MR. VARLEY AND THE REPORTER.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, 15 February 1879, Page 5

MR. VARLEY AND THE REPORTER.

Mr. Varley appears, from the Otago Daily Times, to have fallen foul of a reporter belonging to that journal. It appears that the reporter remained at one of Mr. Varley 's "after meetings," and was asked by Mr. Varley if he had " put his trust in Christ ?" The reporter explained that he was there in pursuance of his office, and had no wish to enter into particulars upon this delicate question. Mr. Varley then took a seat beside him, and, having ascertained that the reporter was the author of a paragraph, respecting one of his services, to which he took exception, said :— " If I had been a Btrolling comic singer you would never have treated me as you did— giving a deliberately untrue coloring to what took place. You would not have singled out any one thing in connection with George Rignold and ridiculed him about it. You know you would not. You were guilty of a mean, contemptible action. You prostituted your pen, sir ; and I warn you of the deplorable end you will come to if you persist in your present course. You gave that report out of the enmity of your heart to Jesus Christ." According to the Times, the following dialogue then ensued : — Reporter — I presume, when you talk of the enmity of my heart to Jesus, you mean enmity to Henry Varley ? Mr. Varley— l will not be insulted in this place. You are dealing with a man, sir, and I shall let you know that. Reporter — I had no desire to insult you whatever. You have passed a few compliments; you mjiy allow me to return them. You have insulted me most grossly, and I tell you I consider your language has been disgraceful. You have not spoken by any means as a gentleman, and most decidedly not as a Christian. I wish to have nothing more to say to you, and I will thank you to go away and leave me alone. Mr. Varley — I shall speak to you as long as my time allows me. You have steeled your bad, wicked human heart against the Lord Jesus Christ, and I warn you of what you will come to. Oh! the mean, dishonorable thing yon did. Reporter — You may talk away, Mr. Varley. I shall treat anything further you have to say with the moßt utter contempt. Your language has been disgraceful to yon, and most contemptible. I shall listen to nothing whatever more from you. Mr. Varley continued to talk for a minute or two longer, the reporter paying no attention to what he said. Eventually he rose from the scat, saying he had no more time, and "bestowing a most unevangelical glance upon the reporter," left the pew.