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Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1202, 29 November 1873, Page 3

TO THE MINISTERS OF THE VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS IN AUCKLAND AND IN THE MATTER OF THE EARLY-CLOSING ASSOCIATION. Per favour of the Editor of the Evening S'XAR.

Rev. and Dear Sirs, —I have been induced to address the following remarks to you on the above subject, believing, as I do, that the simple objects of the association have only to bo brought more immediately under your notice to enlist on its behalf your warmest sympathy and cordial support, and also with the firm conviction that it is a great social question affecting the best interests of a large portion of his community. I am -well aware that the ministers of different denominations came cheerfully forward to address . a public meeting on the subject some time since, and I am sure would do so again if asked ; but at the same time I. cannot help thinking that the promoters of this movement had a right to expect that you would have come to the front unsolicited, and have given your best efforts in a work of true philanthropy. In our native land and in the neighbouring colonies ministers of religion have done so ; from the bishop to the humblest clergyman they have considered it their privilege to be foremost in a cause bearing directly on the interests of their own congregations as well as the general public. If the long hours continue the assistants leave their hom«3 about seven a.m. to be at business by eight. The establishments profess to close at eight p.m., which would land them at home about nine : these are the hours from Monday to Friday. On Saturday the hour of closing is 11 p.m., which makes it often past midnight before the assistants reaoh home. The result of this is that many of them are absolutely physically unable to attend a placo of worship on the Sabbath. . These are facts which I challenge any one to disprove. Allow me to ask two simple questions : —1. What is this man's or this woman's life worth to them ? 2. Is it, or is it not, the work of the true philanthropist to use his best endeavours to secure a better state of things ? Knowing all these facts if you do not use the great influence you possess to consummate the reformation the Association seeks to effect I trust that every passing zephyr that fans the faded cheek of premature decay in its onward course through immeasurable space may ascend before the throne of God and there bear witness against you. You cannot be surprised if the seats of those so engaged are vacant in the congregation, and how can you blame them if they steal forth to embrace the only opportunity they have of enjoying the balmy breeze of heaven, and stretched on the green sward should say— This turf shall be my fragrant shrine, My temple, Lord, that arch of Thine, My censer's breath the mountain airs, And silent thoughts my only prayers, X say under such circumstances you dare not blame thorn if they prefer to worship their Clod in tke beauties of that glorious; nature.

winch He in his kind creative wisdom has made our common inheritance. " There are degrees in everything and shades in a coal." And so there are in slavery, and on this point allow me to remark that if Wilberforce and Ins noble coadjutors had shrunk from their self-imposed and arduous task, theclank of the chain of theunemancipated negroniight at the present time form part of a chorus of unmutigated wrongs calling to heaven for vengeance. You cannot be in ignorance of the gi-pafc social reformation effected by early dosing in other cities, and of the part taken by your brethren in this matter. They have convened public meetings, which have been attended by thousands, have written pamphlets and tracts, and delivered lectures, which have been printed and circulated by the association ; have called their congregations together, and specially addressed them on the subject, and in a hundred other ways have influenced the public against the vicious practice of late shopping. Pardon me if I have written strongly on this subject ; I feel strongly upon it, and sincerely hope that the association knowing they have a good cause, and that they are treading on ground that has been well and safety trod beforo them, will persevere in spite of every obstacle, ever bearing in mind in all their negotiations with their fellow men that " kind words are more than coronets, and simple faith than Norman blood,"—I am, &c., Ax Emki.oykk.