HEALTHY SIGNS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 63, 11 July 1874, Page 7

HEALTHY SIGNS.

Auckland, June 9. De Wallis, a Presbyterian clergyman, proposes to lecture to-morrow in tho Mechanics' Institute againsb Education Rates, and a purely Secular Education. It is strange to see how the most violent, and no doubt the most sincere, enemies of the Catholic Church often come by sheer force of circumstances, and in spite of themselves, to work in her favor. Dr. Wallis is a case in point. He has lectured vehemently and often of late against the Papacy. Yet he now comes forward as a leader, and a very able leader he is, to protest against that system of Secular Education — for which the Catholic Church entertains so pious a horror; — a horror in which he fully participates. We know not as yet with certainty to what extent Dr. Wallis's sentiments in this respect may be shared by the Presbyterians as a body generally in this town. Certain it is that another Presbyterian clergyman, a Dr. Bruce, has stood on-the same platform with Dr. Wallis to defend the existiug Education Act of this Province. Dr. Bruce argues that Government Schools under that Act are not in practice purely Secular or godless schools. They are, he contends, really religious or denominational schools, in as much as " out of school hours" any religious knowledge may be taught. This is plausible, but plausible only. By this arrangement religion is put in the back ground. Children are very quick to see what is highly valued, and what is little or not at all valued. When they see religion pushed aside in this way, and sternly forbidden during the most important period of. tho scholastic day, they must be led to think it is a thing of but small or no account, of very little or no value indeed. The school, in fact, is, by this arrangement, deprived of any visible religious character; there is no religious tone about it ; and the children must regard it as a god!e3s or a graceless place. No mistake about that. The school has no visible religious character ; of co ai'3e the mother has none. When religion is only taken up at the bi» end of the day's work, or for a littlo before the day's be^ina, what respect can tlae children have for it ? It does seem surprising how Dr. Brace, or any other clergyman, oan consent to religion being placed in the very subordinate, not to suy humiliating, position, which our. Secularizing Education Acts place it. Dr Willis, with the Catholic Church, considers these Government Secular duuooi*

dangerous to Christian faith, likely to engender aud encourage infidel Tiews in the long run. He is a cool hand ; a clear-headed man, and likely to make a strong impression on the public mind if lie will only persevere. He is a thorough Scot. Pity you had not such a one in Dunedin.