EDUCATION.

Evening Star, Issue 2885, 18 May 1872, Page 3

EDUCATION.

To the Editor. Sir, —Mr J, T. Smith, writing on education, states that nearly connected with the subject is th.t of Protestantism and Popery, as a question of antagonistic principles. The subject of education, which has reference to the exercise and development of all the faculties, include?, as a part of itself, the topics usually considered as belonging to the discussions on Protestanism and Popery, and which relate to the religious direction of the faculties only. But, in reality, the antagonist principles thus expressed, have a far wider significance. Centralization, under any of its shapes, is but one or another form of Popery. It is not speculative opinions or theological dogmas that are here to be spoken of. It is the antagonism of the two grand principles ; the one, that it is the right and the duty of every man to exercise for himself the faculties and the free spirit which God has given him, and that so only he can either prove his love to God or fulfil his obligations to his neighbour; the other, that the minds and souls of men are to be held in subjection to the dogmas put forth or sanctioned by a human priesthood, mortal and fallible like themselves, and therefore that men best show their love to God and best discharge their obligations to their neighbors by letting lie inactive and unused the talents powers and free spirit, which have been committed to their trust. The one principle is active aud vivifying ; the other is passive aud deadening. The one principle is developing;. the other is contracting. The one principle is expansive;, the other is repressive. The one principle is elevating; the other is prostrating. The one pi inciple is promotive of self-reli-ance ;, the other of dependence. The one principle is truly educational; the other is dictative. The one principle embodies the idea and fact of manly freedom ; the other the idea and fact of degrading tyranny. On seeing the above in your paper, another portion of (Smith’s “ Chapter on Education ” will be sent to you. Yours, &c., Freedom, Dunedin, May 17.