LOCAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8354, 6 September 1890, Page 1 (Supplement)

LOCAL GOSSIP.

••Let me have audience for a word or two." —Shakuptre. 4 suppose there is no doubt that we are 'now in the presence of a great social movement—an upheaval of the mighty ocean from the bottom, and not a mere ripple on the surface. It is interesting to draw back for a few minutes from tho turmoil of tho strikes, and to endeavour to find out the primal cause of this movement. It will always be found, I think, in such circumstances as these, that tho change which is gradually evolving comes about from a modification of religious belief. Some people will be inclined to laugh afa that statement, but it is true. They will come to a right conclusion if they think steadily about it. " Out of tho heart are the issues of life," and it is no less true that our social state and condition are founded on religious idea?, and that no great social change, no revolution, lias over occurred without a religious basis. Then, what is the religious change of tho last half century, for that is, undoubtedly, the cause of the revolt of labour, which first manifested itself in power in the London Dock Strike ? 1 take it that the great alteration in religious feeling has been the pushing back into the realm of shadows the whole future life, and the making paramount and all in all tho present life. The mass of the people now are all Agnostics as respects eternity. They do not" vehemently deny Heaven or Hell, but they ignore them. Even from the pulpit the reality of those things is not pressed upon us as formerly. Half-a-century ago wo were told that wo must not look to this life for the satisfaction of our being or for happiness. Tho three score years and ten of man's existence were nothing and of no account compared with the illimitable expanse of eternity before us. This life was a mere preparation for the next. Hero we had no abiding city ; here everything was fleeting and fugacious. Bunyan " Pilgrim's Progress" was read and believed in. This world was but a Vanity Fair. The path of life led the pilgrim through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, wherein were all manner of demons and of hobgoblin?. He had to encounter Giant Despair, and to make his escape from Doubting Castle. He had to fight Apollyon, being sorely wounded in the struggle. When a pleasant meadow was seen it must be avoided, because it might be a temptation and a snare. The Land of Beulah had many delights, and the Delectable Mountains had charms for the weary pilgrim, but chietlv because from one point glimpses could be "had of the glorious city on the other side of the river—a city whose streets were of pure gold, and whose gates were pearls, and where were the apostles and martyrs who had come through great tribulation.

" The Pilgrims Progress" is now only a literary curiosity, prized for the marvellous purity and simplicity of its English. Its entire ideal has passed away, and cannot be found except in corners here and there. The working man has ceased to believe in it. He i? not content to look forward to a life of hard toil, ceasing only with the grave, and to anticipate that in some way it is all to be made up to him in a future existence. He is not content to give up all idea of enjoying the good things of the world, because this life is nothing, and the glories cf Paradise are before him. He thinks he will be none the worse of having some enjoyments here and now ! He is not at all sure of the next world, but he is sure of this, and he is sure that he likes good things, and if he is a married man, he is sure' that he likes to dress his wife and his children well, and to have plenty of holidays.

Is not this the truth, and is not this the prime cause of the demand for more power for the working-men, more leisure, more pay ; I have said that ail revolutions have their origin in change of religious belief. When Rome passed from a Republic into an Empire, the people were growing too intelligent to believe in the gods whom their fathers had revered, and at that date, also, in Judea, in "the fulness of time," at the confluence of the ages, was born one who directed the influences then brooding over humanity. In France, at the period of the Revolution, all revolt against the State religion had been crushed, and it hail become a matter of form and State ceremonial, j Voltaire and Rousseau had written, and not in vain. And now we have our Henry Georges and our Bellamys telling the millions that they ought to be better off, and to have more of the enjoyments of life. Those men who are run after now, and whose books are read, have nothing at all to say about another state of existence. This world is all in all to them. And so we have a poor book like " Looking Backward sold by the thousand, end read by workingmen—as we see, not without result ! he nobles and priests of France sneered at the ideas of Rousseau, but, as Carlyle says, " the skins of these men went to bind the second edition of his books. Our hope for the present crisis is in this—that the work-ing-man, especially in the colonics, has been enjoying more of the good things of this life than ever before, and therefore that to some of his demands it is safe to say, No, because it is right to do so.

