THE REV MR JORDAN AND MR S. L. CLARKE.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 103, 27 August 1873, Page 3

THE REV MR JORDAN AND MR S. L. CLARKE.

* TO THE EDITOB. Sie, —I am not surprised at the numerous correspondence after my letter of Wednesday, but I expected it would have been higher in tone and more to the point, which everyone has avoided. My object in this is to explain the attendant circumstances, which will account for the appearance of my protest in print. My first impulse, after hearing the sermon, was to rise to my feet and address a few words to the congregation before dispersing, knowing the delicate position we were in with regard to the building; but I as quickly felt it might appear indecorous. I therefore went privately to Mr Jordan after tbs people had left, not in a“ dictatorial,” but in a friendly spirit to speak to him. I had a claim on hia attention as chairman of School Committee, one of the Church Committee, and experienced as the longest resident among the people. I commenced by saying he had made a great mistake about the Bible being taught in school, for the mistress had been, until lately, in the habit of spending haif-an-hour of her own time reading the Bible with the Protestant pupils. But he said, “ That is not in school hours.’’ JSe was offended, and would not hear another word. I felt compelled to publish the rest when I heard oa Monday of the light in which his censures on the school applied locally. For instance, one roan was heard to make this cruel remark—“ That was into her ” (meaning the mistress). Another person, replying to a question, « But does not she teach the Bible ?” answered, ” They won’t let her.” With these and other facts of a different nature before me, which cannot be published, if Mr Jordan were Archbishop of Canterbury I would protest against the teaching of the _ district schools of this province, and our own in particular, being termed ungodly. (See the reading books adopted.) We are far too weak as a Christian community to afford to be stirred up by strife, or split into parties, sects, and denominations. Most people know my feelings, and Mr Jordan has often heard me so express myself.

Mr Ed C umbo a P ri ‘ n «tfordt° it. “m! 1 ,; bor:!<> ' nn<i l**oplq We fiS Ured of of (Ho p cm —you are ferule the mark. “ Uuo i-\ j•> ' O, grogation”—tho >«no«b of “ Tommy , r i:ro ' l ; ! > a ContiiwnUl {tea, ‘ A Resident” ** Sif . ” Eillingsgafe, without the oaths. Jj -ymr philosophy is too profound. • 1 p Eli tor, I thank you for the space you havo gi'en ass. This fo m y last. —I am, &c., . S.iMVKt It. CrJOIES. August 23, lato.