The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1882.

Temuka Leader, Issue 914, 7 February 1882, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1882.

This evening the members of the Mechanics' Institute will be called upon to decide the question of closing the Institute on Sundays. So fur as we are coucerned we fail to see the harm in having it opened. It may not be strictly in accordance with the teachings of the Bible to spend one's Sunday afternoons in Mechanics' Institutes, but unfortunately men do not always live as the Scriptures teach them to do, and we are afraid that much worse than reading a paper, or a book on a Sunday in the reading room of a public library is often done. No one can dispute that to cultivate the mind is a good work All man possesses above the brute creation is his intellect—it is what makes him like unto God, and certainly the cultivation of that divine faculty, uo matter whether on Sunday or on Monday, in a public library or in his own home, cannot be wrong. We are given to understand, however, that there are many |in this town who have conscientious I scruples in being members of an Institute which is opened to the public on Sundays, believing it to be a desecration of the Sabbath day, and have consequently withdrawn from it altogether. Now let it be remembered that these have as much right to have their opinions respected as those who look upon opening the Institute on Sundays us quite harmless, and consequently we think the first question that the meeting to-night ought to consider is to find out whether the number debarred from being members of the Institute through its being open on Suudays is greater or less than the number who use it on Sundays, and decide accordingly. But this would not be sufficient without taking into account whether the hardships its opening inflicts is greater than its closing would inflict. So far as we can see its closing would inflict but very little hardship on anybody, Anyone who wishes pan borrow a book on Saturday night, and read it at home ou Sunday us, well as he could read it in the Institute. The case is difl'e-ent with those whose religious convictions will not allow them to be memberb of the Institute at all, and we think that those who take a wider view of matters might very well deny themselves the benefit they would derive, from opening the Institute on Sundays, so as to suit the convenience of the other clti,s.s. There is not in New Zealand, perhaps, a district in which there is less religious, d,Ja.Ujnion than this. Our ministers of religion are on the most amiable terms, with each other. Whenever there is a concert or an entertainment in connection with one church the ministers of the other churches lend all the assistance they can, and have always kind and encouraging words for each other. In this respect we think the clergy of Temuka are examplea of christian charity, and of peace and goodwill to ajl men, and we certainly do not think that it would be wise to do anything which would tend to sever the bond of friendship which through their kindly and enlightened teachiugs unites all classes so peacefully together in this district. This we consider the most important question for the consideration of the meeting that is the cultivation of friendly and peaceful feeling in the community—but in saying so we do not intend to impute any motives to those in favor of opening the Institute on Sundays other than that they believe there is no harm in it, and. that it would be a convenience to persons who might not otherwise have an opportunity of visiting the reading-room. With these we quite agree, but at the same time we believe that there are more kept away through the Institute being open, than there are people who make use of it on Sundays, and;consequently we must pronounce ourselves in favor of haying it closed Thei - e is another very important question, and that is how to improve the financial position of the Institute 1 From the arguments adduced at the last generaj meeting it was made appear that a good many members had withdrawn altogether from the Institute since it was opened on Sundays, while there were only very few gained by it. If this assertion is not refuted beyond a question of doubt, common sense ought to show to anyone that the most advantageous way is to close it and put, an end tp all bickerings on the subject. Ap Mr Gray said, all the help that can be got is necessary in a small community like this to, make the Institute a success, and we think therefore that: it would be wise to. make no rules which would keep even one individual away. We think therefore that those in favor of opening on Sundays would do well to yield to the opposite class the concessions which they seek. It would be the most peaceable and the most friendly way of settling the question, and we are certain it would tend to increase the popularity of the Institute The sacrifice is very small, that is the privilege of of visiting the Institute on Sundays, and we think it would be worth their while to make it, so as to secure the cooperation of those who now keep away.