DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 303, 12 November 1873, Page 3

DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS.

{To the Editor.) Sib, — Can you tell me whether a lay member of a church court — a church synod, for instance; — is supposed, in his votes and speeches (if ha can speak), to express the views of the congregation he represents, his own views, or to act simply and solely as his clergyman wishes him ? I ask this question from seeing the name of E. Herbert among the votes recorded in favor of establishing Church of England schools throughout the province. Now, I am sure that Mr. Herbert, by that voto, did not represent the views of the congregation that sent him ; equally certain that unless his ideas have undergone a very sudden and complete revolution, he did not represent his own. Tho only alternative I can suggest is, that he has been unable to withstand the storm of clerical bullying, bantering, taunting abuse, to which lay members who exhibited symptoms of independence of thought or action were exposed, and wliich Biott of them were too servile to retort or resent. By-the-bye, what a fine example of courtesy, forbearance and gentlemanly language these same clergymen set us ! What a dcliciously sweetened brew issues from the clerical teapot ! Should not Mr. Beaumont, beforo diffusing lii*s sugf^sxry propeMrfcies &mongj3fc tlie young iiloa of Lawrence, test the efficacy oF his saccharine virtues on his somewhat acid brother of All Saints, or that crude, sour Coffee-pot at Milton ? — I am, &c, Sugar in a Teapot.