MISSION METHODS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16116, 3 May 1923, Page 9

MISSION METHODS.

(To tne Editor or tbe Herald.]

Sir,—lt is questionable whether criticism in the press of such persons as "Dr." French F. Oliver is, beneficial 01 whether it has the effect of providing the advertisement he courts. At the same time, one feels it is Incumbent to endeavor to induce those who are misled to examine the methods employed. \V'c hear oi the dear old lady who contributes the cost of engaging the Opera House for a week, and another who contributes £25 towards the "mission," and no doubt there are many more who likewise eontribute to carry on tho "good work' while, in our midst, as exemplified by recent advertisements m your columns, we have the hungry and distressed. Is this gallant American bravo enough to publish a list of those who have contributed to the funds of an audited bal-ance-sheet clearly showing the receipts. and expenditure while in Gisborne, or will he merely indulge in evasive generalities and vituperation? According to a press report, someone made a quite innocuous interjection at his meeting on Friday evening, in no way reflecting on women and children, and was met by this disciple of Christ with the reaort. "You're a liar," and the endeavor to excite sympathy, by assuming that the interjection was a reflection on women and children. Then ho invoked the law to protect him, by calling to the ushers to eject the inter jector and report him to the proper authorities, as 'Hhis is a religious service." It would have been interesting to have seen the result if the matter had come before the Court. Willi truly American bombast, reminiscent of the early stages of America's entry into the war, when she proclaimed that she would have 28,000 aeroplanes at the frqrit in six months, yet never succeeded hi getting one to tho firing line, he then proceeded to inform his audience that he was 6ft. 4in. in height and 2101bs in weight. Nevertheless, lam prepared to give £& to any charity you name if he is gam© enough to put on the gloves with Tom Heeney and stand up for Ave threeminute rounds. Has this gentleman answered one challenge which has been given, directly and clearly, without evasions? Wo know that when questioned where he obtained his degree of

"Doctor" from, he did not disclose, whether he was a doctor of divinity or whether he obtained his degree from Yale or Harvard, but merely es T aded the question by stating that he was a finer theologian than anyone in Gisborne, which was no answer at all. Was his answer to the individual who made inquiries as to the Devil on Friday night either relevant or the answer of a theologian ? From his safe shelter he indulges in abuse, and while his vocabulary may be deficient in many respects, "adulterous brutes," '"infidels," ''children of the devil," "liar," and "wag your caroases" seem to bo within it—surely, seemly words to fall from the lips of a servant of the Most High. How long, sir, will the religious bodies and the general public of Gisborne continue to countenance and tolerate this sort of thing?—l am, etc., PRO P ATRIA.