amidst the sneers of scoffers, the frowns of obstructionists, the whines of the weak-liearted, aud the general discouragements of the work. But a sufficient number will stick to you to the last, to prove to the public, either that the Act is workable, or that we deserve to have it made workable. 1. You have said a great deal about this question till people actually suspect your sincerity, but your friends still trust you, and are not only willing, but anxious to be led by you. 1. Some of the laity have responded to my letter in such a practical way by the offer of money, and other help, that you. will never again be able to commence the work vrith sucli advantages if you do not seize this opportunity. 3. One of our members of Parliament, who is opposed to us tooth and nail, told me that if we do try, and fail, he believes that all classes would fairly consider whether the weak point could be rectified to ensure us success. 4. You are our natural and recognised leaders in such a movement. 5. You have the ability, - the desire, and it is your avowed duty to teach religion. 6. You have the respect and confidence of all the parents, except some whom angels from heaven would not satisfy. 7. You can command numbers of men and facilities which no other men in the community can command, and by your special study and habit of mind you are best qualified to lead. S. You could supplement our efforts in the schools by having short morning or evening services for children in the. churches—saj% twice a week. 9. You are the men who have received special gifts for ''the edifying of the body of Christand, in the words of a recent writer, "it is needless to remind you that the responsibility which originates in the possession of such gifts makes the Divine endowment the necessary condition of true service." These are the reasons, which I most respectfully submit, why you should Step into the front rank and lead us into action. A friendly critic said recently of the clergy : " When they take their right place in the world, and come to the front instead of standing in the rear, and casting away their motto of ' silence,' put on the whole armour of God, then we shall be strong ; for the good of every creed will be on our side attracted by the light; and the sick and weary will come attracted by the warmth ; and the tempted and perplexed will draw nigh, led by the power which is,in our midst, even the ' Light of the World,' who will then be with us, to scatter and destroy all the dark shadows of death and hell." The darkest shadows cast upon the present and future of this fair colony are caused by the religious ignorance aud indifference of the rising generation. Then what shall be done? We wait upon your word. If you speak the right word, a hundred sincere Christian men and women will railv round you and dauntlessly share your toii, mockings, and discouragements ; but if you remain silent or speak out of season you will lull some into apathetic stupor and drive others to fight the battle without you as best they can in their rough-and-ready way. I would deplore the latter alternative, because it would culminate in sullen revolt against spiritual authority and you would never regain your sway. Secular education is alienating the rising generation from you, and if

you a-patient,-rievereht, 1 travel and submissive, laity, you will, unintentionally, do an irreparable injury to your most cherished cause. Assuring you that I have not intended one w.ord to be offensive or disrespectful, I am, Reverend Sirs, yours re : spectfully, . F. G. Ewi^'gtox.