(From the "Church Gazette," Auckland.)

. . . . . . .Entirely agreeing with the writer, we offer no apology to our readers for introducing this subject in a Church paper, for we believe that the Church was ordained by Christ not only for the preparation of "citizens of heaven," but also for the manufacture of "good citizens of earth." If the old proverb be true that "cleanliness is next to godliness," we venture to suggest that it is equally true that "improvidence is next to ungodliness." . . . And, with reference to other social points, it continues—We think this subject is specially important in New Zealand. Where wages are highest there is generally the greatest improvidence. How else can we account for the large number of destitute widows and orphans in our midst, and for the sad state of many homes during sickness. 'Drink,' no doubt is one great mischief maker, but 'improvidence' is assuredly another. If our Colony is to prosper, as we all wish it to do, we must train up the rising generation to principles of economy; and we believe that while we aim at one enemy we shall at the same time be striking a heavy blow against the other enemy—'intoxication.' 'Economy' and 'Improvidence' are habits, and childhood is the period when habits are most easily formed. Chldren are, as a rule, we fancy, more prone to save their pence than to spend them, but the great obstacles in the way of childhood economy are (i) the belief that only shillings can be 'put in the bank,' that the pennies are useless, and (ii) when the shilling has been accumulated, the awe of the great Post Office official. Some such plan as that in vogue at Ghent overcomes these obstacles. In the first place, the teacher takes charge of the pence until they have reached the wonderful shilling, and in the second place the teacher has the interview with the awful official. We would commend this subject to the earnest thought and attention of members of School Boards, and to teachers of day schools. We do not, but others may, see some means by which this scheme might be connected even with Sunday Schools."