UNKNOWN.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 9456, 21 July 1881, Page 3

UNKNOWN.

t'h^idSveM^V; :i ! n ;«; the students ,-i-rM Wm m t!lc ' University of e hi l"und«B m . ul - v lht : li «-. Professor nf thriv poißiiflß '" on tllc general m the positKM, lsU , r! , au(l elderSj dele _ -WtnUfriB "eiphiii, Tvere most likely o consider, al^m l t P ,-f <i, n i i , Ci " l » rtiou but theH|™ '/ ] > and .use, which W^ 1 TSteTflS ™ 7 O^S!fc;^ intention to "M,,.,,!,,,,, , , ', L lue 2 GovemmentM 1 ; f L ; ;^ d less than a vl-in«- this tflW V ™ liln Catholic i wTiv dlß',' " '' ll:l ' t so vapid as j-, +it ««BR ' admission , ii.j Tailt JT^Bie subnittc-d, quite conic was not wcognitiou ot the fact :iot believe anisni had , Q it for the Ml .uocc-fnl history in

for good. As proving this contention, the lecturer pointed out that the strength and influence of the Presbyterian Church in America was mucl: greater than the mere number of itf adherents indicated, because of the energy and position of the men connected with it, and the high character of itf ministers ; and then, as explaining the more rapid progress of other Churches, he added that the greater growth of the | Baptist and Methodist bodies was_ jusi what might have been expected, inasmuch as the systems of these Churches were better adapted for the work oi Christian pioneering than that of a Presbyterian Church, which insisted on its ministers having a sufficient and proper training, and in regard to which it might be said that it could not be brought forward as the Church of the nation or the Church of the poor ; or as a proof that Presbyterianism succeeded best when it acted on the voluntary principle. (Laughter and applause). Having next given it as his opinion that what was necessary for American Presbyterianism was the institution of a fund on the principle of the sustentation scheme of the Free Church of Scotland, he said that, having heard so often in this country that the obstacle in the way of the union of the Churches was tne existence of an Established Church, he had felt some curiosity as to what could be learned in America in relation to this question. Certainly, whatever was the cause, the prospects of union in Scotland were not at present very bright — but he was sorry to say they were not brighter in the United States. Almost all the ecclesiastical divisions of the Old "World were perpetuated there, and some new ones had been originated.. (Laughter). There were ten kinds of Baptists — (laughter) — eleven denominations of Methodists, and ten divisions of Presbyterianism. (Laugteer). He rejoiced to see both in Scotland and in America the growth of a desire for a union of the Churches, but he confessed to have very serious doubts as to whether there were not divisive forces at work in both countries at least as powerful as the unity forces that were in operation, and he certainly had not heard anything in the United States calculated to make him believe that disestablishment would be a cure for ecclesiastical divisions. (Cheers). In conclusion, Professor Flint gave it as his opinion that, while the growth of Boman Catholicism in the State was in many respects a very serious matter, the most serious question both in the civil and religious politics of America was as to whether or not Christianity was to be taught in the State schools.

Spiritual Profanity.— A good story comes to us from America. A spiritualistic seance was being held, at which it was announced that the spirit of William Shakespeare would pass through the room. A sceptic took a handful of tin tacks to the meeting place, and quietly sprinkled them over the floor. The solemn moment came, aghostly form entered, and took a noiseless stride forward. There was a slight shiver in the white object, and a muttered noise was heard ; a second step followed, not qtiite so stately, and another muffled ejaculation; but at the third stride Shakespeare's disembodied form sat plump down upon the floor, and swore like the British army in Flandors. — Tableau !