MR. SHERIDAN AND THE REV MR. LAMB.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2347, 13 November 1908, Page 2

MR. SHERIDAN AND THE REV MR. LAMB.

[To the Editor.]

Sir, —Let me hasten to say that, apart from his writings in defence of the drink trade I have no personal knowledge whatever of Mr. John iSheridan; and until his letter appeared in your paper yesterday morning I was not aware of his religious connection, so that his reference to that matter is entirely gratuitious. But I do know that Mr. Sheridan •lias deliberately attacked the financial, social, and moral standing of the town of Ashburton in which I was resident for some years, and where to-day I have a very large circle- of personal friends., Therefore, I have no hesitation in defending the fair reputation of these, nay friends, from the malicious misrepresentations of the liquor trade. The remark -at which Mr. 'Sheridan specially takes umbrage was used with reerence to those who, while publicly admitting all the evils charged against the present licensing system, persist in bringing in the name of the Almighty in its defence. Mr. Sheridan lias quoted from Dr. Talma go. A)'ill he kindly bear with mo -if 1 quote from the same writer in a powerful sermon on “The Gates of Ho.ll.” The trade which Mr. Sheridan defends is very emphatically declared to be one of these ‘gates.’ On-the licensing system ho says, “The courts that license the sale of strong drink, •license gambling houses, license libertinism, license disease, . license death, license all suffering, all crimes, all disasters, all murders, all woe. It is the courts and tho legislature that are swinging wide open this grinding, creaky, stupendous gate of the lost.” Surely, Sir, Dr. Tulmage is a dangerous authority for the defenders of the drink business to quote from. About Air. Sheridan’s chaste references to my personal appearance well, as a- preacher, I cannot refrain from quoting just one bit of Scripture, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance!” —I am, etc., AV. LAMB.