POLITICAL PULPITS.

Auckland Times, Volume 3, Issue 131, 12 July 1845, Page 2

POLITICAL PULPITS.

We hare always held the pulpit a tiling too sa: red for newspaper observation, and have studiously avoided, in our. pages, any religious controversy whatever, aud we hope still to maintain, for the example of other newspaper writers, what we are most assured is a proper course; but the extravagant political- •tirades- CrJcL material, out of which the fustian semblance o r religious instruction, counsel, and consolation, is made up at- a certain conventicle in this town, is so much the matter of general observation ringing in every ear, and commented upon by every tongue that we are compelled to breaK down the barrier of our .observance. We have laid it down as a rule, that it is mischievous and unwise for newspaper wri ers to interfere with pulpit polemics—but when we find a priest or a missionary so grossly violating his own neutral ground, as to make the political su jects of the day, the stap'e ot his yarn —it must be becoming that we shoud withold our forbearance. The outrageous nonsense lately preached by the Rev. Mr. Laurie, about the neg ect of religious observance by tlnh Christian

population ; and the eager devotion towards it of the Maories, and the special provideoce and favour of THE ALMIGHTY, upon she la'ter in consequence, savours very strongly of that presumption, which Pope describes as an usurpation of the at~ Libutes of our MAKER, and a “ dealing of damnation round the land/’ The fanaticism that would recommend, in these days the revival of the hypocritical or insane observances of the camps of Cromwell deserves to be scouted off the face of the earth, with all who utter it. The lying tongue that would exalt the hypocritical demonstrations of a set of savages, who practice forms for their own purposes, and set up psalm-singing and outward form of prayer, for interested intentions, while they are ready to return to cannibalism, murder, theft and robbery, at a moment’s notice is surely no example

for us» Are these indeed the pupils of the Missionary school, —the people . ir p to be exalted by false nraise at the eVpensdof 01; . Wave ccuutryuien, soldiers and sailuib, who risk their lives, with almost inconceivable, bravery, whenever tht-ir duty to their country and their countrymen calls them into the toils of danger and of death.—We have no patience with this ingratitude. The missionary and protectorate follies have done enough, God knows !—witness passing events —to injure and impair, to delay and prevent the interests of both races, without increasing the amount and the disgrace of their achievements, without indulging in scanda oils language, insulting to the memory of the dead, and discouraging to 'he loyalty of the survivors. Language for which the rubicund Barebones (is that be not a contradiction in terms) deserves to be compelled to march at the head of the next attack, and encounter in his own hurley person, the effects, which be, and such as he, have provoked. Reader ! have you ever seen the mode, the manner, and the corporeal presence or the utterance we speak o P It is probable not!— Fancy then a florid, pie ho ic, punchy man, redo eni. of the good things of this ife, with a white neckcloth that threatens to choak him every ni men: ; then fancy, if you can, a perpetual strike o‘ complacency upon his lips, and at the end of every sentence, a clo ktvork jerk of eon•t'A r>i>rmet and perpetual self satisfaction—more than that—self-ap-plause.—lf you can fancy these traits, you wid have the man himself before you. We cannot think, for our parts, what change has come o’er tile spirit of the dream of the Reverend Preacher; for it was but yesterday, that he thought Maorie chastisement should be followed U P~

He deliberately expressed his opinion, that the quarrels of any two native tribes should be fomented, for onr safety—upou the principle —“ that two mischievous dogs were better set upon each other, than allowed to fall upon a man’s leg.” Now we have the conventicle wind all from the other quarter! Now! the habitual practice oi piety and observance of religion practised by the Maories, as compared with our neglect of it, is the cause forsooth of their successes, and our disasters. We are not desirous to extend these observations, or to have occasion to renew them ; and therefore, before we part with the subject, and disclaiming every intentiou of provocation—wo beg leave to inform the Rev. Gentleman, that his place of presumed devotion, is becoming rather a place of public amusement, than of quilt and profound penitence and adoVdjzy"'. and pi ay m—and, that the subject of his Sabbath discourse, is the topic, during the week od idle criticism, foolish badinage, and still more teollsh resentment, instead of being, as it. should be, a source of quiet religious, mental, and moral improvement. The pulpit should command our highest reverence, but it forfeits its character and usefulness, and it sinks into contempt when it is made the vehicle of political purpose, or the platform of personal display. li becomes then but a booth in Vanity Fail !

We visited the several temporary hospitals on Thursday, in which our gallant countrymen, who were wounded lately at the Bay, are deposited ; and we are happy to report, that there are few cases, in which a fatal, or a very severe consequence may he expected. We beg leave,- respectfully

to suggest to His Excellency the Governs-, whose habitual practice of benevolence needs no prompting, (so soon as he is apprised of necessity), that the place appropriated, in the jail, late the debtors’ side, is without any sort of fire-pla'e —and the poor patients were literally shivering under their blankets, when we saw them. A stove ought surely to be supp ied-~but—-verb, sat,, we are sure it is only necessary to give the hint, and the demand will be complied with. The position of this place, in the bottom of a gu ! ly, with a constant whirlwind of squall and rain, makes it very cruel to keep the invalids at this time of the year, without fire. The patients in the house recently occupied by Captain Bennett, are very comfortably off in this respect, as they ought to be. Mr. Coombes, the builder, on his return to his home, on Tuesday evening lasi, was attacked by two men, near the burial ground. After much resistance, and very severe personal il -Refitment, they tacceded In obtaining the pocket-book of Mr. G., from the left breast of his coat, where he always carries it—-its contents being forty odd pounds, which he had that afternoon received. It is quite evident, that the pocket-book was the objec of especial attack, for having obtained that, the thieves ran away without any attempt to rifle the other pockets of their victim. The police are on the true scent, and there is little doubt the culprits will be quickly brought to justice. We were over-informed last week as to (he condition of the Maorie church. After the tempest of the 4th Inst, the eastern wall of that building, which has been defective for a considerable time, was found to be much damaged ; but the ’mischief was only partial, and we apologise for the exaggeration of our report.