THE RISK OF PAGANISM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13636, 15 April 1908, Page 8

THE RISK OF PAGANISM.

IN NEW ZEALAND BACKBLOCKS

BISHOP NELIGAN S REMARKS

ENDORSED.

In a sermon preached in London last February, Dr. Neligan, Bisjhop of Auckland, made the statement that as a result of secular education in the State schools the country settlors in New Zealand wore in danger of relapsing into paganism. This statement has been challenged in some quarters, but some of the Jetters from correspondents published in the Auckland Herald show that the bishop does not stand alone in the opinion ho expressed. The Rev. W. Gray Dixon, pastor of St. David's Presbyterian Church \yrites : — "Anyone who is at all well-informed as to the religious condition of our back-blocks must know that tho bishop is absolutely correct in his statement. A few months ago, when addressing the general assembly of the church in Edinburgh, I used almost tho s:\inei words. I gave two illustrations; for one of these I was indebted to a retired officer of the Imperial Army, living in a remote township of the Auckland peninsula. This officer v. as distressed at tho neglected condition of tho children of tho neighbourhood in respect to religion, so ho gathered ton of them in a rlas3. Jlo began by asking them if they know what it was to pray. Eight of the ton had not the slightest idea; only ono was in tho habit of praying. The other illustration was given me by the homo missionary of our church in tbn district referred to. Within 12 miles of tho corridor express passing on its ,wny to Rotor'ua, a lady formed a Sunday sohoo! class of 30 children. Sho found tb:it only two out of the 30 had over hoard the name of Jesus Christ. A third illustration cam© to my knowledge only this week. The minister of one of our parishes in tho north rwontly wont on a preaching excursion into tho back blocks. Mooting a smart looking boy on the road ho asked him in tlio course of conversation if ho know about Jesus. "No, who is he?" tlio boy answered, and whon tho minister hogau to toll him something of tho wonderful lifo he. uas startled by a riulo IjiugK "You don't ,rxppct me to believe a yarn liko that?" cried tho boy.