The Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. CROMWELL: TUESDAY, FEB. 13, 1872.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 118, 13 February 1872, Page 4

The Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. CROMWELL: TUESDAY, FEB. 13, 1872.

The Education Question is again engrossing a large share of public attention, and there is every prospect of a battle of the most determined character between the secular and denominational classes, through their representatives, when next the ques- j tion comes on for discussion in our Provincial and Colonial legislatures. The I education of the youth of the Colony is | one of the most important subjects which our representatives have to legislate upon, and lays open a wide field for consideration and research. The various phases of the education schemes in vogue in different countries and colonies cannot be too carefully studied in the endeavour to acquire knowledge which may be taken advantage of and profitably applied to meet our own requirements ; and we hope that when 1 our politicians again meet in the Council 1 Chamber they will prove that they have ; studied the question in all its bearings i during the recess. We should be sorry to | again witness the bitterly antagonistic feelI ings which characterised the discussion of the question during the last session of the j Assembly, and which gave rise to so much . i unpleasantness and such heartburnings. These are unfortunately only too apt to arise when different denominations are . | pitted against each other ; and it is all the | more necessary that they should be guarded j against as much as possible. We are pained indeed to learn that Dr Moran, - the Roman Catholic Bishop of this Pros vince, still persists in stirring up strife in t this matter ; and that, too, in a manner j most insulting to other denominations of Christians in our community. He seeks —or, rather, demands as a right—aid from the Government in the building and support of Roman Catholic schools, and yet 3 abuses, in the most bumptious and une Christian manner, the very people out of i whose pockets that aid would primarily come In the pulpit he is diligent in exhorting his flock to take their children _ away from the contaminating influence of ; teachers and children who are certainly as a much entitled to be called Christians as himself; and in the “ Pastoral ” which he 'lias issued to his people we find many re z marks most insulting to Christians of othei 0 denominations. Such, for example, is the following :—“ Science and literature have to a great extent, fallen into the hands o: the enemies of religion and Christiar - civilisation, who are endeavouring to mo nopolise education, in order to turn it inu an instrument for the destruction of thai i- Church in which alone men can find salva tion.’’ And, referring to the proposer j system of secular education which was ad vocated by many of our ablest politician last session, Dr Moran says :—“ You inns bo on your guard against secularism ii 1 education. . . . The secular systen 1 » is calculated, and intended b>/ its chief pn 1° Irons, to uproot all Christian and Divim it faith, and erect on i ts ruins stark infidelity. 11 These are most uncalled for, unjust, am r> glaringly untrue accusations. We direc } attention to the words which wo hav , printed in italics. The only inference tha can be drawn from them is, that the gor | tlemen who last session advocated the sc I cular system of education, —gentlemen c 'good standing in society, and many of ther I members of, and regular attendants a , divine worship in, our various churches,- , are infidels, and are endeavouring to d ,n | their best to promote the spread of inf lc ! delify in our midst. Does Dr Moran ca | such palpable untruths as these the uttc

ances of a Christian man? If so, preserve us from such Christianity us possesses. We consider them moat tifiable and wicked assertions, fabricate SEie for the purpose of serving his own of hoodwinking the people of wliom heliai M<r : ) the spiritual charge. Dr Moran is doin' gHua his very best to fan the flame of dissensioi ®em on this question, and certainly will ha* ivery little reason to expect support fromi Government and a people which he so bit terly and so unjustly inveighs against We cannot see that a fairer method that M§g that of meeting Roman Catholics half way M ei and eliminating all religious instructiot from our school curriculum, can be adopted, wH* With the immense power which, the priest hood have over the minds of their flocks we do not think they need fear any tam JL,; peringwith those children of their religioi mtwho may attend purely secular schools. «| Unless they were forced into it by th« jflß fear of the pains and penalties with whicli afe Dr Moran threatens them in the event « their refusal strictly to obey his injunc 1® tions, we do not believe the Roman Catho lie inhabitants of this Province would set JE themselves in such violent opposition t( other branches of the Christian Church If If a secular system of education is here- ®; after resolved upon as that to which tht |»i least objection can be urged on account ol | Vdifferences of faith, and Roman Catholif { i j children are prohibited by their Bishej e: j from attending schools where it may If S' ; adopted, we are sure tnat all enlightened * j Christians will agree with us in sayinc j | that Dr Moran will deserve anything bat ; 1 | the thanks of the people whose interest fw 1 ; professes to have so much at heart. ===== 3 «