EDUCATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 316, 23 September 1874, Page 2

EDUCATION.

Judge Richmond in his charge to tbe Grand Jury at Hokitika on Thursday last said " he was glad to see tbat the Council had in its first session passed an Education Ordinance. As tending to the prevention of crime, the institution of some system of National Education appeared to him of vast importance. The view to be taken of the matter in the Criminal Court was, however, only one aspect of a vast subject. In its largest sense Education meant tbe harmonius developement of the whole of the human faculties, fitting the individual to become- and be all that God and Nature intended. So defined, education appeared to include, or transcend, all other concerns and interests — political, economical, aye! even religious, and to be the very business of life itaelf. Only a small part of this vast interest could, in existing circumstances, or perhaps in any circumstances, be directly taken charge of by the State. Even that small part could only be dealt with in a spirit of mutual concession and forbearance — of wise and charitable compromise. Let it be considered what were tbe questions involved. Religion — what is it? even, whether there be such a thing? [ whether it can be taught? how it can be taught? what are the functions of [ the state? whether it ie, or is not, the Sovereign form of human society? whether the Church (as understood by this or that denomination) is the fiction of priests, or a divine reality? Barely | to name these points shows the nature of the tremendous differences which exist between men on this subject. We were treading upon treacherous ashes, beneath which lurked tbe fires of controversy, in every discussion opon the question of National Education. The subject, then, was one on which every one must be prepared to concede some* thing, if we were to have any common action. Viewing this common action as of the utmost importance to our well-being as a community, ho rejoiced to see tbat some measure of agreement had been attained. Let it not however, from anything said, be supposed that he regarded such instructions as common 8choo!a would give as a panacea for the diseases of the body politic, or as doing more than tending towards the diminution of crime. There were melancholy examples within the knowledge of every man, in which the highest culture of intellect and taste had proved impotent to save the possessor from becoming the slave of the grossest propensities of our nature, and viee — private viee — " self-regard ing " vice, as it is sometimes falsely termed, was ever apt to lead to crime. But on the other hand, the most rigid advocate of a purely religious culture would allow that even bis ends were unattainable without some measure of what ia called "secular knowledge." Dogmatic and religious teaching must be ineffectual — nay, impossible — without some instruction in the elements of common knowledge. No one would say he was putting the value of such knowledge too high iv saying this much. And so in this age of the world, some degree of education appeared to be practically ao indispensable condition of virtuous conduct. The grossly ignorant- were, to say the least of it, at a fearful disadvantage in these days; exposed to all the trials and temptations of a high civilisation, and unable to use, or feel its beat counteracting influences. The vacant intellect was a terrible danger. The common enemy was ever ready to sow with tares these menial-fallow fields. Evil spirits thronged to take possession of every such vacant tenement. Again, therefore, gentlemen (said His Honor) I congratulate you on what has clearly been accomplished io promotion of this great interest of education. I congratulate you on the spirit of accommodation visible on the face of tbe provisions of the new law. It is to be hoped that the same spirit will animate all parties in tbe practical working of ihe measure, tbat the ground which has been gained will be kept; or, better still, that the present measure may lead in due time to something more complete and satisfactory.