"CIVIS" AND MR C. E. HUTCHINSON. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6897, 25 March 1884, Page 3

"CIVIS" AND MR C. E. HUTCHINSON. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, —" Civis " devotes a note to me to-day in your issue. He says the question iB not that each Presbyterian apenda £5 yearly in drink, but that each Otago Presbyterian spends that sum yearly on drink. The statement cannot be proved. It would be necessary to see the private affairs of these Presbyterians, and then perhaps it could not be proved unless each person kept account. I live to learn, and respectfully ask " Civis " if he can prove how it can be done. " Civis " tells me, unless I can see this, to cease airing niy denseness in the public prints, and to go to some school where I will learn logical grammar. Grammar is meant to teach one how to express his thoughts: I have yet to learn that it teaches logic. I have been writing for the public prints in the Colonies for 10 years, and have never received such advice. And, Sir, my Bible tells me to cry aloud against evil, and to spare not. It tells me to do good unto all while it is in the power of my hand to do it. It tells me my Saviour came to seek and to save the lost, and commands me to go and follow His example. The strong ought to support the weak. No ; while drink is ruining hundreds of my fellow creatures around me, while homes are being desolated and wrecked, while precious never-dying souls are perishing around me through drink, while thousands of innocent children are wanting food and clothing, while these innocent dears are learning sorrow and being led into evil thus in tender years, I cannot hold my peace—l will take their part in spite of all jeers and sneers and opposition. Christ, my Saviour, says He will ask me for the sheaves—the souls—l've won. I must answer. I love the noble cause of temperance, because it seeks to save the lost. If I had the power of convincing men of the evil drink ib doing, my life should be consecrated to it. " Civis," let me tell you that Christ chosa un- , learned fishermen to be fishers of souls and preachers of salvation. Then it does not need good grammarians to densunce drink. " Civis," read your Biblo; cleanse your pen. If you thought right, you would encourage anyone in doing good. So long as I have health, and by the help oE God, i will do all the good I can, and will uphold the weak. —I am, &c,

Chas. E. Hdtchinson,

March 22,