ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 59, 2 June 1863, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

WE DO NOT HOLD OURSELVES RESPONSIBLE FOR THB OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY OUB COBRESPONDENTS. ( To the Editor of the Invercargill Times.) Sir. —Decency imposes salutary restraints on conduct in all those relations of life, ■which distinguishes any civilisation from barbarism ; but those restraints are the nicest that have grown up with that highest form of civilisation which the world owes to the religion of Christ. The refined feelings of men revolt more at nothing thnn at a strange presuming to use familiariti; , which intimr ie friends yvoui "1 neither take, nor be allowed to take, within the pale of friendship. Independently of the awfulne ; of making commonplace of the most ennobling prospects which the human soul cherishes rs to its destiny in the designs of Jehovah, the institution of the Christian worship of the Deity deserves the most reverential consideration, on account of. -he temporal benefits which it confers on society. Through its instrumentalitv the virtues which elevate character are ever invitingly presented to the public mind for election; and the vices which d.^rade are exhibited in their moral repu'- ivenecs. As long as honor is reputable in men, and fidelity in women, so long must the name, the example, and the religion of Christ command the highest reverence of the human b c irt. On these several accounts every attempt tending to bring that institution in contempt, or to make it commonplace, is a crime a -ainst society. There is an insult offered, not only to that institution, but to common courtesy, by the temper and remarks of the letter of a ""Stranger," given in your l"ifc issue. If he were not as great a strai ,-er to good breeding as to the spirit of Christ' r'.ty, any sincere wish to effect a reform would induce him, before rushing into the public prints, to find faults with a specified minister's manner of conducting his ministrations, to put him Jf in friendly communication with some of the influentrl re inters of the con r jation, and through them £et a proper representation made to the clergyman. This mefchou would not be unlikely to effect any necessary good purpose, it would be manly, and it would not be unchristian. Instead, he has adopted a course which is as offensive to good mnnners, as it is repugnant to Christian principle. These remarks avoid altogether a public discussion of the specific topics he takes up. In propriety, they are quite amenable to congregational friendship. When there is neither scandal, insidious indoctrination, or open rupture between a pastor and his congregation, a " Stranger" goes beyond his province w. meddling in this most glaring'y rude manner. A Chip oj? the Oxd Block.