PASTOR BIRCH'S VAGARIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8541, 15 April 1891, Page 3

PASTOR BIRCH'S VAGARIES.

" Audi alteram partem." TO TIIE EDITOR. Sir, —In a letter of this date *m your columns, some person lias gone behind the name of " Christian," and in ex parte statements, ostensibly to be-little the • Pastor, has really succeeded in betraying himself; the whole production being at right angles with the spirit and genius of Christianity. If the saint will doff his mask, enter the arena, we shall be dazzled with the spectacle of his helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteously -s, shield of faith, and sword of the spirit, i ' "11 look in. vain for his " girdle of trutn. The representation of what took place at the Choral Hall was no more like a fair and honest criticism than would be the passing of a few dark clouds over the face of sunlit sky as a faithful portrayal of the character of the day when the transit took place. " Christian," as detractor and accuser, has painted the shady side of the Pastor's character and career. I was present at the service last evening, and may there-, fore be pardoned for taking up the brush and throwing in the light—if with delicate hand and gentle touch I succeed as well as youi correspondent, the production will be a masterpiece. 1. The Pastor nobly vindicated the faith once delivered to the saints. 2. He pointed out clearly the way to the Cross. ■ ■ i * 3. He exhibited lux muncli, and declared the plenitude, fulness, and efficacy of the Grand Atonement. 4. He expounded the cardinal doctrine of justification by faith, and sanctification through the Spirit, and earnestly appealed to his attentive concourse to lay hold on these truths as a passport to eternal life. This may be the foolishness of preaching, but it carries the sanction of the highest authority in the universe, and ratifies the aphorism of a great man, " that all religion has relation to life, and the life of religion is to do good." With all his idiosyncrasies, the Pastor appears to have grasped this central fact, and the overwhelming numbers attending his ministrations is an evidence of the truth of this assertion. Were it otherwise, they would long ago have forsaken him and flea. —I am, etc., ' - John Abbott. St. George's Bay Road, Parnell, April 14, 1891.