HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-07-23, Page 25Memories of yesteryears
HOMECOMING '97, WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1997 PAGE 5.
The early years — The entrance class of Brussels school, class by Jean Fraser,
of 1913 posed on the lawn for this photo, which was submitted
Residents discuss religion in schools
From the May 20,1887 issue of
The Brussels Post
Perhaps in all the work done by
the late Dr. Ryerson for our system
of education in Ontario his good
judgement was nowhere better
shown than in the regulations as to
religious instructions in the
schools, the rules being
recommendatory only, in the option
of the trustees of the sections
interested. Surely that is reasonable
when it is considered that the
trustees are best acquainted with
the feelings of the people of the
section whom they represent and
whose money it is that bears nearly
all the expense connected with
them. The government contribution
may amount to one dollar out of
twelve of the total amount required
to carry them on.
The present Minister of
Education, to satisfy the Ministerial
Association of Toronto and a few
outside, changed the rule by
making the reading from the Book
of Bible Selections obligatory. It
may be said that the question was
discussed in the Church courts, but
it can not be said that the mandate
for the change came from the
people. It was not necessary that
such a selection should contain
every incident or every idea to be
found in the Bible, but it contained
a good digest of what was required,
if followed out in after life, to make
either a good Christian or citizen.
And how was Mr. Ross treated?
At first nothing too good could be
said of him, but when an election
became imminent, from an angel of
light almost he was made to appear
as one of darkness. Motives were
imputed to him savoring fully as
much of the politician as of the
Christian by those who made them.
The Opposition cannot be
Lawyer seeks lost heir
From the June 10,1887 issue of
The Brussels Post.
W. B. Dickson, the young
attorney from Brussels, Ont., is
again in town in the interest of the
heirs of Wm. Dewar, who so
mysteriously disappeared in 1883,
leaving behind him real estate in
Helena now worth $40,000 or
$50,000.
It will be remembered that the
property was bid in a delinquent tax
sale by Judge Joe Davis, former
partner of the missing man; that
blamed very much for taking
advantage of the seeming rift, but
as is generally the case in such
affairs the mistake was made as to
the importance of the outcry.
Possibly not one vote in a thousand
of the Protestant electorate was
affected by it.
It may be said we are so carried
away by party in Ontario that no
matter how grave the malversation
it would be condoned. That may be
true to some extent, but not to such
an extent as to allow the
Government of Parliament of
Ontario to stray very far from the
line of duty.
The teaching of the alphabet up
to the fifth form, writing and
arithmetic and religion are two
different things. It is expedient that
the State should see to the first, but
the latter is the duty of the parent
and the pastor. The agitation has so
far been based on a very narrow
foundation. It cannot be said the
people have asked for compulsory
religious education as yet, and
human nature is often so perverse
that even a wrong course will be
followed rather than submit to be
dragooned into a right one.
The whole movement is one
thoroughly consistent with a State
Church, which, however, some
may regret it, is an impossibility in
this age and country. Coercion is
getting to be fashionable in almost
everything and everywhere, but in
nothing will it so signally fail as in
matters of faith and conscience.
The free and voluntary way was
open in this case, as it ought to be,
and if a united effort had been
made throughout the Province by
bringing the reading of the Bible
before the trustees it is altogether
likely that there might have been
better results reached than by the
Mr. Dickson, about a year ago, was
allowed to redeem on behalf of the
heirs, and that Judge Davis brought
suit to compel the issue of a deed to
him, which suit has not yet come to
trial. Judge Davis is now in the
east, and shortly before Mr.
Dickson came west the former
called upon him and made
overtures for the settlement of the
suit and the assignment of all claim
to the Dewar estate to him, Davis.
The offer has not been, accepted.
- Helena Independent
other. At least we would have been
saved the humiliating spectacle that
took place during the Provincial
election of making the Bible the
battle-cry of party, and having such
an inflammatory document as "the
Lynch-Mowat concordat"
circulated, not everywhere, but
where it was thought it would serve
the purpose of assisting to snatch a
verdict by raising a side issue not
pertinent to the general issue at all.
Secular education pure and
simple would be far more
preferable than Bible reading at the
expense of setting the one-half of
the Province against the other,
leaving religious education to the
Church, the Sunday School and to
the fireside.
Wroxeter, May 7. Thos. Gibson
BRUSSELS LEGION
invites everyone to enjoy the free
entertainment under the outside tents
Music supplied by Susie "Q" & Mr. "B” of
the Seaforth area
Performances will be at:
Friday, August 1*9 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Saturday, August 2*1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, August 2*9 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Sunday, August 3 * following the parade
BREAKFAST WILL BE HELD UNDER THE
BIG TENT AT THE LEGION PARKING LOT
Saturday, August 2*8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Sunday, August 3*8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Leave the cooking
to us!
Phone troubles
From the February 3, 1888 issue of
The Brussels Post.
The telephone, it is said, is not
making much progress in Brussels
just now and no wonder. Imagine
"Billy" Smith going to the phone
and yelling to his dear girl, "Hello!
Is that you, dviffioslkiochsmav-
tioezska."
"No! It's Jollenschousk affair
nockevstiffsgowoff who's
speaking?"
"Sezlmockoavier Jack
smuyskischokem off." "I want to
know if xlifermanskeffisk illun a
jaw chzvastow Sksiociberski is still
stopping with Dvisost Kitch smart
voicezshn?"
Such nomenclature over the
telephone would tie the wire full of
knots and twist the machine all out
of shape.
Be careful "Billy" that you do not
explode.
Homecoming *97
ATTENTION: R.V. OWNERS
For your convenience arrangements have been
made for an R.V. dumping station for homecoming
weekend at the Brussels Sewage Treatment
Plant, Beech Street. (Turn left between McDonald
Lumber and the Bowling Green).
HOURS:
Saturday, August 2 -10:00 a.m. -12 noon
Sunday, August 3 -10:00 a.m. -12 noon