“Thus far shalt thou go.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1912, 23 October 1906, Page 2

“Thus far shalt thou go.”

(To the Editor .Gisborne Times.;) Sic, —I should b» extremely sorry if the good work whioh I - am convinced Mr Bligh is doing were in any way hindered by the introduction of personalities whioh are apart from the main issue. The addresses he gave here in Gisborne have been given in maoy other parts of the colony, and have been earnestly oommended by many of our leading people, including such men as the Governor, the Bishop of Wellington, Rev. Dr. Gibb, and many members of the medical profession. Of course, people will always differ as to how muon or how little ought to be said in public upon a aubjeot of acknowledged I difficulty aud delioaoy. Many no doubt question the wisdom of Miss Ellioe Hopkins undertaking such a oruaade in England, but multitudes who heard her and have read her booklots have had reason to thank God that she had the courage and oaroestness to take up such a orusade. I quite agree with you, Mr Editor, that the parents are the best persons to deal with this subjeot with their children ; but you will, I think, also agree with me that a large majority of parents will not deal with the subject whatever they may think of its importance, and the question re mains, ore their ohildren to grow up without the safeguards that a wise treatment of the subject can givo them, and which many parents would weloome? A parent who belioves in speaking plainly to her ohildren on the subject told me yesterday that she was grateful for such assistance as that given by Mr Bligh, and that many parents who felt the difficulty of speaking welcomed the help of such lectures. I can only add, that having had a little experience in my former parish of similar work among youug men, plain speaking

on such an important subject as social purity is a distinct help to many a young man, and does something to create a

healthier moral tone. Whereas, when silence is the only method adopted in regard to such questions, the tone becomes lower. At the same time I believe that it

is a subject which should only be dealt with publicly very occasionally. A too frequent reference to it only tends to defeat the object in view.

Mr Long’s suggestion that those who are in sympathy with Mr Bligh's work should give it a little practical help is a good one and will I hope be responded to in some way. I am, etc., R W. CHATTERTON.