PASTOR CHINIQUY’S THIRD LECTURE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2170, 20 February 1880, Page 2

PASTOR CHINIQUY’S THIRD LECTURE.

About 300 persons ataended Pastor Chiniquy’s third lecture in the Presbyterian Cluu’ch last evening. The Rev. Mr Simraonds presided. Tne subject was *‘lloolo and Education.” The lecturer, at the commencement referred to the great importance of education, and defined it as something that raised the human intellect from a preception of sublunary things to communion with higher intelligencies until soaring beyond the realms of matter it reached the shrine of the divinity. He then proceeded to contend that the great aim of the Church of Home in all ages had been to enthral the intellect, and clip the wings of the student who, thirsting for knowledge, attempted to elevate himself above prevailing ignoranee. In proof of tins he referred to the well-known story of Galileo who was imprisoned, sentenced to death, and humiliated by order of the Pope, because he dared to proclaim Ids grand discovery of the solar system. He maintained that the great aim and object of Romanism was to raise the priesthood to the position of gods and .to crush and fetter the minds of their worshippers. The teachings of the Catholic Church he considered were consistent only with intellectual slavery; they fettered the human mind and denied to mankind, the free exercise of God given faculties. It was the liberty of conscience advocated by protestantism and denounced by the Catholic clergy, that constituted the great difference between education proper, and the subterfuge with which the Catholic priesthood mocked the cravings for knowledge and intellectual supremacy of the children of their schools and congregations. lie blamed the Protestants of the colonies for having allowed their legislatures to drive the Bible out of their public schools, and thus enabling the Catholic clergy to point the linger of scorn and abhorrence against the prevailing system of Godless education. Referring to the example of Ireland and Scotland and other lands, ho maintained that Romanism bred poverty and famine, while Protestantism produced contentment, thrift and prosperity. The Bible he said had nerved the soldier on the field of battle, it inspired fortitude under infliction, and it had been truly said, that the Bible was the great source of Great Britain’s greatness among nations. The lecturer during his remarks wasfrcquently applauded. At the conclusion of his lecture the Rcv Mr Gillies read a number of extracts from a Roman Catholic Catechism, and briefly commented on the mental bondage of the doctrines inculcated. The concluding lecture of the series, viz., “ Dangers ahead for Great Britain and her Colonies” will be delivered this evening.