THE BATTLE OF CREEDS.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 139, 29 March 1873, Page 3

THE BATTLE OF CREEDS.

A great ecclesiastical fight lias just been ended in England. The post of select preacher at the University of Oxford was vacant, and the Board, with whom rested the responsibility of the nomination, designated the Dean of Westminster, Dr Stanley, to the office. But the name of the Board's nominee must be subjected to convocation for approval, which, till this occasion, was a mere matter of form, tho composition of the Board being such as to command sufficient respect to ensure the acceptance of its appointments without resistance. A section of electors, led by a Doctor of Divmitj', strenuously objected to the nomination, and the leader of it issued an extraordinary manifesto, in which Dr Stanley was designated " a pernicious heretic," and " the avowed champion of a negative and cloudy Christianity, which is really preparing the way for the rejection of alf rovealed truth.' From a newspaper discussion it grew into a religious controversy, and so warm did it wax that tho Tim ft was forced to lift up its voice and say, " What must be thought of the state of a Church and a University in winch such accusations are brought by many of its most respected members against a Dean of Westminster, who is also Dr Stanley ? The enemies of the establishment could desire nothing better than that such a vital disorganisation should be brought to light. Tins is tho only interest which will really sulTer from sucb a scandal." So the battle became one of Religious Intolerance v. Liberty of Conscience, and it is satisfactory t& know that, though the contest was very keen, the latter won the day, as will be seen by the subjoined extract . — |" Yesterday (December 11 ) was fought out, in the Theatre at Oxford, what is destined, perhaps, to be the most important conflict in which tho Board Church party has yet engaged. Hitherto, they have tried their strength against the Evangelical and Ritualistic bodies in detail ; but on the present occasion, these two formidable opponents were massod against them. For borne days past angry words have been bandied between the contending forces, and yesterday's prcpaiationa showed that the contest was to be more than a verbal one. From an early hour the station at Paddington gave one the idea of a sort of academical Derby Day. By ten o'clock the platform was crowded with unmistakable I M A 's , with here and there a dignitary of the church, or higher graduate Lawyers had impressed their brief bags into service for carrying their cap, gown, and hood; while young M. A.'s. whom one knew about town, swaggered into carnages with the audibly announced intention of " giving Stanley a lft." Friend and foo faced each other m the narrow confines f a railway carriage, scarcely daring to utter a word either o the other, le*t they should betray their tactics to the n emy. By-and-by tho voting was over. The proctors prcented their lists to the Vice-Chancellor, who, amid breathess silence, pronounced the words, Majori parti placet! Then there was indeed a ohcer, which rang through the building from basement to upper gallery, and was taken up outside in a way that reminded one of the Trial of the Bishops, the number* voted being — Placet, 349 ; Non-Pl.icct, 28". Oyer GOO members therefore- -something like a full House of Common*- »«corded their voto on this memorable occasion."

Sharpers ore not confined to Christian lands, or the Christian races. The Friend of India )mi the following report of a ca^ irhich came before the Commissioners of Police al Calcutta. A Mahommedan keeping a barber's shop in Dhurriuntollah street, was -Halted by a decentlydressed native, who after being attended to, asked the barber if lie would take care of his hubble-bubble till he returned from the bazaar. The native had not been long away when a rajah entered the shop, and said, " What is that you hare theie 9 " pointing to the hookah. " The article is not mine," replied the bnrber. The rajah replied that he would give one hundred rupees for it. The barber replied that he would lot him know whether he could sell it or no m a few hours. .Shortly after, customer No 1 came in. " Will you soil that hookah 9" asked the barber. "I don't mind, if I obtain a good price," was the answer. "Will you take fifty rupees'" "No, X could not accept less than sixty rupees" "All right," said the barber, " here you are;" and the sixty rupees ■were paid. It is needless to add that customer No. 2 never called to see the barber again. The Express is responsible for the following : — A worthy inspector of ichools was recently engaged m examining a class of juveniles in grammar, at Wagga, and, as a matter of course, the qnestion was a*kod— '• What is a noun?" Tho answer was, equally aa a matteu of course, prompt and unexceptionable— " A noun H the name of any person, place, or thing." Seeking accurate demonstration of the class's acquu einents, the inspector proceeded—" Xow, lam a noun ; which of the three am I?" Up went the hand of a promisiug five-year-old maiden, and the triumphant answer — " Please, sir, you're a thing"— was elicited. The class was dismissed. The Christian Union finds " a new method for raising funds," in the announcement of the fair of a religious association which reads as follows : — The annual sale of the ladies ot tic society will take place oia Thursday evening next.