OPENING A CONVENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 14, 14 May 1912, Page 5

OPENING A CONVENT.

CONFLICT WITH AGNOSTICISM

(Per Press Association.)

Wanganui, May 13. The ceiemony of formally blessing arid declaring open a new convent was performed this afternoon by Archbishop Redwood, in the presence of several thousand people. In the course of his opening address, the Archbishop said: “In our days, when error is so pretentious and aggressive, everyone must be as completely armed as possible with sound knowledge—not clergy only, but the people also—that they may withstand the noxious influences of popularised irreligion. In the great coming combat between truth and error, faith and agnosticism, an important part of the fray must ho borne by the laity, and woo to them if they are not prepared—especially in our era of popular rights and liberties, when every individual is an active .and influential factor in the body politic. All should bo fitted by suitable training for an intelligent and conscientious discharge of the momentous duties devolving upon them. Can anyone reasonably deny that a sound civilisation must depend upon sound education ? Sound education must develop what is best in man, and make him not only clever, but good. Ouc-sidod education—education with the best part, viz., religion, left out—will develop a oue-s : ded life, and such a life will topple over, and so will any social sjystom that is built on such lines. True civilisation requires that, not only physical and intellectual, but also the moral and religious, well-being of people should be promoted, and at least with equal care.

“Take religion away from the people and morality will soon follow. Morality gone, even physical conditions will, ere long, degenerate into corruption which breeds decrepitude, while the people’s intellectual attainments would only serve to guide them to deeper depthi of vice and error. That iis so glaringly demonstrated in the p-ist that it is amazing that there can bo two opinions about it. Many, unfortunately, say: ‘Let religion be the light and atmosphere of the home and church, but exclude it from the school.’ What folly! Are not childhood and youth the periods of life when character ought especially to be subjected to religious influence? And can wo deny that the school system is

so important a factor in the formation of the character of childhood and youth that its influence often outweighs those of the home and church. Right-thinking men are being forced by reason and experience to recognise that the only practical way to ensure a Christian people is to give our youth a Christian education.”