THE PASSING SHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17412, 26 May 1928, Page 13 (Supplement)

THE PASSING SHOW.

COMMENT AND CRITICISM. (By "Free Lance.") Tuesday and Wednesday next, according to the British-Israel cult, will be fraught with great events affecting this earth of ours, for it is declared that then will he ushered in > the resumption of the Great Tribulation which is to culminate in the great war of Armageddon and the end of the present dispensation on September 15 and 16, 1936. These predictions, it is claimed, are based upon calculations and measurements in connection with the Great Pyramid in Egypt, it being averred that ibis was built under Divine inspiration, that it enshrines a Divine revelation, and that that revelation refers to the Messiah, the people of lhe Messiah, and the Messianic Kingdom, and it is held to be the “pillar” to which the Prophet Isaiah refers as “being sent for a sign and for a witness with the Lord off Hosts in the Land of Egypt.” Those who propound this theory claim that everything connected with the Pyramids—its position and pointed significance, and the interior passages and chambers are all symbolic. • • • •

It is not necessary to go fully into details. Suffice it to say it is seriously contended that by interpreting the message of the Pyramid by a definite chronological system amazing facts are revealed. Thus the date of the Crucifixion is given as Friday, April 7, A.D.; the entry of the British into the war on August 4, 19914; the Armistice, November 11, 1918; other events closely affecting the British ieople are allegedly corretcly dated, and finally as stated above the resumption of the Tribulation is fixed for next week (May 29 and 30), and is to continue for eight years (to September 15 and 16, 1936). Just how the Great Tribulation is to be ushered in is not declared. Some say it will be by storms, earthquakes, an<l other natural phenomena; some think it will be by industrial and social upheaval, whilst others hold various views. It is, however, seriously contended hat 99.9 prophecy as interpreted by the Great Pyramid has been fulfilled, and it is reasonable to conclude that the remainder will also be. "Free Lance" will preserve an open mind on ihc subject. He will not worry over the matter, but "simply wait and see." It is, he admis, an interesting study, and if the facts are as alleged it would seem that there is more than mere coincidence in them. It is comparatively easy \,y square theory with ascertained facts—to be wise after the evtnt. It is another matter to make the declaration before the event as the British-Israel World Federation has essayed to do as on this occasion. The Federation has evidently the courage of its convictions.

The following has reached " Free Lance" from Raglan: "It is nice to realise that there are still a few thrifty Scotch people left. A few days ago I met a well-known Scotch resident of Raglan wearing a pleasa.it smile on his usually dour countenance. "Well, Mac," I said, "you look happy to-day. What's up?" "Ma sister i' Scotland has sent me a sock," he replied. "You mean a pair of socks." "Na, only one." "But why only one?" "Well, she's a verra carefu' wumman. and she telt me she had knitted a pair, but she disna want to lose them i' the post. When she pets ma letter saying I hae go!, the on<\ she will post me the ither." "You are a lucky man, Mar." "Aye, but, it wisna a profit. She telt me to put. th" snrk away wi camphor until the ither arrived, i hae just, houeht a cakf o' camphor. 11. cost, thruppence." The smile had gone.

The Minister of Lands, Hon. A. D. McL°od in a public address a few (Jay? aero lamented the fact that, those who make untrue statements an'er.t the asse-ts "f a country cannot bij held amenable in' -1 court of justice. He urged that, untrue statements can injure a State just as they can the reputation of an individual, and "Free Lance'' agrees with him. It is lament-, able, that there are politicians and legislators who, when seeking some paltry party advantage handle th-s truth so carelessly that it frequently falls and is broken. It is, no doubt, exasperating to those who are in charge of departments to have their words and works'so twisted, misconstrued, and wrongly interpreted as to be unrecognisable. What a different world this would be if politicians and public men were scrupulously honest and fair in all their criticism. How sweet our public life, would be. Unfortunately there is a disposition to think that things are permissable in politics i which would not be tolerated in ordinary business relationships, and the result is that the effluvia which omana)p? from politics is so pungent thai many able men who would adorn the nation's council hal 1 cannot bring themselves to face it.

The public is frequently regaled with items depicting the little meannesses of the sons of Caledonia. Some are no doubt as amusing as they are far-fetched, but "Free Lance" is convinced that, if reports be true, the real champion mean person resides in Nelson. He isnol a - millionaire, but he has sufficient cigarettes stored up to slock a tobacconist's shop. He confided to a pressman the method he adopted to keep up his supplies. He said: "I just take a walk to one of the more secluded of the city reserves, and sit down on a seat beside some loving couple. It is seldom very long before I am offered a packet of cigarettes to betake myself elsewhere." Such a practice is surely the depth, length and breadth of meanness.

A butcher in a Canterbury township quite innocently landed himself in a court, case. On Anzac Day of last year he delivered meat at the Police Station, and as this was contrary to the law an information was laid, and the, exercise, cost, the unfortunate butcher £3 and costs. While sympathising with the knight, of the cleaver for so putting his head in the lion's mouth, "Free Lance" has an uneasy feeling that possibly the victim might have been victimised. Meat is not usually delivered unless it is ordered, and if that joint were ordered for delivery was not the person who bespoke it equally guilty? It could easily be construed into a conspiracy.