I feel conscious that in writing the above paragraphs 1 have been somewhat more sombre than usual, and I crave my readers' indulgence. These notions have weighed upon me for for a good while, and I beg no one to think they are absurd till lie considers where we are all going to with our young people growing up, and receiving no religious teaching. A few days ago I went to the labour meeting at the City Hall, and in a day or two thereafter to the meeting at the Insurance Buildings of "merchants, employers, and others." I found a curious divergency in ideas running through these gatherings. J was surprised to find chat the grand and lofty motives were confined to the meeting of employers. At the City Hall the idea which ran through all the speeches was, that it was necessary for men to be associated into Unions in order to protect their rights from the encroachments of employers, who made it a rule to get labour at a- cheap a rate as possible. At the meeting in the Insurance Buildings, on the other hand, it was declared, amid the assenting applause of all present, that the only motive the merchants had for carrying on business at all was the benefit of the workmen, and to give them the means of livelihood. This was said, and was not laughed at, but the contrary. I confess that that is not my experience or observation, but as the employers themselves have said it, it must be true, and I must have been quite mistaken. It is very good of them indeed to carry on business with that motive alone.

Everything is standing still. One thinks of the Sleeping Beauty in the wood, who slept in the castle, and all things remained around her just as they were till a Prince came, and with a sweet and peaceful kiss awoke the maiden, and then tho tide of life resumed its How. No such happy fate as sleep for us, for we must live somehow, if possible. When will the hundred summers die,_ Arid thought and time b« born sixain, And newer knowledge, drawing nigh, Bring truth that sways the souls of men ?

Anyone who would dissolve this enchantment under which wo suffer, and would awaken industry again, would be welcome.

The behaviour of some of the boys at the giving of University diplomas at the Choral Hall a few days ago was simply scandalous. It was disgraceful to them and to the teaching and the discipline to which they have been subjected. The youths who were the most conspicuous seemed to be Grammar School pupils. They were simply brutal, stupid cubs. I have heard of noisy demonstrations at collcge gatherings, arid, indeed, I have seen a few, but I never witnessed or heard of anything so bad as this. College rows are usually relieved by some display of wit or pleasantry. A teacher may be chaffed by allusions to his weaknesses, but our "young gentlemen " had no wit. They indulged in loud guffaws of horse laughter, bub ib was at their own success in preventing those in the hull from hearing what was said. There was not a spark of wit amongst them. They could do nothing but keep stamping with their feet. J. wonder that the policeman who was standing close by did not run thorn out. If these are the youths for whom the country spends large sums to establish universities, and maintain professors, then wo are throwing pear la before , swine.

In last week's paper a question was pub in this column, apropos of a candidate for municipal honours in a suburban borough, as to nether a person who had been bankrupt could stand. I may say that the question had no relation at all to the Auckland municipal elections now pending in the different wards.

A correspondent who professos himself to be a profound student; of tho Scriptures takes compassion on " E.C.U." and Mr. J. \V. Tibbs (and also, by the way, on mo) for the fog they are in about turning to the East. I quote the conclusion of his letter :—

If you will carefully read the 6th chapter, 37th, 38th, 39th verses, of the _nd Book of Chronicles, or the 47th, .18th, and 4Jth verses of the Bth chapter of the Ist Book oi_ Ivings, you will see why Daniel, when in captivity, turned to the west when praying. Babylon is east of Jerusalem; and the reason the English Church turns to the east is because the British nation are the dispersed ten tribes of Israel, lhere are a great many old customs and other things that the English nation do, and the" don't know why they do it, because they don't know who they are. but the time is fast approaching when God will show them and all other nations who they are ; tor un til Israel is found Christianity is a failure, Ihe finding of Israel will bring all nations to Christ.

I hope that " E.C.IT." and Mr. Tibbs will accept this explanation, which is the most feasible I have met with.

