MR. R. RUSH AND THE “MINSTRELS.”

Marlborough Express, Volume V, Issue 229, 7 May 1870, Page 5

MR. R. RUSH AND THE “MINSTRELS.”

To the Editor of the Marlborough Express. Sir, — T must again crave your indulgence _to make a few remarks in reply to a letter which appeared in your last, signed “Robert Bush,” and in doing so will remark that I made no such mistake as that young fanatic puts against me ; I will also state that I have the exact words used by- him on that occasion from respectable people, who was so disgusted with the scandal that they rushed from the chapel co their homes in all baste as soon as this young orator had done. Now, Sir, “Robert Rush” in his letter, trys to prove that, however charitable the Minstrels may be, that by their fiddling, capering, and dancing, they are producing a bad effect on the young of Blenheim —poor man ! —and then asks if a party stole some money, and built a church with it, would I paiso him for the deed. I cannot conceive for one moment what that has to do with this question ; but if “ Robert Rush” wants to make this a religious question, I am quite prepared, to take that into consideration, and would ask. him does grunting, belching, roaring, and making other sounds by holding one’s breath and screwing your mouth, so as to cause a sound something like Balaam’s ass—does that tend to make the young of the town religious ? I don’t think so. But, Sir, it is a well known fact that amongst every flock of crows they is always a jackdaw, and I think Robert belongs to that species. I would also remark, as regards the seat for the Masonic Hotel, that the public should judge whether this young man acts up to what he believes. In the next I would ask what right has this pious young man to get up and lecture young men ? Has he gained his knowledge from experience, or has he read it in the British Workman ? Has he everbeen a party to those vices which he is so anxious to have stopped ? I hope not. But, Sir, 1 think that this nice young man is a martyr to the cause of John Wesley. I think he is suffering from a disease called “ melancholy madness but as a cure for that disease I would recommend him to read this passage : “ Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour, so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.’’ As regards him suggesting that no one but himself should be attacked, T decidedly object to; I must request him to answer that last question I put to him about the Rev. Mr. Richardson—viz., How many times out of thirty did you drink ? I would also remark that if you do not answer it. in your next, I must, as I have the facts by me; at the same time I have sent the paper containing that speech to .the man that the Rev, Mr. R. joined in holy bliss, "with a request for all information.

In conclusion I will give you one more passage for your guidance next Good Friday : “Be not rasa sfritk thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God, for God is in. heaven, and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words bo few,” Thanking you for. your space, Mr, Editor, I am, &c,, A Minstrel,

To the Editor of the Marlborough Express* Sir, —I once saw a man that had a wooden leg dance a hornpipe. Some said it was excellent —f didn’t think so; I thought the leg looked awkward f you could see it stick out. Just so with Mr. H; Rush’s Christianity: some may applaud, but at the first glance you see hypocrisy sticking outi Something of this seems to have struck him, for lid said, “ by some I shall be called a busy meddler. ’* I call him a professing to be what he Is not; and a , not to know it. “ Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shall thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye’ 1 He says “we have a right to criticise,” Yes, when wd pay money we have a perfect right to see that wd get value for it, if not, complain; but whoever heard of wholesale slander being claimed as a right J and I submit that not only the Minstrels, but the Philharmonic Society, and all who go to see and hear, are alike condemned by this seeming very pious young hypocrite. Hear his excuse—” Wo are gibbeted by the frequenters of such places j” ergo, have a right to retaliate. Hus Mr. Rush forgotten the great commandment, “Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyselfalso, “ Bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you J’ Here is authority he, as a professing Christian, will not dare to deny ; nor can he ignore the fact that he has acted directly the reverse. The same authority declares, it is not the saying these things; but doing is the way to the kingdom of heaven. But who has used Mr. Rush ill, or said or done anything to offend him ? His attack is wholly gratuitous, unprovoked and uncalled-for ; so much the more is he unchristian and hypocrite. Where is that charity that “ thinketh no evil “charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever llveth is counted dead before Thee?” Verily, Sir. it is, I fear, very far from Mr. Rush, and also from that other who gave such excellent advice as to that “ unruly member, thes tongue,” Does it not sound strange, after the slander of the bridal party, whose hospitality wasJ too much - for him 1 Do ask him, Mr. Editor, what scenes were enacted “ that were a disgrace to humanity ?’’ Does he know the full meaning of such a sentence 1 I for one should like to know ; and also if he pocketed the marriage fee, or did he refuse it, and shake off the dust from his feet and leave in disgust, as unworthy of him. In conclusion, hear what tho Rev. Sydney Smith has to say to such as Mr. Rush “ True, modest, unobtrusive religion.—charitable, forgiving, indulgent Christianity, is the greatest ornament and tho greatest blessing that can dwell in the mind of man. But if there is one character more base, more infamous, and more shocking than another, It is he who, for the sake of some paltry distinction in tho world, is ever ready to accuse conspicuous persons of irreligion—to turn common informer for the Church, and to convert the most beautiful feeling of tho human heart to the destruction of the good and great, by fixing upon talent the indelible stigma of irreligion It matters not how trifling, and how insignificant the accuser ; cry out that the Church is in danger, and your object is accomplished; lurk in the walk of hypocrisy, to accuse your enemy of tho crime of atheism, and his ruin is quite certain —acquitted or condemned is tho same thing ; it is only, sufficient that he be accused, in order that hia destruction be aceomplisbod.”— l am, &0., W.W.

To Mr, Rushlight, per favor of the Editor of the Marlborough Express. Sir, — I am so glad you answered those nasty Minstrels in the last Express-, everybody said you had not pluck enough, but I know you are a boy of the right sort to fight all in creation, above? or below. They ar,e a bad set. How wicked for them to insinuate that Wesleyans get drunk. I am sure nobody ever hoard of a Wesleyan being accused of getting drunk. Ido know a lady Wesleyan who takes a little brandy as a medicine, very, very weak —but there is plenty of other things you ought, as a leading man, to turn your attention to: you ought to commence with the little boys; they are great cheats at marbles; you should see how they gamble. Suppose you form a company to buy all the marbles; you could sell them to the Maoris for bullets, a good investment, and the proceeds would buy all the Alcocks in the place ; they would make good tea-tables for the next fight. Also all the playing-cards; they would make good visiting cards, or the Maoris would buy them for cartridges. You must also denounce the races to take place next week, and if they do not stop them, let the company buy up all the horses, which would prevent any wicked people riding, too, on Sundays. Lastly, those wicked Autipodeans have said s great deal about kiss-in-the-ring ; let the company buy up all the kisses in the place—have it called the “ Rushlight Kissing Company.” There is no doubt they would make you a present of a thousand or so of shares, then if you caught any lady giving away any kisses, you can glue up their lips. In conclusion, if any of those right-minded Antipodeans say another word in the papers or out of the papers, form a company, and buy them all up, and stop their little game for ever.—Yours, A Genuine Waxiaght.