PRAYING FOR RAIN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 12 April 1928, Page 7

PRAYING FOR RAIN

(To the Editor)

Sir.—l had thought that tho rainmakers had expended all their epistolary energv. hut the rain that has so relreshed thirsty gardens appears to have refreshed their courage also. _so that two new champions enter the lists to break a lance with this “scoffer. this 'ntlmj s t,“ this altogether ignorant and presumptuous person. "fv. Ah me. 1 am “quite ignorant.” according to -Mr Evan Forsyth. And the same writer displays his complete knowledge hy talking about “deists" through more than half a column without having the remotes! idea what a “deist" is. although he professes to he one! fhomus l’aine was a deist, and so was Voltaire. The columns ol the “Mail is not the place in which to teach elementary theology, hilt 1 may just- inform Mr Forsyth that deists, 'while admitting the existence of a Supreme Being. totally reject the idea of a revealed religion, or of that Being interfering in any way, whether for good or ill. with the universe lie originated. So much as an illustration of the depth of erudition of one who loftily admits that his opponent may have “a very superficial knowledge.” Flit, not eontent witli exhibiting just that want of knowledge which he so superciliously attributes to the writer. Mr Forsyth mus; lower himself to misrepresentation. “K” claims, he says, that the people of Klijah’s day were “somewhat- innocent. I made no such claim. But I do claim that to inflict untold misery on innocent children and dumb animals because of the sins of adul; people is not in accordance with justice, human or divine. And if. because T hold that view. I am

“}>ln. c .p!u i rnoii.s/ ? tlion “blasphemous” I a in.

Mr Jefftey's letter is rn tlio same lines ns >fr Forsyth's. My "entire ignorance" is commented on and the punishment of children tor tin- sins of their parents is complacently accepted as a perfectly just procedure. Both correspondents hint that Nelson deserved the drought because of her people's sins. “He turns." quotes Mr Jeffreys. "a fruitful land into barrenness for the wickedness of them that dwell therein." lint it occurs to nu- that if the rain is withheld because of our sins then Nelson's glorious sunshine must he sent as a reward for our virtues! What have Hope and Stanley Brook to say to that. They can't have it both ways. However. T must close. T do riot know. sir. if one is justified in trespassing so far on your space for a matter which is. after all, but of small moment. The response to the advertisements was. I understand, exceeding feeble Only about 70 people attended the meetings.. Seventy out of all Nelson ! And out of that 70 only one or two had faith enough to bring their umbrellas! It is quite evident that the great majority of the citizens of our town took a sane and reasonable view of the position and were no! carried away by the illogical and hysterical attitude of the few. The intellectual reputation of Nelson has sttffernd hut little harm.—l am etc.. "K " Nelson, 11th April.