OLD PETER PIPER ON OUR TUAPEKA MOUTH CORRESPONDENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 33, 26 September 1868, Page 3

OLD PETER PIPER ON OUR TUAPEKA MOUTH CORRESPONDENT.

Sic, — A letter appeared in your last \ issue, purporting to be from a correspondent at Tuapeka Mouth ; and after lauding to the skies the Rev. Mr. M'Nicol, falls foul of the other two Eeverend gentlemen of tho district — the Eevds. Dr. Copland and Martin, both gentlemen of high repute in the neighborhood as eminent Christians and sound divines. With tho writer 1 have nothing in common, 83 he has neither shown himself the Christian nor the gentleman; and but for the sake of a respoctablo journal, I should' not have troubled myself by noticing the venom of your correspondent. I do hope that the letter in question got into the Times by a " fluke," or side wind ; and that its venom was not discovered until it was too late to remedy tho evil. There is nothing so calculated to raise a people or a country as a free press ; but it is possible to ' use that freedom to the serious hurt of individuals; and damage them in the eyes of the public ; and the matter becomes more damaging when the person attacked happens — as in the case before vs — to be a Christian Minister. There can bo no higher office than a faithful Minister of the gospel, and there is a greatresponsibilityrestingwith the gentlemen of the press in admitting that into their paper which may cause them much sorrow. It is of no manner of uso talking about the independence of the press— there is no such a thing ; it rests with the public to make the press independent, and I am much mistaken if the moral tone of the people is snch that they would like to see their Ministers majligned. The public have the press \in their own hands, and if the press runs counter to public opinion, the I public will soon right themselves in regard to it. I have a great respect for Mr. M'Nicol and his co-workers ; and from what I know of them I feel confident that they will not endorse the language of their champion. lam sure every right thinking man is at issue with your correspondent for his unmanly censure of Dr. Copland. I consider the district owes the doctor a deep debt .of gratitude for his willingness to practise as a medical man, especially in the most important cases of midwifery — for he is ever at hand, and always sober; and I think the public are well satisfied with his services and gladly pay the fee. " The laborer is worthy of hi 3 hire," but in many cases Dr. Copland makes no charge, and of those who are too poor to pay a professional fee he asks nothing. But as regards the ministerial office ; it is well known that tho two gentlemen named have taken in as much ground as they can occupy singlehanded, and it is also known that in their respective churches they have nona to fall back upon, if Mr. N'Mcol has to visit Waipori, the Teviot, Tuapeka Mouth, or other outstations, lie has a host of laborers to take his place — every station is occupied, and every man at his post. Not so with the other Ministers who serve under an absolute power, and every laborer in their connexion must have graduated at some high place of learning, and' must liave obtained university honors. They have 0, power in their churches, but for tlie curse of " red tape " they dare not use ifc. But it appears the Wesleyans lave taken up the station at the Tuapeka Mouth, and they are the best possible sect in the Christian Church to do so, as they have a power in lay agency which no other denomination possesses. Mr. M'Nicol is surrounded with several pious men who have graduated at the feet of the Great Teachci', and are thereby capable of teaching some truth to their fellow men. In the Wesleyan Church there are no drones ; as soon as a man or woman is converted, they set about doing something in their Master's cause. Other churches have the same power, but I think they do not wisely abstain calling: it into requisition. If ever the world is to be converted it must be in a great measure by lay agency. — I remain, Sir, your's faithfully, Old Peteb Pipes. Wetherstones Braes, Sept. 22nd, 1868.