RELIGIOUS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 957, 4 July 1890, Page 6

RELIGIOUS.

PREJUDICE AGAINST JEWS. Is the foundation of this social prejudice against the Hebrew, of snoh a nature that it can be removed ? Is it a result of Christianity that can be obviated by different teaching ? It is impossible to enumerate and weigh all the influences that have wrought for centuries to produce the race feelings that prevail between Gentile and Jew. It is possible, however, to note some important elements in the problem, and also to answer in some measure the query, * Can you suggest what should be done to dispel existing prejudice ?’ We are confident that Christian teaching in general for many generations has been altogether favourable to a high regard for the position and character of the Jews as a nation. At the present hour, the sacred oraoles of the Jews are held in more esteem among Christians than they are iD many of the most influential synagogues. For centariea it has been laboriously taught in all Christian centres that the crucifixion of Christ was the work of human unbelief and sin ; that the rejection of the Saviour by the Jews was typical of His rejection by all who did not aocept Him and His mercy. During the three hundred years in which the Bible has become the most widely read and studied volume in the world, it has exercised a powerful ..influence in mitigating the traditional hostility to the Jews, which has so often manifested itself in bitter persecutions.—New York Observer.

THE REREDOS AT ST. PAUL’S. Another representation, initiated by the Church Association under the Pnblio Worship Regulation Act, as to the Reredos in St. Paul’s Cathedral has been lodged with the Bishop of London. The promoters are Sir C. Robert Lighton, Bart., Major-General C. J. Godby. Mr Richard Nugent, and Mr; Robert Fleming. The representation sets) forth, with regard to the image of the * Madonna ami the Crucifix, that they have, 1 in fact, encouraged ideas and devotions of an j unauthorised, idolatrous, and superstitious ) kind ; also, that the setting up of the said 1 images tends to bring about, and has, in fact,' brought about, breaches and violations of the 22nd Article of Religion, and the promoters are prepared to establish this by evidence and otherwise.—Rock. A NEW RELIGION. At the meeting of the London School Board recently Mr Stewart Headlam brought forward a motion to rescir d the resolution of March 8, 1871. This resolution directed the Bible to be read in the schools provided by the Board, and such explanations and instruction in the principles of religion and morality to be given therefrom as were suited to the capacities of the children, due provision being taken for the operation of the conscience clause. It seems strange that such a motion should proceed from a priest of the Church of England, but Mr Headlam argued that in his action he was in no way hostile to the Bible or religion, but that he believed the instruction which was given in Board schools was detrimental to Christ’s religion and prejudicial to a light understanding of the Bible, Ho therefore wished to get rid of that instruction altogether. He objected to the Bible being made a text-book of a meagre, inferior, and false sort of religion, and he pressed the late Lord Beaconsfield Into his service by quoting that Btatemen’s oracular prophecy that the Elementary Education Act would establish a new religion—a School Board religion. Mr Headlam considers that thi3 has been fulfilled—that a new religion has been established ; and he thinks it a very bad religion a debased and jelly-fish form of Protestantism. The motion waa seconded, and Mrs Besant naturally supported it; but when the subject had been threshed out and the members voted on the previous question which Mr Bristow, of Lewisham, moved, only two were found in the minority. A motion thus summarily dealt with is rot likely to be seriously raised or debated again for some time to come, but its subject matter Is one which nearly concerns the highest interests of our children and the responsibilities of ratepayers ail over the country.Church Review. CARDINAL LAVIGERIE AND CARTHAGE. The ancient See of Carthage is bursting into, new life, full of hope for that dark continent on whioh the eyes of ambitions European statesmen are now so constantly fixed. And Carthage is promising because it is under the jurisdiction of a OFelate who for activity may, without irreverence, be compared to title grettb Saint——-Augustine of Hippo. Six years ago, when Leo XIII. restored to Carthage the dignity of an archiepiseopal see, he advised the erection of a cathedral church, in connection with which a canonical chapter could be held, and he also urged that a seminary should be provided for the education of the clergy. Since that time Cardinal Lavigerie has done the work of a soore of men in promoting the anti-slave crusade throughout Europe, but. despite all this, there has been no inaction in his diocese. The Chapter of Canons has been appointed, the seminary opened, and the cathedral built on the hill of Byrsa, fiom which Carthage first received its name.—Catholic Times.