THE CHURCH, THE LAND, AND THE STATE.

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 17, 28 July 1892, Page 2

THE CHURCH, THE LAND, AND THE STATE.

TO THK EDITOR OF THE STAU. Sir, — In former ages the church had great political power and made an attempt to domineer over the State. In those days superstition and fanaticism were in the ascendant, but subsequent events, including dessent from the church, have gone to prove that all must become subject to the law. or Government. Representative Government including an Upper and Lower Chamber is a very fair form, provided all sections of the community take an equal interest in, and attain to a proportionate share of political knowledge and influence, according to numbers. Although the church failed in her attempt to rule, yet Christians by acting up to their professions and by the exercise of their voting privilege should contribute to mould the affairs of state, and assist in doing away with the political corruption of the present day, favouring the attainment of a model form of Government ; but dessent leading to sectarianism, is a bane and a weakness among modern Christians. While one section of the church has retained a large share of political influence, and by its trained representatives would assume the function of dictator in state affairs and regain its power over the material interests and consciences of men — sectarianism from a multiplicity of interests, has gone to the other extreme in affairs of state. Some of the new sects, seeing defects in the law and Government, have an idea that they could set up a ruling power of their own, superior to that provided by the state. This is a foolish notion which is very often taken an advantage off by the hypocrite and the imposter. The members of those sects in many cases make little or no use of their votes at election contests. The self seeking of candidates, political bribery and corruption, rise up like an inaccessible mountain before their eyes and from this, along with want of knowledge of political questions, they come to the conclusion that it concerns them very little whither they vote for or against a candidate, and so as a sect they are left virtually without representation. The only place for experimental self -Government by sects, without doing an injury to the rest of the community, Would be in some secluded port or island, but even there it would soon be found that evils would creep in as bad, or in some cases worse, than those they attempted to escape from. I put it down that the great political power that communism, socialism, anarchism, and other isms are obtaining in different parts of the world at present, is in some measure owing tp the apathy displayed by Christian sects in politics. I am, etc., A Colonist.