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Thames Star, Volume XXV, Issue 4668, 23 February 1894, Page 2

The following players will represent the Thames I to-morrow: Clark (Capt.) Bachan, Egginton, Allen, Park, Gibbons, Newman, Robinson, Aitken, Paul, and Smith.

A meeting of the Recatta Committee will be held at the Royal Hotel at 8 o'clock this evening, when every member is requested to be present.

The moonlight excursion in the s.s. Ohinemuri last night in aid of the funds of the Hospital was largely patronised, and those on board bad a very pleasant trip. The Naval Band, under Bandmaster Smith, enlivened the proceeding by a number or" selections.

The alleged libel case, Kerry v, Bretf, came ap again yesterday in Chambers. Mr Theo Cooper appeared for the defendant in support of the application that more time be allowed in which to plead, Mr Napier appeared on behalf of the plaintiff, and opposed extension of time being granted. After a lengthy argument Justice Conolly granted au extension of time till the 20lh March.

The Hawke's Bay Herald reports that a little boy named Clareburt, just able to toddle, had a miraculous escape last week, having fallen over a cliff 80ft high, and escaping with a broken collar-bone. The child was picked up senseless, but when a doctor arrived it had recovered so far as to be screaming lustily. Examination revealed only the comparatively small injury already stated, and the child is progressing favorably. The whole of the fall was no'f sheer, but the final drop, after the intermediate projections had been cleared, wa3 nearly 20ft.

We would direct attention to the new advertisement in this issue from Mr Walters.

The Government auditor has been busy investigating the books of the Parnell Borough Council, and has communicated with the Auditor-General's Department, Wellington, in connection therewith.

Messrs A. J. & E. Irvine, who have purchased the stock of Mr H. D, Pike, intend holding a gigantic sale in a few days, further particulars of which will appear iv dae course.

Discussing " the heresy hunt" " Phiz" remarks in Christchurch Truth :—" If it be permissable to use the slang of the profane world in connection with solemn and serious matters the Presbyterian General Assembly must have had a" high old time" yesterday. While all the re9t of the world and his wife were engaged in watching the hunting: of a cricket ball, the Assembly amused themselves by hunting a heretic, and this fine old process is as dear to the average Presbyterian clerical mind as it was to the late lamented Mr Calvin when he slowly roasted the heretic Servetus at Geneva a good many years ago. Personally I have not the faintest objection to the Assembly hunting the Rev. Mr Neil!, and if, in their wisdom, the Assembly determine to fry or otherwise cook Mr Neill, I have nothing to urge against it, so long; as the law of the land is satisfied. At the same time I would respectfully urge upon the Assembly the wisdom of excluding reporters from their deliberations when dirty linen has to be washed. Half the so called t( infidelity" and " ridicule of religion" is not infidelity to or ridicule of the broad tenents of Christianity, but expression of the natural disgust felt by the most sensible laymen at the bair splittings, the snarls and lack of charity of some clerics. I know something about what is euphoniously called Theosophy, and find chfficultv in {understanding why any person, whether Presbyterian minister or not should be pnnisbed for dabbling in the cult. Theosopby, except in some cases, is as harmless and as silly as potichomanie or Berlinwool work. To pretend, as the Assembly do,that it is Atheistic is absurd. Theosophy has no creed to speak about, or, to put it another way. Every Tbeosophist makes his own creed to suit himself- Nevertheless there need not necessarily be, and is not, anything antagonistic to true religion in it, and many Theosophists are persons of blameless life and most charitable, though it is a belief which cannot hold any person of severely logical mind for any length of time. Poor Mi 1 Neill probably, .like many others, has taken up with Theosophy as a distraction from some of the shun and grim doctrines of Presbyterianisai. Had his pioas brethren left him alone and forborne from hunting and harrying him, he would possibly have come out of the whole business without harm other than that which is involved in a damaged table or two and a few household chairs with weak legs, because Theosophy, as a general rule, hnrts nothing bat Hie furniture of its too ardent devotees, By their persecution the Assembly have converted the Rev. Neill into a martyr, and he will now talk Mahatma and listen for creakings in the walls to the day of his death."