THE THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7446, 28 December 1885, Page 3

THE THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE.

TO THE KDITOIt. Sm, —Your issue of the 22nd contains the copy of a circular letter from the Bishop of Dunedin relative to the establishment of a theological college in this diocese. The scheme) it is well lmown, has long been a favourite one with Bishop Nevill, though so little has it commended itself to the lay members of the diocese that it would appear as though the Bishop were himself its sole champion. Apparently he is determined or desirous single-handed to push to i conclusion a matter on which those who presumably are his advisers have on several occasions spoken with no uncertain voice. The columns of a newspaper are not those most suitable for discussing the merits of the case, and I shall therefore content myself with drawing the attention of those who are interested in it to "no or two facts. Already there are no less than threo theological colleges in New Zeaiand, situated in the dioceses of Auckland, Nelson, ami Christchurch. Surely there is not. the slightest necessity to add a fourth to these. Indeed, it would be well for the interest of the Church of England in New Zealand if an amalgamation of the three existing schools could be effected. Such a method would not only introduce a great saving in that teaching power which is now so much squandered, hut would also givo much better results in bringing out men better trained and qualified—n consummation devoutly to be wished. Many of your readers know that in England, where there is an increasing and unsupplied demand for clergymen, there are many institutions of the sort. Even there the arrangements ni'o in many respects unsatisfactory, as anyone may discover who takes the trouble to inquire. What are the special qualifications proposed by the gentleman whom the Bishop has apparently selected for the post of tutor ? I think I am not in error iv saying that the result of inquiries into this important point is to show that he is not entirely fitted for the office with which the bishop would clothe him. He is, I believe, a son of the vicar of St. George's in the East, who years ago was one of first and foremost of those who led the Riatualistic movement, which produced a commotion within thu walls of the English Church so violent that it hRs not ceased to this day. I believe, further, that this gentleman is not a graduate of auy university, indeed has had no university training; and, moreover, that for many years he was engaged in India in entirely secular pursuits. Under these circumstances it does seem inexpedient to proceed further'with a scheme which is neither necessary nor acceptable.—l am, &c, A Layman.

December 24.

—Lord l'almerston once remarked tlwt tho drawbacks ami objections to war aro somewhat mitigated by the fact that it teaches geography to persons who otherwise would never learn it.