MR. EWINGTON'S LECTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4483, 27 March 1876, Page 3

MR. EWINGTON'S LECTURE.

To the Editor of the Herald. Sik,—l notice a letter on the above subject in a late number o£ your paper, signed "J.W.," which, perhaps, some may erroneously fancy emanated from me. I have my own idea of these lectures. Mr Ewington, I have reason to think, an amiable and just man, and one who would not wilfully injure anyone. But I question much if these lectures be not against charity, and they are perhaps quite unnecessary for any good end. Many things'were done in the past by both Catholics and Protestants, under the influence of evil passions, which it were well had never been done. They reflect everlasting disgrace and infamy to those who did them. Would it not be better for the public interests, for the credit of the Christian religion, and of human nature itself, that such transactions should be allowed to sleep in oblivion for ever, and not be unnecessarily brought before the public, and especially the younger portion of the public, in the way Mr. Ewington has of late been doing. Handle these transactions as delicately and impartially as he may, their recital can only tend to keep alive, or to intensify strong and hateful feelings o£ religious and party animosity, which were a reproach to the age in which they arose. The cheers with which certain portions of Mr. Ewington's lectures were received evidently shewed, in my opinion, how strongly the sectarian feelings of his audience had been excited. Antipathy and hatred to the Catholic Church, and everything Catholic, were probably encouraged by these lectures very unfairly, whatever might have been the lecturer's intentions, —more especially at the present crisis. 1 do not say this from any wish that the evil deeds of Catholics should be excused or concealed. Let them be exposed in all their deformity, if you will, but then, as a matter of justice, the wickedness of those opposed to Catholics should be exposed too as fully. This is what I think a public evil, a nuisance, an exhibition of human depravity of which we should all be heartily ashamed. Is it not rather the office of charity to draw a veil over these actions, and to pray God to shew mercy to those who hare to answer for them at judgmentseat.—l am, Ice. J. Wood.