DENOMINATIONALISM IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1441, 27 September 1881, Page 3

DENOMINATIONALISM IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — I notice by your issue of last Saturday, in giving an account of the distribution of certificates at the Hamilton West Public School, that the Revs. Calder and Fulton were in attendance and addressed the children. They may say that they do not interfere in religious matters ; but I ask you, sir, do you think it possible for clergymen to throw off their cloaks and take a part in these, what should be purely secular proceedings, without introducing some of their religious tone into them. From a large and varied experience I can safely assert that they can not, and I think their good taste should prevent them from attending at such times. Parents of children of other denominations do not wish to have their children brought in contact with this foreign religious element, and consider that the schoolmaster or committee should see that in their absence their children are protected from such practices. —l am, &c, Parent.

Sermon on Marriage. — As a sample of preaching extraordinary, we give the full text of the exoidium of a sermon on marriage recently jjreached by the Rev. T. De Witt Talmage :— " Morning without a cloud. Atmosphere without a chill. Foliage without a thorn Fit morning for the world's first wedding. It shall be in church, the great temple of a world, sky-domed, mountain- pillared, sapphue-roofed. The sparkling waters of the Gihon and the Hiddkel will make the font of the temple. Larks, robins, and goldfinches will chant the; wedding march. Violet, lily, and rose burning incense in the morning sun. Luxuriant vines sweeping their lons 1 trails through the forest aisle. Upholstery of a spring morning. Wild 'beasts standing outside the circle looking on, Jike family servants from the back door gazinj? upon the nuptials. The eagle, king of birds ; the locust king of insects ; the lion king of beasts — waiting. Carpets of grass, like emerald, for the human pair to walk on. Hum of exitement, as there always is before a ceremony. Grass blades and leaves whispering, and the birds a-chatter, each to his mate. Hush all the winds, hush all the birds, hush the noise of waters ; for the king of the human race advances with his bride — a perfect man leads to the alter a perfect woman — and tears of morning 1 dew stand in the eyes of violets, and Adam takes the round hand that had never been worn Avith. work or stung with pain into his own stout grasp as he says, 'This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh.' Tumults of joy break forth, and all the trees of the wood clap their hands, and all the galleries of the forest sound with carol and chirp and chant, and the circle of Edenic happiness is complete; for, while every quail hath answering quail, and every fish answering flsh, and every fowl answering fowl, and every beast of the forest appropriate companion, at last man, the immortal, has for mate woman, tho immortal. Mariied, on the second Tuesday morning in May of the year one, Adam, the first man, to Eve, the first woman, high heaven officiating. Aw,iy with the coarse notion that a marriage is a mere civil contract. It is a Paradisaical, six-thousand-year-old Divine Institution, and all the laws since Blackstone or before Blackstone cannot appropriately marry two hearts unless the Lord Almighty has first married them." The new pure cash system now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne and when strictly cairied out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery millinery, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the idvaut-iges of a shareholder in a co-operative soctety,witnoutthe risk of being called upon to bear aportion of the loss should the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and are determined to give the pure cash system a fair trial; whether they gam or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting: cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative prices ; iust the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bed 'Suip and general house furniture, tlie largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &C. having realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is nkw and cheaply bought. An inspection is invited.— Garlick and Cranwbll, City Hall Furnishing Arcade Queenstreet, Auckland

The Melbourne Sportsman's reporter at Flemington has the following with reference to the New Zealand horses: — "This team appeared here for actual work on the 3rd inst., after getting over a dose of physio given on their arrival here. Their condition, ' after, eo,ch a trip from New Zealand reflects the highest credit on Harry Goodman, who has charge of them. Sir Modred, a bay horse, 4 years, by Traducer — Idalia, greatly resembles Zambesi in size, shape, and colour, but has finer propelling power than Zambesi had on leaving for Sydney.' ' He goes very freely, seems to like it, and is a beautiful mover. Somnus, a dark bay, 3 years, by Traducsr — Hammock, is a magnificent - looking animal, of great power, he is also a good mover, and, if he has the good look to stand his Derby preparation should give a meritorious account of himself during the coming V.R.C Spring meeting. He greatly resembles Chatterer in colour and shape, being fully aa fine a horse. Idalium, a black colt, 3 years, and own brother to Sir Modred, is a game-looking animal. He also looks very well, and move nicely and free. Hilarious, 4 years, is a fine upstanding, dark horse. He is not doing such good work as Sir Modred, Somnus, and Idalium, not being co big and strong in condition as they are.

[For continuation of reading matter see fourth jpaffc]