THE GOSPEL AND BLUE RIBBONISM.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3972, 4 June 1885, Page 3

THE GOSPEL AND BLUE RIBBONISM.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— On me when dunces are satiric I t-,ke it for a panegyric ; Hated by fools, and fools to hate, Be that my motto and my fate.

" A Lover of Temperance" in this moming's issue essays to defend Mr R. T. Booth, and invokes to his aid the names of several bishops and other clerical persons. A more unfortunate step he could not have taken, for it is well known that these patrons and frequenters of Exeter Hall can be made use of for the iuitherance of any scheme set afoot under shelter of the gospel and "goody goodyiam," and are just as easily duped as the gondy goodies of any little town in the colonies. They dare not raise theii voices against anything which is heralded by the gospel. In England the people are much more under the soothing thumb of the church and the clergp than we are here ; there the parson thinks for the people, who must believe —

Theirs not to reason why, Theirs to believe and die.

Bere it is different. People dare and choose I to think for themselves, and are not blind to the fact that those who would and do use the gospel for their own base paltry ends ! are, alas, too plentiful. The bishops live by the gospel. It is the bread of life to them, and they would like to see it used as a substitute for all scientific and mecbani cal appliances. If by its power they can move mountains, more easily could they ] bore the channel tunnel. They must have the Gospel in and around everything ; and why not ? Does it not provide good lat livings ? But I am told it has been revised and altered to coincide with modern thought. This news produces iv one a comfortable feeling as to the supposed fate of those blind ones who for eighteen centuries believed it was all inspired and that error or inaccuracy could not possibly have crept in. It reminds me of a verse of an old song : Some say tho devil's dead, And buried in Killaruey ; More say ho rose again, And listed iv the army. Poor old chap ! His occupation, it appears, 19 gone. He served his day, and waa a grand factor in his way. We shall never see bis like again. I cannot see, Sir, why any social reform cannot be effee'ed without the aid of tne Gospel just as easily as a bill is pasted through parliament, where neither the Gospel nor intemperance appears to interfere very much with the business of the country. And it is a remarkable fact that the Premier is the presideut of the Dunedin freethougrht association, at whose meeting* thegospel as preached in Christian churches socaliedjis not only never heard but is excluded. Yet he appears to possess the confidence of the Colony. Where, I ask, was the all powerful Gospel when the State of Maine demanded prohibition ? When was it when the Licensing Bill came before the parliament of New Zealand session alter session 1 And vrhero is it now, when people will not trouble their heads about voting against the increase of public houses in nearly all the licensing districts ? Echo answers, Where ? ] believe in liberty of speech, thought and action, compatible with decency and the statute law under which we live. I approve of and practice moderation in the use of drink and food, and I look upon the glutton as a more loathsome creature than the vilest drunkard. For swinish gluttony Ne'er looks to heaveu amidst her gorgeous fea&fc, But with besotted, base ingratitude Crams, aud blasphemes her feeder. The Blueßibbonist disregards moderation and will have nought but violent extremes, by which be never can and never will accomplish his desired end. Were he to adopt a middle course and advocate moderation he would most certainly do some good and would attract to his side men of common sense, intelligence, and education. As it is, by his dogmatic insolence he repels and disgusts them. In my two previous letters, Sir, I deall exhaustively with the whole question, and to them must refer "A. L O. T." for a complete answer to all he urges. He refers to my love of beauty and strength. I thank him, for I love the beauty of truth, and admire its power. While others fish with craft for great opinion, I with great Truth catch mere simplicity ; While some with cunning, gild their copper

crowns,

With truth anil plainness I do wear mine bare

I am Sir yours,— but stay, I observe a large fly spot in your colutna just a little beneath the signature of " A. L. O. T." I merely draw your attention to it ; possibly it escaped your notice. What arc the branches of tbe true vine about, that I am still

Only a Heathen?

June, 2, 1885.

A Great Business —The United States of Amedoa Is the borne of some very large enterprises, but none perhaps greater than tho busineea conducted by Mr G. CJ. Green, of Woodbury New Jersey, U.S.A. He is the proprietor of the well-known Boschee'a German Syrup, which is unequalled ss a remedy for Pulmonary and Bnnchial affections. He manufactures also Green's Angus 1 Flower for Dyspepsia and all disorders of the Liver. These preparations are üßed throughout the oivilized world and thousands testify to their valuable curative pro* pertles, Both these preparations have reached an immense sale solely on their merits. Sample bottles of eaoh are sold at 6d, or full-sized bottles at 3s 6d. All drugclstß keep them. dr2o

The Greatest Blessing.— A simple, pure, harmleßß remedy that cures every time and prevents disease by keeping the blood pure, stomach regular, kidneys and liver aotive, is the greatest blessing ever conferred upon man. Hop Bitterß Jb that remedy, and the American company the genuine manufacturers, are being blessed by thousands who have been cured by it. Try it. See,

Oamaru.

ACHAN.

NORTH OTAGO TIMES, TiUfirt'DHY, TONS 4. 1885

i

B

m