And another writes from the Thames ■ —

Friend Mercutio,— have read words m the Herald that I much admire, and some that 1 feel sorry to say show much ignorance on the part of Anglican ministers. I mean, of course, on the eastern position in the service of the English Church. Now, friend, if you will look at the Otli chapter of the '2nd Book of Chronicles, Iteith and :59th verses, it will give you or others a clear insight into this question. I would prefer that the whole chapters should be read to gain a clear conception of the whole matter. It this should cause someone to look in the good Old Book for themselves, they may understand. As regards choristers in the Anglican Church, I tmd in the sth chapter of the '2nd Hook of Chronicles, .llth to 14th verses, a description of these being dressed in white linen garincuts. There are other traits that could be mentioned that go to prove that the Anglican Church follows close upon the heels of the old Israelites. Their service ot prayers are grand—none like them in the world. t is Israel all through.—God make them all thorough Israelites is the earnest prayer of, yours, etc., R. Morgan, Thames.

Another correspondent writes : — My Dkar Mercutio,— I am at all times pleased with your remarks as given in the Weekly News, and on receipt of my paper this day I turned as usual, first of all, to Local Gossip, and am glad to tiiul that you have this week taken notice of the action of the Rev. Mr. Berry at a public meeting held in Wellington, to protest against the further introduction of "poor John Chinaman," who, amongst other vile things, gives to the people living in large cities and towns firstclass vegetables in abundance, and at a price at which 1 venture to affirm said vegetables could not be obtained at from any other source. You have, however, in my opinion, failed to point out the gross inconsistency of Mr. Berry's action in this matter, inasmuch as he dill, from his place in the pulpit, quite recently, in pretty strong terms, denounce the action of a certain society in trying to boycott NVhiteombe and Tombs, and strongly advocated fair play. How the rev. gentleman can reconcile his latter with his former conduct is a matter no thoughtful Christian can understand. I am not going here to attempt to prove either for or against the indiscriminate introduction of the Chinese ; but as a firm believer in the doctrines as taught by Christ, I am utterly at a loss to account for Mr. Berry's conduct, and am forced to the conclusion that self-interest lias so blinded his eyes, and hardened his heart, that lie has been led to adopt expediency at the cost of principle, and in the doing so lie has pandered to the wishes of the thoughtless, instead of acting on the teachings of his divine Lord and Master. I am, and have been for many years, greatly interested in the Chinese question, and often wonder after all if it be their vices or their virtues that most alarm us as Britishers. In conclusion, I think I ought to explain that I believe in freetrade and common sense, hence mv inability to see the justice of boycotting Ilohn Chinaman while Whiteombe and Tombs go free.—l am, etcAlbkkt Elliott, Fanner, lvaino, August 30.

"Justice" sends the following, which I give in justice : — Referring to Local Gossip of this day, and the paragraph commencing with "circumstances alter cases," I have no doubt that " Mereutio" is right, and that some members of local bodies are self-seeking, and consequently often appear to vote inconsistently. In the case mentioned " Mereutio'' has been misled. The miserable clerk mentioned was appointed under peculiar circumstances. The local body required a person to clean offices, &c., the pay for which was £26 per annum. The secretary asked at the same time for extra clerical assistance, and suggested a cadet at £30. The chairman had given it as his opinion that the present staff was sufficient; the difficulty was arranged by an agreement to advertise for a man. The proposer of the resolution asserting that capable men would offer their services to clean and to assist in clerical work for £1 per week, this was accepted in preference to engaging two persons about the offices. A large number applied, the members of the local body were well canvassed, and the result excited as much interest as any of the elections to good appointments. The present incumbent, the miserable clerk of " Mereutio." obtained the situation, and was very thankful, but few expected him to remain, looking upon it as only a stepping-stone to a better billet elsewhere, but for some reason, although the man has influential friends, he has not been successful in obtaining other employment, and now members of the local body are urged to raise his salary and permanently place him on public pay. Members of this particular local body cannot be charged with want of sympathy : indeed, there is rather too much of it, and the particular member singled cut by "Mercutio" lias a full share, and but for a high sense of duty would have given way in this case.

This denial just leaves the matter where I put it. It is a melancholy instance of a waste of time, pen, ink, and paper to give so long an explanation of facts which he practically admits. Merc a no.