THE OLD AND THE NEW.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7004, 28 July 1884, Page 4

THE OLD AND THE NEW.

to the editor.

Sir,—The power of the Reformation lay in its earnestness, in its consequent contempt of forms and outward show. Our Puritans were ready to suffer all and forsake all for what they believed to be true. Our Covenanters came to an.ohlbarii or a misty glen, despising hunger and danger, to receive spiritual teaching. Ihi3 was in the Old time3-times of earnestness : I reverence them.

_ Now we have the New, which worships iorm and outward show. Architects rack their brains to design grand churches; there are comfortable seats that tbe flesh may feel at ease, and expensive organß that the earthly taste for the beautiful may be delighted. Deacons are employed in raising money by subscriptions and bazaars; parents cease to teach their children with living fire God's Word, but join in a political ory to have the Bible forced into the public schools, to be desecrated as a common book. The sharp line which the Old drew between the spirit and'the flesh—things heavenly and things earthly—ia being everywhere obliterated. Earthly wisdom, fashion, form, and taste overflow the Old. Spiritual Christianity is dying. Formalists daub its pale cheeks with red earth, and shout "All's well." There is little real little earnest in the New: hence I despise it.— I am, &c, ■ , ' '

Scotchman

July 25,