ARTIMAS AND DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1728, 3 September 1879, Page 2

ARTIMAS AND DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION.

To the Editor of the Globe.

Sib,— At the list of again causing some surprise to my friend “ Artimas,” I will ask the favor of occupying a little more of your valuable space, promising to be as brief as I possible can, since I know that every line brings to him additional troubles, especially es there may be as yet no ready reckoner which could assist him in the tedious task of counting the lines. But if “Artimas ” com* plained of the length of mine, I must certainly exclaim against the obteurity of his. Some of his statements are so hazy, whether intentionally or otherwise, that one is often at a loss to discover his meaning. It may be one of bis tricks to decoy his opponent into the dark, and there seek the triumph of victory. He bus something on bis mind about a “political Church,” and, to show that there is such, he brings forward an instance, which, ! suppose, has been made suitably vague, in order that he may have a loop-hole to escape, should anyone declare it to _be false. Ho says —“ On Monday, the X7th inst., the priest from his altar told his flock not to pledge their vote to anyone till a certain time, &c.’* A, “ A.*-;™,,,,,” Uy AUIb -fylo of Writing, may mean some priest and some altar at the otherside of the (world, I cannot deal with bis words in the strength of any definite meaning which they convey. But if “ Aitimas w alludes to the Catholic Church in Christchurch, I will take on myself to say that such a statement is untrue.

B Ho thinks that if I had said, “ The Church s protested against anyone being taught even f to read or write their own name,” I would L have hit the mark. Well, as drawing on the 7 imagination seems to be a necessary resistant , for directing one’s aim, I have not the least . ambition to become so expert a marksman as my friend “Artimas.” No doubt the prize is well worth the practice. The Hon. Mr Sheehan has won laurels by making such 5 thundering shots; and “ Artimas,” another ! distinguished Irishman, is determined to follow in his wake. It is to he hoped that his services will be as well rewarded. There have been many distinguished Irishmen, like Sheehan and “Artimas,” who were rewarded for their services. Keogh was one. He used to say that he was proud of being an Irish- • man—hut was Ireland proud of him? So who will wonder at Sheehan saying he is proud of being an Irishman, or at “ Artimas” following in his wake. , How the latter hea bettered his position by such a quotation, I defy anyone to see. After p quoting Mr Sheehan, “ Artimas” says, “If I want to know any more about the thousand and one conceded to us, lot me go to ‘Hansard’ and read history,” &0., &c. From this I am to understand that Sheehan’s speech is quoted as an evidence of a conceesionjmade to Catholics. Why, it so happens that Mr Sheehan is opposing any concession being made to Catholics. How, therefore, can “ Artimas” class it as one of the thousand and one things conceded. “ Artimas” must have discovered soma new system of logic. It is quite evident I must search history for information, since “Artimas” cannot give it to mo. Another great discovery he has made is, that the people of Spain, Eomo, Italy, or any other country under the Church, can hardly read or write. “Artimas” should have given us some proof, and shown us how they are behind their neighbors in matters of education. I take the following from the Home Letter in the " New Zealand Christian Record,’* August 15th, 1879. The country referred to by the writer is not under the Catholic Church. He says : —The growing spiritual darkness of our agricultural laborers in those parts of the country where the iniquitous bothy system still prevails, was touched upon by the Rev. Dr. Adam, of Glasgow, in presenting to the Free Assembly the report of the Home Mission committee. The reply given to our queries, he said, reveal an awful state of things,in many parts of the land—a heathenism as deep and dark as any to be found in our crowded and corrupt cities. Nothing exceeds the picture of ignorance, impurity, and debasement which is presented.’* Farther on, he says, “ A subsequent speaker endorsed the remark, and spoke of the districts of Angus, Forfar, and Menzies, as ‘ lapsing into a condition of the most deplorable heathenism.’ ” If “ Artimas” wishes a little more information to add to his already large stock, let him read the report of a committee of the House of Commons on the state of religion and education among the people of the mining districts in England. Yours, &c., INDEPENDENT. The following letters appeared in this morning’s issue of the “Press” :