ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 999, 2 July 1879, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

STATE EDUCATION.

TO TIJE EDITOR OF THE OAMARU MAIL. Sill.—The revival of the secular education theory, and its promulgation throughout civilised nations at the present day as a new idea, resulting from the intellectual progression of the age, is a fallacy which, requires but little explanation to render it apparent. The principles of secular educationalists, vis:., that all systems founded upon theology are effete, and that experimental development is the ono thing necessary for the regeneration of society, were propounded by Gautama Buddha over 2,400 years ago, and have existed for hundreds of years in many parts of the world where Buddhism holds sway, particularly in the Burmese Empire. There the state has. accepted them as defining its duty, and there every child has been submitted to a purely secular education. The results of this training have been moral degradation and gross materialism, despite that the Buddhist system is in itself about the most perfect application yet developed of a theory of social and individual perfection founded on practical Atheism. The Chinese philosopher Confucius, who taught 500 years before the commencement of the Christian era, defines the principles of the secularistic school and its teachings. Speaking of the probabilities of the existence of a Divine Spirit and a future state, he says : ■' Such things might be, but as they are incapable of proof, it is useless to perplex the mind regarding them. -The best use a wise man can make of time is to give sole attention to those things which r,ro proved realities, and to fit himself for the attainment of the greatest advantage from the world in which lie is placed." It is a curious fact that allied to this Atheism we should meet with good men and d.iss.snting .ministers who couut the teaching of the Bible in schools by ordinary instructors ag little short of blasphemy; and, there are no surer proofs of the evil ell'ects of this system than the fact that, in the first place, it deceive? good men, and then makes champions of them. W hat reasonable men require is that their children shall receive an education which shall fit them to take their placo in the world as law-abiding people, under the influence of a puro and reasonable faith ; not as unaided materialists and lawless anarchists. —lam, &c., Scrutator.

A SLOUGH OF DESPOND. TO THE EDITOR OF THE OAMAKU MAIL, Sib, —Permit me, through the medium of your columns, to draw the attention of the Corporation to the state of Eden"street. Things and places do get some queer names occasionally. I would re-

spectfully invite the worthy and comfort-able-looking gentleman who represents Severn Ward to take a jaunt over its " banks and braes" at the present season. I am sure if, after many meek salaams, he arrived at the top, he would, in the fulness of his heart, or boots, be lienrd to ejaculate " Well, I'm blowed !" and return home not a little impressed with his skill in navigation. I am aware, Mr. Editor, those are times when the bare mention of anything involving the expenditure of money is met with an ominous frown, or a suspicion regarding one's sanity ; yet it is hard we cannot get a few loads of metal put down —it would be lutnicr if we could. And though it is solitary enough as far as the absense of lamps is concerned, there's not a solitary footpath from the bridge upwards. It is the glorious privilege of Britishers to growl, and as it is the dissatisfaction we are likely to get, wo may be excused if at this dull season we indulge heartily. And while we are confident as to the state of our own soles, wo will not forget to pray earnestly for the Corporation of Oamaru.—l am, &c., Mtdlahk.

Holloway'sOixtmext and Pills—During every break of wintry -weather exertions should be male by the afilicted to recover health before unremitting cold and trying; storms set in. Throat ailments, coughs, wheezings, asthmatical affections, shortness of breath, morning nausea and accumulations of phlegm can readily be removed by rubbing; this line derivative Ointment twice a day upon the chest and neck. Holloway's treatment is strongly recommended with the view of giving immediate case, preventing prospective danger and effecting permanent relief. These all-important ends his Ointment ami Pills can accomplish, and will surely prevent insidious diseases from fastening on the constitution to display themselves afterwards in those disastrous forms that will probably embitter life till death is almost prayed for.