THE REV. MR. STANFORD AND THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION.

Evening Star, Issue 3731, 6 February 1875, Page 3

THE REV. MR. STANFORD AND THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION.

To the Editor. Sib,- -I am content to leave the matter in dispute between the Rev. Mr Stanford and “ Observer” to be dealt with by them. I beg, however, to demur to a passage in Mr Stanford’s letter, viz.—“ I was quite unprepared for the shameful ipnorance of a common-place hand-book like Ward’s fallacies, which was exhibited by some of the champions of the Good Templars.” (The italics are mine.) I have yet to learn that it is “shameful ignorance ” to be unacquainted with Ward’s or anybody else’s fallacies ; I rather like foots. Most truly, the fallacies are Ward’s, not those of teetotalism. The facts in support of the temperance pause are (incontrovertible. Such being the case, I have been content to allow Ward’s fallacies “remain exposed for sale almost unread,” This is what one might reasonably expect from the intelligence of the age. May all such writers ever remain “unread.” The Rey. Mr Stanford’s acquaintance with this precious book, and his sympathy for its almost “ unread writer, shoyir mpst unmistakeably in which direction his sympathies lie. According to Mr Stanford’s logic, in order to be an intelligent Christian one must become acquainted with the “Koran,” “Payne’s Age of Reason,” or Renan’s “Life of Jesus.” It would seem rather novel for the rev. gentleman to direct an inquiring Lusher after salvation, not to the law and the prophets, not to the cross, but to any work that controverted the truths of Christianity. This would hardly accord with Peter’s advice, “ taking heed to the more snre word of prophesy.”— I am, &c. * ~ „. W. Hooper. ’ Dunedin, February 4.