ENQUIRER CRITICISED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2013, 14 December 1888, Page 2

ENQUIRER CRITICISED.

io is* rorio*. Sib, — I think it is a groat pity that view*, like those of "Enquirer" should be published and allowed to pasa without any remonstranoe or repudiation. He states that ministers, ot the Gospel « should find out what the people believe and ' preach accordingly." He characterises texts of Soripture " loosely strung together," ;as ' " drivel." He deprecates the preaching of ■" Soripture dootrinea .ol Grace, Justification., and Banotifiaation, on the ground that halt the lialonera doubt whether there is anything beyond this life. Sir, I need quote no more ,', to show that this 80-called " Enquirftr" ig ; muohtobe pitied, and while he thinks the r noms deplume of your other correspondent! were unfortunate., his own id quite misleading. He has got past the " Enqpirer" stage, and is how, it is to be feared, Bitting m the "scorner'i chain" • I firmly believe, Sir, that all who seek to undermine our faith m the Word of God are enemies not only of religion but of morality, and cannot make . good and desirable citizens, as-witnesa those ■ communities or countries , where religion ia - neglected. , ' . . .. Your correspondent, who has got. jo tor beyond Soripture and "belief m certain miraoulouß events," has been abletoguage the " condition of the Churches," and even drops a hints as to how we might get to know (what he evidently knows already) "what the most thoughtful think of what they hear at Ohurob." , Now, what they,, hear at Ghuroh is, m the osae of every one who preaches faithfully, simply the word of God, and God has said His own word ihall not return to Him void. What people may think of it does not alter our duty or responsibility as hearers. ■I conolude by expressing an earnest hope that views like those, of your correspondent, so hostile to tho Christian faith, may not spread m this oommunity, for then farewell to that prosperity pictured out m addreisea like Mr D. H. Brown's, or your , own leading ar tides. Men may, no doubt, be restless m their unbelief, and even allow themselves to get aoured at the religion of their fathers, but they have to be oarafal how they do anything to weaken the sanotioni of morality among us, or enoourage iniquity to lift up its head. — lam, etc., Obbebyirl