BIBLE-READING AND LAND-JOBBING.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 337, 3 October 1879, Page 17

BIBLE-READING AND LAND-JOBBING.

If the remarks of a Dunedin newspaper concerning the late election in that city are true, the public will have to cultivate feelings of exalted respect for the landed interest of Otago. It appears that the members of that interest are a most pious set of men. The dominion of acres and the piling up of coins are not really the exclusive objects of their attention. The care of souls is one of their strong points. Most people who have seen the prospectus of the Agricultural Company will have been prepared for this. They will recollect the feeling of reverence that crept into their astonished minds as they read that truly noble, generous and almost pious production. They will, therefore, not be surprised that the landed interest of Otago has made up its mind that the Bible must be read in all the schools of the colony. The faith of the people was in danger. Nothing but the reading of the Bible in the schools could save it. And the landed interest, with its accustomed promptness to succour the people, intervened to persuade the people of Dunedin to insist upon the adoption of the necessary remedy. This is really most snselfish. The result of the election has been chronicled in many newspapers, and it has been made the subject of rejoicing by several, including the Dunedin journal which lately so conveniently turned its coat and put on spectacles, which enabled it to see that what it has always taken for white is really a black of a most objectionable shade amongst blacks. But only one journal has devoted any attention to the secret history of the election, secret history is very encouraging to the student of human nature. The landed interest is by this authority discovered to have shut its eyes to Greyism or Liberalism, or any other " ism." It only saw that the people were fainting for want of Scriptural teaching ; sending its agents in all directions it persuaded the people of the fact. Urged on by tbe philanthrophists the Dunedinites flocked in droves to the polling places, and like good, honest fellows as they are, returned tvvo members pledged to Ihe Bible-reading. We have here a charming edifice. The members at the top are standing on the Bible, and that is iv its turn supported by the great lords of the soil. It is really pleasant to see land speculation tempered by affection for the Sciiptuces. We admire the pious combination. We only hop* that it will not become fanatical, fcr fanatical organisations are always irresistible. — Lyttelton Times.

The improvement in the liven trade of Belfast, and the Noith generally, continues, and in linen — both bleached and finished matters bear an encouraging aspect.