WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 169, 23 June 1876, Page 13

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

I have often since my last letter, contemplated writing to you in reference to several incidents which have occurred in Wellington, but somehow I have neglected doing so. An occasion has now occurred, however, which demands it. The zealous and deservediy beloved Bishop oi Wellington, the Right Rev. Dr. Redwood, has recently introduced the Christian Brothers into this city, but in consequence of the action of the Education Board in severing all connection with the Roman Catholic body, there was no school for them to teach in. Resolved to thwart the aims of the tyrannical and oppressive measure which excludes religious teaching from the schools, Dr. Redwood convened a meeting of the Roman Catholics in the Cathedral on last Sunday afternoon, for the purpose of pro-

viding for the maintenance of the Christian Brothers. No words can express the enthusiasm which characterised that meeting, or the munificence of the donors towards the erection of a suitable school and residence for the Christian Brothers. Of the speeches delivered and the resolutions which were unanimously agreed to, I have nothing to say, as you will, of course, have all these from your exchanges. The practical part of the business is what I intend to give you an idea of. After the speeches were over, and the resolutions carried amidst the greatest applause, the Bishop announced the result of a preliminary meeting which had been held on the Thursday previous. The chosen, few who had attended that meeting had subscribed the munificient sum of .£500 ; £b 0 appearing before the names of His Lordship, Dr. Eedwood, Walter Johnston, Esq., M.H.R., P. A. Buckley, Esq., James O'Shea, Esq., Caarles Johnston, Esq., and Dr. Grace, and other sums varying from that to .£lO before the names of many of those present. This announcement elicited tremendous applause, and on the Bishop inviting those present to enter their names on the subscription list, there was an evident eagerness visible, which almost amounted to a rush, towards the tables where the names were received, and in less than ten minutes names had been entered for a sum considerably over .£llOO. Every man of any standing at all gave .£lO, working men £5, and servant girls .£1 and JJ2 each, while little boys and girls were seen coming up with their shillings, five shillings, ten shillings, &c, and handing them in with their names, until almost every one present had given his mite. This was the result of the first meeting, and, of course, as every one will understand, scarcely half those who will eventually subscribe attended, and consequently very probably as much more is forthcoming. This, indeed, is gladsome tidings for Catholics througho ut the colony, if not the whole world, for it speaks of the truth and purity of the motives which actuate the Catholic heart, and flings defiance in the face oi the tyrannical government which would fain rob them of that religion for which their forefathers (for they are almost all Irishmen or their descendants) so frequently bled. There is no doubt about it, but the aim and end of this exclusion of religion from schools is the suppression of the Catholic religion, or, at least, the diminution of its influence, and if there is anything on earth which would eradicate it from the heart of an Irishman, it is the secular method of teaching. Ido not make this assertion through recklessness of what I say, but because it is my conviction. I have seen a little of the world, and my experience is this, that in Ireland where children were educated at monasteries and nunneries, invariably they turned out good, dutiful, and religious sons and daughters, while, on the other hand, those who were indifferently educated, turned out indifferent in their conduct. In support of tliis assertion, I could point out many instances, but I think that is quite unnecessary, as no man of common sense will deny that the impressions made in early life will tend very much to form the char icter of the future man. Education is not a contrivance to form an operative, but a means of developing all that is noble and good in human nature, and, therefore, it should be based on sound principles, having morality and religion for their groundwork. Without being so it is incomplete, an essential element is omitted, and the consequence is that a re^ardlessness of the eternal weal is cultivated, truth and justice are unknown, and every othjr attribute which tends to raise the tone of human nature is crushed out, and man becomes a mere animal, thinking of nothing but self and the things of this earth. Alas, how often do I meet with such people, even among those who call themselves Catholics. Almost daily do I meet with Catholics who would tell me one religion was as good as another, and would blush to refrain from a breach of the precepts of the Church . This is certainly chargeable to their early training. If the true spirit of Catholicity had been infused into their minds when youiig, their ideas concerning it now would be quite different. They would acknowledge no other religion its equal, and would glory in its possession. I say, therefore, that it is duty of Roman Catholics to struggle untiringly against all hinderances, and obtain tor their children a sound religious education. To do this will in the end conduce to their own as well as to their children's happiness, for on the conduct of the children depends in a great measure the happiness of the parents. The Catholics of Wellington seem determined upon this course, and with the aid of tueir zealous clergy and the Christian Brothers, there is nothing to hinder their success. I sincerely trust that in time, similar institutions will be in every town in New Zealand. — Yours, &c, Hibernico.