CORRESPONDENCE.

Colonist, Volume XXV, Issue 2932, 13 August 1881, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE REVI 'ME.* BERRY'S LECTURE.

-"' 2*o the Editor of the Colonist. .■',. Sir,—The Rev Mr Berry, in lecturing upon " What he saw in America," has made the subject matter public property, and, I sup,poße, qpen:to public criticism; :; Under this "im'pres*sio*n>i[ have jotted down a few thoughts upon one of his topics, and-with your permission .will state them. The subject, is as the lecturer-presented it I thought* h^m^ant to contrast it with the dominant belief of his hearers in respect to morality, social life, and political? conduct. The first thing of importance that I wish to notice was the assertion of the lecturer that any person who possessed any knowledge of phrenology would be struck as-he waV^ifch the aspect of the heads of the Mormohpeopk j,when assembled in the Mormon Temple, " as. •fully ninety-five per cent appeared.-Jfco ■-. be ableto swallow any lie presented; toithem, while the other five per cent appeared to be .capable of manufacturing that lie to be swal.lqwe;d)by : Ilieoiliers. la other/words, I supp6'se afiTe"peirceut i'were leaders aml'-the rest follower? (the five per cent, I understood, --referred to the Bishops and Priests, or Elders. Now, supposing a Mormon was "to* eater any "church or chapel in Nelson, would he be able find five per cent in the building, leaders, or capable of leading or inventing a lie, good isnough to be swallowed? Is It possible" for .any phrenologist to discover that per centaga of leading minds in any ordinary congregation in Christendom ? If the answer1 is in the negative, and I believe it must be, for very few, I fear, of the most intellec'uil people visit any place of worship; then the verdict would be in favor of the Mormons'.intellectual supremacy in the matter of creed. Mr Berry ' appears to have a good intellectual brain, and particularly well-formed in the reasoning powers, so lie should be able to comprehend partly what.a Mormon of equal bra\n power migKtJtHink of our orthodox creeds and 6ongfegations, and-the'contrast that he might present to his fellow-believers, and I would . ask Mr Berry what answer he would make if the .question Va"jJs puf,;to"him: Do the leader a "of yoir church' in'verit'the lie or swallow it ? Would he not think it was prejudging the case before attempting to prove the fallacy existing ? I will make this letter a short one in the hope of your providing ma space for another, and subscribe as a Critic.

Wees the two Royal Prioces were travelling by coach in "an up-country district in Australia they stopped afc an "hotel. Being cold they got out, and ,took it by^ turng to give each ! other a lurn round the yard in a wheelbarrow that was handy. When '•they 3had done, one remarked to the other that he' 'supposed the owner would be fool enough to go and put that, wheelbarrow undelfaglass-case. " Endtmio'n "in • ( ths " Quomiblander " learna that Prince <3-eorge has been Buffering from chilblains on hia toe.' 'He believes that "chilblains will bej fashionable in Australia just now, and'he recommends the aristocracy to apply'to the manager of the meat freezing' manufactory." r Oh, he exclaims, the rapture of' feeling that one's toes itched in concert with those of juvenile royalty ! - The"' New Zealand 'times ' recently published a list of "the pensions paid by New Zealand. -Prom this if dppears that the annual pawaanta amount to no less than £26,201 6* 2d, and the total amount already paid by the Oplony, exclusive of pensions which have'ceased,1 and not taking iato consideration contingent reductions or, the amount of the Civil list, itr£169,065 9s I.' The annual payments on the Civil list amounts to £4.090. ; ' •'*:,, ' Bra' Sydney telegram wa hear that i Messrs' Kbbert and William Barrow, the largest farmers in the Albury distric^'qulCivating 300£facres, have been ent¥rtaine'd'~ safe "a banquet, and were each presented with a valuable gold -watch- bearing., a fluitable-inscription. The compliment was paid by the neighboring farmers'-in'y recognition of 4Be~merits bf tne firni as Jarge employers oria'bor;5' but' eepecialJy for their services to the grain groweia by \ buyjng wheat at a higher price thaa the "millers would give.

Information cornea from Ballarat "thaXA whip deserted from the fleet in Hobson'sßay hisdeliFered. himself to the officers of the BaccKante. The " Ballarafc Star" aays the young geatlemaa had no taste for the pro* fessioDyJand'this is hit second attempt to rie^ith^. serwcV/A.. young lady appeared to be the attraction. He .was,taken on board by an eldwly ;4ientielman l iaccompanied by the ia* ataorata herself. The scene between -cha;tw;o c at.parting was said to be truly Heartrenditig; but during a seasonable term of confinomeat oppprtuaity will | beofforedfor.hiirfcoTery.