THE GRANT TO THE MOUNT MAGDALA ASYLUM.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1095, 24 February 1893, Page 42

THE GRANT TO THE MOUNT MAGDALA ASYLUM.

PROTEST BY THE PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY. A strong protest was made by the Presbyterian General Assembly on Monday against the aotioa of the Government in granting the sum of £SOO in aid of the Mount Magdala Asylum, near Christohuroh. The subject was introduced by the Rev Dr Elmslie, who said that he had not one word to say against the institution. It was a place entirely in the hands of the Chnroh of Rome, and it was not snbjaot to any publio inspection, Government or otherwise. He did not cherish any unkindly feeling toward the Churhh of Rome, nor had he any suspicion as to the oonduot of the institution, bat sometimes they had heard of css s In which money had been granted for certain purposes, and then they found that this money had been devoted to other purposes. He would ask the Assembly to protest against the action of the Government because It involved a principle that the Church recognised, and which all New Zealand Parliaments and Governments had reoognised on all occasions, a principle which required them to call attention to the inexpediency of the Government of the Colony devoting publio money to any one ecclesiastical body. It was exceedingly undesirable that in this free country they should sanotion the Government of the day devoting money to any one denomination in the land. He then moved, 1 That this General Assembly lodge a very emphatic proteet against the action of the present Government in bestowing a grant of £SOO on the Magdala Asylum, which is a purely denominational Institution, and is not subject to any publio inspection, either Government or other, and that thia protest be lodged on the ground that it Involves the violation of tho important principle of religious equality, which should be strictly adhered to in the administrations of the public affairs of the Colony, and that an extract of this minute be sent to the Government, and that the Moderator be requested to send a copy of this minute to some member of Parliament who will bring the matter before the House ’ The Rev G. Webster (Christohu'cb), who seconded the motion, said he had heard that a similar application from St Xavier’B Guild, Christchurch, was to bs made to the Government. They were both good institutions, bnt entirely denominational. The Government had no oontrol over them. It was the thin end of the wedge, and the granting of money to l atholic institutions would be followed by aim lar grants being made to Anglican institutions. These grants would increase over the land, and it showed that the priaoiples of religious eqnality had not been exhibited in this country by the Government. The Rev C. 8. Ogg thought it was a great pity that the discussion had commenced, because it would be attributed by the publio of New Zealand to elerioal intolerance and jealousy. (No, no.) ies it would. He was very glad that the Government had treated the remonstrance of the Baptists in the way they had. Was the establishment of an institution by the Roman Catholio Church for the purpose of rescuing unfortunates from a life of vice, a destruction of tho principles of religious equality ? He was astonished to hear such a thing. It was not a question of religious equality, but going to the relief of poor auffering humanity, and trying to deliver those who bad been tempted and had strayed from the paths of virtue. He was very glad that the Church of England proposed to follow the example of the Roman Catholics and apply to the Government far a grant, and he hoped that the'Government would give them what they asked for. And he woujd like to see the Presbyterians engaged In the same charitable cause. In a case like this they should lay aside all religious feeling, and go upon a platform of oornmon humanity, and help those who were downfallen, and endeavour to restore peace and happiness to broken hearts and blasted lives. If they passed this motion he would enter his protest, and he concluded by saying, ‘I hope that Mr Ballanoe, when your proposal and protests ocma hofore him, will give you the answer you deserve.’ The Rev Mr Thomson (Palmerston North) referred to Mr Ogg’a speech os ‘ drivel and humbug,’ and he did not wish to hear another speeoh like it in the Assembly. The Moderator (Rev W. Gillies) said he could not allow an expression of that sort. He must oall tho rev gentleman to order. Ihe Re? Mr Thornton said ha would

withdraw his previous remarks, and substitute ‘the very peculiar and- antiquated views of Mr Ogg.’ The Moderator then put the motion, which ho declared carried ou the voices, the Rov Mr Opg entering his dissent in a loudly proolaimed ‘ No.’

The Moderator : The motion is carried. The Rev C. 8. Ogg : My ‘ no ’ will be quite as influential as your ‘aye.’ The Rev Mi Hall said that surb oonduot wa3 not in keeping with the spirit of the Supreme Court of the Church. They must protect the ohair. The Rev Mr Ogg : I beg your pardon. I withdraw that, Moderator. He added that he would like his disseut entered. Tho Moderator said this would be done. The motion was then entered on the minutes as carried, the Rev Mr Ogg being the only dissentient.