Horrible!

Observer, Volume XIV, Issue 793, 10 March 1894, Page 3

Horrible!

A couple of weeks ago I published a facsimile of ' a return ticket to Heaven,' iseued by an Auckland religious body for distribution amongst the faithful. Sinoe that ticket was reproduced in the Observes a Palmerston North correspondent has favoured me with a ' leaflet ' distributed broadcast in his town, which, in sporting parlance, runs the paBS to the celestial regions very hard for first place. One side of this thing bears a bold woodcut of a full-rigged Bhip in full sail, and apparently travelling at the rate of about 22 knots an hour. Beneath the cat is : • Emkjbanis. For time of sailing, destination, etc., see other side.' The ' other side' furnishes full particulars of the intended sailing of the Gospel Ship from the City of Destruction for Emmanuel's Land, under the captaincy of Jesus Christ. We are told that everything will be supplied on the voyage, and the announcement concludes in these words : ' All who refuse to go on board will be tormented in the lake of fibe for ever and ever.'

I don't know what church or sect is responsible for the distribution of this leaflet. What Ido know is that it seems a most improper thing for any religious body to distribute. Such things are calculated to bring religion into contempt, to excite the jeers of the unregenerate, the condemnation of all who have the cause of true religion at heart. And observe the reference of the ' lake of fire, for ever and ever,' and say whether you think that in this age of enlightenment, such references are fitting, or decent, or seemly ? Thirty years ago or thereabouts, the ' lake of fire ' was freely introduced into pulpit discourses. Thirty years ago or thereabouts preachers vied with one another in drawing realistic word-pictures of the grilling of the unrepentant and those who did not believe just what they believed. Thanks to greater enlightenment, the spread of education, more liberal views, the fiery lake and the grilling have, to s very large extent, dropped out of oar sermons, and our ' good ' books. lam sorry to see the old bogie has been revived at Palmerston North.