CONFESSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8483, 6 February 1891, Page 3

CONFESSION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,ln the sunny land of the kangaroo, \ on the identical spot where Sir Julius en- ! acted his unique and didactive drama in recognition of chose golden scenes in which millions were borrowed and buried without any hope of a glorious resurrection, we know --or ought to know—"what is meant by leaps and bounds." In modern journalism nothing has been so phenomenal as the novel and nascent formulary advocated by Mr. Stead. One of the characters in a work of fiction by Mr. Gladstone appears to have suggested the idea that confession under certain circumstances is productive of inestimable benefit. Helen Middleton, in a moment of passion, commits a rash act, which unfortunately results in the death of her cousin, who falls on some slimy steps, thence into a pool of water, and is drowned. Not having the moral courage to state the facts, and thereby exculpate herself from intent, the secret smoulders into the bosom, and ultimately consumes her life. Mr. Stead conjectures there may be in the world many Helen Middletons, and invites any who may be afflicted in mind to correspond with him, undertaking to maintain secresy, and by contact with experts, furnish relief, deliverance, and comfort where possible. Some have regarded the proposal as a travesty on the Confessional, but many others approve the plan, which lays down as a primary principle that • cases are not to be submitted for the purpose of obtaining absolution but in order that the mind by judicious counsel and advice may be unburdened of its load. In cases of physical ailment we hasten to the doctor to obtain advice and relief. It seems much more important that diseases of the mind should have prompt and careful attention. Why should there be no one to prescribe for the. super-sensitive conscience, the palsied will, or the dropsical self-esteem ? If the body which travels but comparatively few stages, reaches its last milestone and perishes, is so important, how much more so the mind, which that body enshrines, and which bears on all its attributes the imprint of immortality ! John Wesley subjected the mind to a most careful and rigid analysis, and in my opinion instituted the class-meet-ing for the identical purpose of supplying the want which the luminous mind of Mr. Stead lias forcibly recognised ; and this institution, in the hands of an astute leader, may be

relied on pro tdnto, as the skill and efficiency of the said leader are capable of evoking and administering. To cover efficiently all the ground, only two additional branches required grafting on the Wesleyan stem, viz., the admission of all parties to the interlocutor, and the swearing of the officers to secrecy. Some may imagine the remedy to be worse than the disease, but if in the person of the high priest who officiates in the mental court is found a man of strict honour, sterling chaacter, sound judgment, genuine sympathy, and sterling ability, the benefit of an appeal when stricken with grief and pierced with anguish, must be incalculable. When a man sutlers m body it is some organ or limb that carries the pain, but when he suffers in his soul it is himself, and we may well ask " a wounded spirit who can bear. —I am, &c., _ , _ ' ■ John Abbott. St. George a Bay Road, Parnell, February 3, 1890. ,