MR. MILLIGAN AND PROFESSOR MACKENZIE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1681, 22 February 1913, Page 9

MR. MILLIGAN AND PROFESSOR MACKENZIE.

Sir,—l quite, see and appreciate Mr. Milligan's "points." llis first letter was, of course, in exceptionally good taste, and lie naturally resents anything in tho'' shape of the "tu quoqi'le argument"! Tho personal nolo was intended simply to ■bring homo to his "business and bosom" the propriety of doing to others what ho would liavo others do to him. The fact that tho introduction of tho Bible into State schools would make, according to Mr. Milligan, no additional time-demand on tho teacher docs not seriously affect the issue. The essential point is that tho teacher is "required" to give lessons that may ba a direct outrage on his conscience, "and that his services arc to 1m remunerated in part by pcoplo who are conscientiously opposed to such lessons. I am aware that in the many onc-teaclicr-ed and one-roomed schools in tho Dominion Mr. Milligan would throw an educational "bone" of some Isind to tho unforiunato dogs who were exempted from Bible-lessons! Tlioy would have to go into tlio porch or an outhouse .or into tho rain with their "bone" (as Catholic and other children have to do in many parts of New Sont.li Wales), or tlioy would have to worry it in a corner of the room whero the—to them—objectiomiblo Bible lesson was bvim; conducted! How considerate of Jlr. Milligan! If he or I were requiml to give the first half-hour <;f our workingdnv to imparling religious instruction, to which wo conscientiously objected, and for wliicli we were not, when we first entered our respective, employments, "engaged," would we not. resent it?. Would we net call in the aid of a union? Would ws not go on strike? I'crhaps an increas© o; pay would bo some compensation ami consolation for our . outraged consciences! I am saw. Mr. Editor, we would d-aw upon your indulgence in our efforts U improve the education of your readers .'egai-ding our grievance. The Hon. Geo. Fowlda stated in Christ-

church tho other night that ifi tho Bible-in-Schools League got its way, il; .would ontail an outlay of ' .£IOO,OOO a y?ar to tho ratepayers of tho Dominion—not necessarily an additional .£IOO,OOO, bu|: rather that amount of what already goes toward payment of teachers would bo for services rendered nil ecclesiastical combine, and all that "objectors" would got for their contribution to that sum would to Mr. Milligan's makc-believo "bono" or nothing, When Mr, Milligan succeeds in keeping within tho bounds of good tasto in his strictures on my pronouncements, ho will-find mo "playing tlio game."—l am, etc., „ HUGH MACKENZIE. February 19, 1913.. ' THE. DUTY OF THE STATE. ' Sir, Tho attitude of thoso vdio object to tho Bible in schools does net seem to me to bo,-a wise one, unless they thoroughly disbeliovo in Christianity and a life after death. They admit that it is th' 3 duty of tho Stato to consider the welfare of children by giving them im education that-will fit, them to mako' their way in tlio world, during a llfo which averages about forty years in length, but it is to tako ■no steps to educate them ■ so that they may bo fit to enter tho' state after death, which, according to soino estimates,, is to last for eternity. Surely it is unwise to restrict education to.that which is chieily useful now, and neglect tho religious, > which is so far more important, owing to its influence in moulding character and insuring lastilig happiness in tlio hereafter. Many children get religious instruction at homo and at Sun. day school,.but a largo proportion do not ; get any at all, so. that it becomcs tho duty of the State to supply tho deficiency. Neither is it desirable to keep' religion and secular things in separate compartments, for religion is not only for Sunday use, but if it is any good at all, should inspire all one's actions during life. Personally, I do not favour reading the Bible at school, especially if tho teacher is not 'allowed t,o mako comments on it, in tho way of explanation,- but should suggest that persons belonging to tho various •Christian bodies be commissioned to collaborate and bring out text-books on Christianity suitable for very yoifng children, ainlragnin for 'older ones. Surely those who desire children to liavo religious education would not allow their opinions on certain doctrines to prevent them making some-compromise, that would cnablo such a work to bo successfully carried out.—l am, etc., F.T.S. BARABBASAND THE REFERENDUM, Sir,—l liavo already referred to tho ominous silence of the Anti-Bible League, its secret statistics,and secret experiences. Possibly the 6ilcnce is duo to tho difficulty in finding anyone that can bo trusted to prupound principles wliero, there is so much disagreement. The previous lcaguo broke up in a most unhappy state, and one of its'prominent members insisted upon doing a little washing of linen in public, and upon informing us of his differences and consequent resignation; In spite of such disheartening circumstances, however, Professor Mackenzio is at last entrusted with a certain freedom of speech and pen. No doubt he is thus singularly favoured, because, lie is ono of the most cautious of the members, and is the most unlikely to cause the disruption of the league by raising internal dissensions,' Tho Professor attempts to overwhelm us with reasons, and therefore publishes a formidable list of thirty-ono- as a selection, mind you, from a huge catalogue. Perhaps herein lies his weakness. Ho is' liko the fox with a hundred shifts where one good on!o would have been a protection from tlio hounds. Tho length of the list is no doubt duo to tho fear that ho has no one good reason. If so, I agree that the thirty-ono reasons taken separately would all bo broken , down, but am of opinion/further, that their' collcctive strength is only in appearance.' It is impossible in-short spaco to examiue tlicm singly, fo lot us take' tho ono I have indicated abovo as that is placed . near tho last, and is, therefore, apparently regarded as one of ■ tho very strongest. lie tells us "Becauso tlio classic example of a referendum on a religions issue is that known as 'Givo us Barabbas.'" Now, good Professor, it is Barabbas that' w«'havealre^ly,''Ho always ajtolilier, and now libs lieVn r " robbing" us.' 'Heh'co' the loss of our'Bibles from tlio schools. Ho takes away our' greatest treasures lind our complaints are unheeded. Tho Stato encourages his depredations, and herein .is.-worse--than- 'Pilate,- for Pilate would never-liavo, given Barabbas to. tlio people unless he had first given'them their votes; but the State has given this robber to tlio peoplo without allowing tliem cither ths right or, opportunity to. vote. I liavo a serious inkling that Professor MacKen7,ie is deeply apprehensive that were tlio State even now to give tho people their votes tliey would now not demand "Give' us Barabbas," but "Away with Barabbas," and that, therefore as Barabbas has been foisted unon them without their, consent lie is quite .content that tW.ngs should remain as. they aro and the peoplo kept silent and voteless;-! am. etc., v • GRANUM SALIS. • February 19, 1913. ', In the interview with i tlio Hon. 'A. H. Barlow yesterday, a word slipped out of a 6entenco w'hicli should liavo Toad: "There are very few withdrawals, 6n fnr as I know, except l)y tho Roman Catholics, in largo centres." -.