Page 4 Advertisements Column 1

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 96, 3 April 1847, Page 4

[advertisement.] To the Editor of the New-Zealander. Sir,—-Some people appear to be never so well pleased as when ihey see themselves in print; accustomed to prate nonsense by the hour, provided they can obtain an audience, they vainly imagine they can enlighten the public by putting their opinions upon record in some publication- Unto such a class (I have no hesitation in saying) belongs your last week's correspondent, Giiffin, of the 1 0. O. F., M. U. To every such person I would recommend a better acquaintance with the subject, before he steps forward and modestly announces himself the " Sir Oracle," who is capable of deciding all questions of difliculty, whose opinions have been so frequently consulted, and who, therefore, to relieve himself from the trouble of replying to the wearying importunities of his Ignorant Ureihrcn, comes forward, once for all, and magnanimously settles all disputed points of controversy. It would be idle and superfluous to attempt a refutation of the opinions advanced by Mr. Griffin, so far as members of the I. O. O. F. are concerned, who have made themselves at all acquainted with the laws; but in order to rescue the institution from the obloquy that such opinions are calculated to fasten on it among those of the public who are unacquainted with Odd Fellowship, it may be as well, (.is your correspondent srys), " once for all"," to assert that no such laws as he has alluded to exist, neither is there any religious test whatever required to be subscribed to by candidates for admission. If a man be a good moral character he is eligible to become a member, and may make equally as good a one as Mr. Griffin, notwithstanding his peculiar theological opinion. The order of Odd Fellowship is ad mired for its liberal and catholic views; it brings together in the bonds of friendship and chaiity, people " of the most discordant opinions," and diffuses its benevolent purposes far and wide, without respect to sectarian prejudices. It is well known, that in England Jews, and even Mahomedans, are admitted, and become good and useful members. Why, then, should Mr. Griffin, or Mr. anybody else, stand in the highway to admission, and endeavour to prevent all those from passing by who refuse to pronounce the Shibboleth of liis own peculiar fiasning? "The time vns, That when the Inains i\ere out Tho man wuultl die." Is Mr. Griffin ignorant of the fact, that no religious discussions whatever are tolerated ;n the Lodge? Vi hy then should he be afiaid ol coining into eontioMwth pernicious and dangerous principle- I D>> the theological opinions 00/ctluough the hkin, and is the Uieedcd