CORRESPONDENCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3520, 19 October 1882, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

YE OLDE EJSGLYSHE FAYBE.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegbaph.] Sir -I was somewhat startled by the explosion of the shell launched at the Fayre by yonr correspondent of yesterday evening. He seems-to have arrived

very suddenly at the concluiion that the Fayre is a very sinful business. This is rather a surprising view to take, as I never heard at any meeting of committee or others any such construction put upon it. Your correspondent complains that the Methodism of to-day is not what it was in the day 9of his boyhood; but, with all respect to his age, I would ask, "Is anything the same ?" The real fact seems to be, there are notbingbut changes and advances in all things, " religion included." "Owe no man anything." Well, that ia precisely what we want to attain, and we think it better to work for the money than beg it from door to door. I think. Mr Editor, that if we can by fair trading effect our purpose— that of paying our debts—we are justified in doing so. If it shocks the feelings of your correspondent, that the ladies are going to wear very old-fashioned dresses, and that as far as possible the Fayre will be a true representation of Ye Olden Tymes, I confess I am unable to appreciate such ultra-delicacy of feeling. lam of opinion there were men and women in those days quite as good as any now living. Then, where is the harm in wearing similar dresses, and why call them mummeries. So also in the May-pole dance by the innocent little girl?. Surely there cannot be any barm in the charming dance the little girls perform, considering how many references there are to dancing in the Bible. Your correspondent then proceeds to mix up the spirit of John Wesley and the " mummeries " of the Fayre in an astonishing manner. Our spirit is to clear off our debts, and, thanka to the assistance of numerous friends, from whom we have received all possible help, we hope to make it a success. Should I have the good fortune to meet the Old Wesleyan at the Fayre, it would prove a source ot very great pleasure to A Young Weslbtan. October 19,1882.