Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 14 May 1914, Page 34

Notes

Some New Features With a view to still further popularize the N:Z. Tablet as a family paper .we propose to commence in our next issue a serial story by a well-known Irish author. The scene of the story —which is beautifully written is laid partly in England and partly in Australia. Its theme is England’s penal system of a by-gone day; and we believe there is not a reader of the Tablet but will follow the story with absorbing interest to the end. We have also arranged for a regular series of Gardening Notes by a very wellknown landscape gardener of Christchurch; and these will commence next week with an . article on ‘ How to Lay out a Garden,’ to be followed shortly after by practical advice on ‘ What to Plant, When to Plant, and How to Plant.’ In connection with the Gardening Notes we invite our readers who are interested in the subject to forward to us queries on any points on which they require help, and these will be duly attended to by our contributor. We also resume next week, as a means of home recreation for both youths and grownups, the ‘Tricks and Illusions’ column, conducted by ‘ Mahatma,’ which was an interesting and muchappreciated feature of the paper during the winter months of last year. The Dunedin Presbytery and Bible.in-Schools It seems to be part of the policy of the Bible in State Schools League to get the synods, presbyteries, sessions, etc., of the religious bodies associated with the League to pass a resolution calling on the Government to grant a referendum this session, and hinting that if the request is refused the matter will be made a political issue at the coming election. The stereotyped resolution was duly introduced at the meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery. held on Tuesday of last week, but was met.by a decidedly unexpected countermovement when the Rev. James Chisholm moved the following amendment; ‘ Whereas, according to the Divine order, and the experience of the Church in every age, the home and the family circle furnished the first, and by far the best, opportunity for bringing the children to the feet of Christ, that they may learn of Him, and whereas the introduction into the State schools of selections from the Bible to be taught, nob as the Word of God, not as Holy Scripture, able to make the children wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, but as a manual of history, literature, and morals, is from a Christian point of view, a political device of very doubtful utility; this Presbytery regrets that the attention and energies of the Church should be so largely diverted from what is primary and essential in the Divine order and directed to a movement piously designed to make up from outside help for what she has failed to accomplish by her own inherent .power.’ Mr. Chisholm claimed the right, as a minister of the Church, to be heard on the subject ; but that was the last thing the Presbytery thought of allowing. The Rev. Mr, Scorgie hurriedly moved that the Presbytery go on with the next business ; a vote was immediately taken on the proposal; and the closure was duly applied. The effect was that both the original resolution and Mr. Chisholm’s amendment were guillotined; and the intended referendum appeal of the Presbytery had to be dropped.. Trie Question of Cards: What the League Will Not Do At a meeting of the committee of the executive of the National Schools’ Defence League held last week it was unanimously resolved that the following correspondence, which, as the committee truly says, speaks for itself, be handed to the press; National Schools’ Defence ‘ League, Wellington, 24th April, 1914. Canon Garland, Bible-in-Schools’ League. Dear Sir,— find that some people who wish to sign our card entertain scruples about doing so, be-

cause, under a misapprehension, they, have already signed the card of your League. In order that the cards may indicate the real opinions of the signatories, we suggest that both Leagues should publicly announce that they do not consider the signing of the card binding on any person, who, for any reason, has changed his mind on this question. Awaiting the favor of your early reply, —l am, yours faithfully, (iSgd.) Hugh Mackenzie, Hon. Secretary. Bible-in-State-Schools’ League of New Zealand (Dominion Executive office, 235 Lambton quay), 27th April, 1914. Dear Sir, On my return to the office to-day I find your letter of the 24th instant, which I have the honor to acknowledge.- Yours sincerely, David J. Oakland. Professor Hugh Mackenzie, lion, secretary National Schools’ Defence League. National Schools’ Defence League, Wellington, 4th May, 1914. The Rev. Canon Garland, Bible-in-Schools’ League. Dear Sir, —I beg to acknowledge receipt of your reply to my letter of the 24th ult. concerning a suggested public announcement by our respective Leagues. I am unable to gather from your letter whether your League is considering the suggestion, and 1 shall be obliged if you will let me know that this is so, or that your previous reply is final. —l am, yours sincerely, Hugh Mackenzie, Hon. Sec. Bible-in-State-Schools League of New Zealand, Wellington, 6th May, 1914. Dear Sir, — have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 4th instant.—Yours sincerely, David J. Garland, , Organising Secretary. Professor Hugh Mackenzie, hon. secretary National • Schools’ Defence League.