Free Christianity and Love.

Hastings Standard, Issue 207, 29 December 1896, Page 4

Free Christianity and Love.

The Free Christian Church in Melbourne appears to be a very curious example of the uncouth doctrines and practices that masquerade as Christianity in the enlightened age. At a recent meeting in connection with that body, a long discussion took place on the moral character of the head of the body, a certain Pastor Abbott, who is said to have been in Christclmrch before he went to Victoria. Mr Abbott has on former occasions been accused of a fondness for the single women of the flock and a carelessness towards his own wife. At the meeting lately held, a I'.rother Hilton accused the pastor of conduct unbecoming a Christian man. It was on a railway train that be saw Mr Abbott take an unwarrantable liberty. There was a sister in the carriage and she had a little hand-bag. Pastor Abbott took the bag, opened it, and there was some preserved ginger in it. lie held it up and said "(linger for pluc-k." That was not the act-of aC'hristian man In the opinion of Brother Bilton whose own social and moral status may be inferred from the fact that the pastor made a counter accusation against him that he had deserted his lawful wife and family, and was " all the time running after another woman, a single girl, kissing her and hugging her pretty well in every corner." P> rot her Hilton did not deny the soft im] e ichment ; he merely said to the mi e:.ing. in true Christian spirit : " In regard to what he says about me, it is quite true if it were only put in the right way." Another Christian brother had a more serious indictment against the pastor. His charges were supported by letters addressed to the pastor. Ono of these from a married woman, contained the following passage " What I have sacrificed for you--not foi: gain, not for lust, but for love, pure love —no other could have bought not for all the wealth in the land. I give you my heart, and nothing less would do for me in return. May Clod (if there is one) forgive you. Please to remove my name from the church roll." Pastor Abbott replied to his accusers with spirit. He said the letters were fabricated, and his statement has support in the fact that one of bis lady correspondents has written to the newspapers denying the charges so far as they relate to her. Meantime, people of sober sense may well exclaim, parodying Madame Roland's saying, "Religion! What excesses are committed in thy name !"—Lyttelton Times.