Clericalism in Politics. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 58

Clericalism in Politics. TO THE EDITOR.

Srn, — It rr.ay seem sti&r.ge, jot tlip leading of the article "Clericalism m Politics,'' by Mr J". MacGrcgor, M.A.. put me .it once in mind of Kipling's short sketch, "City of Dreadiul Xjght." Those who have s.vdiecl the history of Arglo-Saxins are pretty well agreed that their gnt and push are duo to' the blending of various races, while their character is dti" to their acceptance of Bible precepts as their mcial code. (This applies wherever AngloSaxons are found now.) It is mainly to character that we owe our national stability. Without character, push and grit have no foundation to rest on, and must eventually fail. As our national character is based on Bible precepts, it is surely national suicide to cut Bible instruction om of otir public or national schcoi curiicttlum. The want of &uch instruction 13 making itself felt in !\ew Zealand. The signs clo not require to be pointed out to any one watching public events of vaiious sorts. As in the "City of Dreadful Isight," ~e can get a '"whiff of the stink." It seems that the leaders among the Japs recognise that hitherto the stability of Anglo-Saxons has been, on account of the Christian religion, and the other day a meeting was held in Japan afc which the choice of a national religion -was discussed, the Christian religion, it appears, coining in for high recommendation. Should Japan adopt the Christian religion, we may rest assured she will be thorough enough to have Bible precepts taught in her schools. We may have a lessoa to learn from the small yellow brainy man. In our present social condition our State takes charge of om- children from early morning till evening, claiming their full brain power the while. Each day. while the brain is fresh and vigorous, tbe precepts that go to character formation should bs inculcatedOtherwise national decay is inevi'able. — I ami etc., It. D. Southland, June 16. On Sunday two eons of Mr Richard Forde and tho .^on of llrs Coyl-e were out at Otautau shooting with a pea-rifie at a target fixed to a fence. The two Fordes* had gone to examine the target when young Coj-le picked up the rifle and fired it, thebullet striking the fider Forde in the leg and lodging at the bock of the thigh. Tho wound is not a dangerous one, but the injured lad was =evt to the Riverton Hos-p-ifcal to have th? bullet extracted. — Southland Time?.