Correspondence.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 1363, 10 March 1876, Page 3

Correspondence.

PREACHING IN CAMPS. TO THE EDITOB, OP TIIB TIMABTT HERALD. Sib,— l would dosiro to call attention, ' through the medium of your journal, to a : subject which requires the most earnest con- ■ sideration of all the various denominations of ; clergy, vi55., the preaching of the Gospel to '■ roud parties. In these colonies ' thero are' thousands of men employed .year af tor year in . making our roads, and no attempt whatever is ) made to christianise them. Most of them are men of benevolent t^spositions, and capable of tho ■ most uoble and generous actions, but who, as.; far as religion is concerned, are living in, as ,, profound a state of heathenism as the most; . enthusiastic missionary could wish to ,pn-tj lighten. Some few there are amongst them' religioulsy inclined, but from 'want of a littlo ",| timely support or encouragement fall by the way. Over four years now X ' have been ' travelling the. colonies, ■ and; during'the 'whole ' ; of that time] I have seen but' one Mra\B(:er of" God toiiching the way to salvation^ to rougli, • honest and ! hardworking; men. ■ Iflhall neveri'! forget'.the eJGfeci his BecOnd sermbii' produced :! on his miscellaneous audience ; whilst pointing .'. | out the way: of Life Eternal, in hisieaxnest,: ■ quiet mitrner, ; many ar: head was ) bow:«dia.Sd; , > many a tear rushed from, the eyes of: Btalwai;t. o men, ■ ,who, ' if no^ , convinced of- their errors, ( , , were at least awakened ; to their state. la- , calculable good could be done. by a f,ew. earnest, > Christiansjwho would not despiae.the humble-^ . tent or a meal in the "galley, in, striving to ' bring their follow men to the foot of the Cross. , Many and many a time I have asked old road- .' men if,. in the course of their experience, they. , had over heard the Word of God preached 1 in 1 : the camp, and tho ' invariable answer has been ■' No! I do sincerely 4 hope ' : that' this matter' ■• wi'Vreceive some consideration atthehftndg. -. .of those who areappointed to -look after tlie ■ : spiritual interests of others; and ■'■ that'. somo';.> steps will bo taken to disseminate the Gospels: amongst road partieß. ■■■.-.( :; : :; ■'..• : I have, &C., . . ■ r ; : : :: . .-.,. v i •■. •; -IBOSS; :-H