SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13544, 17 March 1906, Page 8

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—The trouble in France just now is worthy our attention, for a bill has been passed and put into operation to check the Church from meddling in matters of Stato. We have not far to go to witness the same tcndencv. Only on Tuesday two clergymen were elected as members of Licensing Committees, while another told the electors that" he was glad to retire, as no doubt, he found he was neglecting his own work, I like the clergy in their proper place, and what I am going to say will not bear contradiction: that we have teen taught from childhood to love, honour, and revere men who profess Christianity, and take upon themselves to teach the value of all those beautiful thoughts relating to Christianity, ajid, _as Christians, the influence cf Christian deeds. Their duty, then, is to practically illustrate these teachings by their lives and actions.

I verily believe in the old maxim, "Every man to his own trado." Mr B'astio, of the Tabernacle, told his congregation a little story which bears on this question. After a young minister had preached his first sermon in some State his committee waited upon him the next day, and told him plump and plain, as only Americans can do: "Business is business, A!r So-and-so. You have received a call here to preach, not to lecture on drink, gambling, or d»ncing. We want you to carry out what you have come for aud for which you are going to be paid. Preach Christ and Him crucified."

I am so clad, Mr Hastie, you received a call for Dimedin. I should like an introduction to you, Iwcause I lovo you—l lovo you for the simple lesson you conveyed last Sunday evening, through your congrofration, to your brother clergy. "Go ye and preach Christ cruci6ed, and teach the rising generation to flock to your cathedrals and your churches to hear tho truths of Christianity from your lips, 60 that hearing they may grow up Christian men and women."

And t>9 it enacted that " all these cathedrals and churches shall bo used for no other purpose than divine worship, that all such religious services shall 1» public, and that polities shall be completely cxoludcd. —I am, etc., St. David.