In a recent number of one of the reviews we have indication of contemporary pro gress in other departments of civilisation. Our police syßtem is very particular in statis tics of all crimes oommitted. In 1833 the prisons held some 50,000 convicts; in 1893, after sixty years of a legislation aud an education " tending to irreligion and the loss of the moral sense," the total num ber was about one-eighth as many. To what is this attributable? The spread of education aud of personal freedom clearly. The narrow dogmatic theologian may in all sincerity have visions and dream dreams of a populace too enlightened to appreciate his narrowness and its ethical beauty. He may think the vices of pagan Rome were the outcome of the absence of religious training in the schools, and fear we may drift iu a similar direction. Many, no doubt, forget the populace did not go to school, and their vices came of ignorance, idleness, and servitude. Crime has certaiuly diminished in proportion as educational enlightenment and political and religious freedom have increased. If democracy is to be a success it must be an educated one, where each unit of tbe whole must think and act for itself. It will be a sorry day should the apple of discord dogma—be ever introduced into our public schools. If this question of denominational education and Bible reading is to be de cided let the men and women of the colony do so by their individual votes—referendum. —lam, etc., Tanoaloa. Dunedin, May 30.
THE SOUL'S IMMORTALITY.
TO THE EDITOR.
