CONSISTENCY

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 143, 6 April 1877, Page 5

CONSISTENCY

TO THE EDITOR.

gir, — I noticed from a report in last Record that the Presbytery of Clutha had had under conbideration. the subject o£ the licensing system, and that they were determinedupon adopting practical measures in reference thereto. It is a subject worthy of the Presbytery, and I for one hope their efforts will be crowned with success, and that they will be able to reduce the number of licensed houses and lessen intemperance in our midst. There is also another matter to which, I thibk, they might turn their thoughts and deliberations with some prospect of success — I •refer to the race course. You are to hold your Animal Races au the Olufcha next week, and, if I am not misinformed/not v few of the leading members, ft' not office-bearers, of the Presbyterian Church take an active part at those sports, as they are popularly called. The Presbytery has an ecclesiastical control over these members, and unless it interfere and express its disapprobation it must be held to be an acquiescing party. 1 scarcely think a Presbytery so much and so actively opposed to the drinking customs of the day cau for a moment uphold the propriety of horse racing and its accompaniments. N ext week you will have races with all their attendant betting, gambling, drinking, etc; and the following week fasting, humilitafcion and prayer, and a seat at the communion, table.' This in Calvinistie Clntha is too much of a mockery of sacred things to pass unheeded. 1 commend the subject to the consideration of the Presbytery— l am, etc., .Consistency.

Dunedin, April 2,