THE GOSPEL AND BLUE RIBBONISM.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3968, 30 May 1885, Page 3

THE GOSPEL AND BLUE RIBBONISM.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — Permit me to correct one or two statements, seriously at variance with truth, that appeared in your paper of the 29th instant, signed "Only a Heathen." I will not refer to the unseemly and intemperate language of much of the said letter, but merely correct some of its statements.

The writer virtually asserts that Mr R. T. Booth invited the people to come up and sign the pledge in his. (Mr Booth's) name, for although the word "his" is printed with a capital H, yet the words that follow prevent tho reader from understanding the ''his" to refer to God or Christ. Tbe whole sentence ia, " His chief cry was 'come up and sign the pledge in His name.' It reminded me of a blacksmith in the old country named Bryan, who used to say to any car driver who had met with a smash, * Come up to Bryan's with your wheel. '" In point of fact, Mr Booth hardly referred to the pledge at all till his address was concluded.

But another statement is wide of the truth, viz , that the temperance question "is no lonper a social question, but a sectarian and political one." This ia so Blaringly untrue that I need not do more than state it and leave it, but I will call attention to the asertion that tbe Anglican and Roman churches are not engaged in the crusade ngainst drink, for evidently this ia what is meant by the peculiarly worded sentence in connection with these churches. The real state of the case is that both these churches are actively fighting this gigantic evil. I thought the Church of England 'I emperance Society and the Church Army (both belonging to the Anglican Church) were a 9 well known fli the Blue Ribbon Army. They are both very large organisations, headed by the highest dignitaries of the church, and energetically worked with excellent rt■ults. The real aim of the letter I am replying to is very plain, and can do no barm to any thoughtful person, but may, by its frothy flippancy, disgust some, at least, of those it is intended for. I had nvt meant to enter the anna during this controversy, but was compelled to add my quota in the caiue ol Truth.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, — There are two things in " Only a Heathen's" letter which I purpose replying to ; but before doing bo permit me to say that the results of the work of R. T. Booth, both in England and the colonies, where he has succeeded in persuading some 1,500,000 persons to join the temperance cause during a period of about four years, is a sufficient answer to all the personal abuse your correspondent has been piaased to indulge in.

" Only n Heathen," says, " Look at the ease with which the blatant Yankee showman walked off with twenty-five pounds," etc. This spontaneous gift of the public for Mr R. T. Booth's three addresses is an effectual answer to the oft repaated assertion " that as soon as money is more plentiful it would continue to make music for the pulican's ears by jingling in his till, and that impecuniosity was the only cause why ■o many wear the blue ribbon.'' It may be that your correspondent would rather this gift had found its way back again into the old channel, thereby perpetuating the causes which tax the provident in providing for the improvident. Thiß free giving to the cause, which has been a blessing to so many homes, Is significant, and gives promise of even a better state of things in the near future.

" Only A Heathen" could display such ignorance of the temperance crusade when he s»ys, "We do not find either the Anglican Church or the Church of Rome running mad after the fads of one kind and another." "Only a Heathen" would call the temperance cause a fad, and characterise those who join it as " running mad." In a review of "The Temperance Year, 1884," we find the following : " The Church of England Temperance Society of England reports branches in thirty out of the thirty-two dioceees, wilh a grand total of 553,152 members. The society also haß a women's union and a juvenile union, and is carrying on operations amongst the railway men, in the army and navy, and various other classes. The Catholic Total Abstinence League of the Cross, which hat held itn twelfth annual meeting, publishes no statistics, but its branches are working with vipour, and are stimulated by the personal example as well as enlightened by the far-sighted addresses on all phases of tbe movement which the CardinalArchbishop of Westminster is constantly in the habit of delivering."

If 4l Only a Heathen" had added " Chinee " to his norn de plume, tiia ignorance might have been excusable, but for a person of some apparent intellectual ability to rush into print with statements (possibly inspired by his " pint of stout ") that are not true, it is difficult to say what other signature he could have given. Blue Ribbon.

Oamaru, May 29, 1885.

A Battlvsnake's Bite. —1 he quick venom of the rattlemake baa not killed bo many people at the more ina'diaus but dettdly poisons found in the air of foul rooms. Tbe »«r»tion of the blood by the lungs becomes impossible tometlmes, and the faiting health, growing weakness, and loos of appetite are harbiDgera of approaching death. For tuoh cases Hop Bitters are the potent ani all-powerful remedy to drive all fevers out cf the system, pnrifying the blood, and giving a oew and happy leaae of life. Get Bwrolnt.l