Father Forrest on Good Templary.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1575, 12 May 1874, Page 214

Father Forrest on Good Templary.

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times. Sir,—As I look upon the Hawke's Bay Times as the champion of Temperance principles in this province, I send you some facts which I think you and the public ought to know. On last Sunday the Eev. Father Forrest warned his flock of the consequences which would ensue from their joining the Good Templars and kindred societies;—namely, that he would withhold the sacraments from them. It is needless for me to say that is the greatest threat that can be held out to a Catholic mind. The reasons that he gave for coming to this determination were so absurd and puerile that they scarcely need pombating;—that prayers were said at the meetings, and that women were admitted as members. Now, though neither a Eechabite nor a Good Templar, J cannot but recognize the goodness and holiness of the end for which they are laboring. The first objection of the rev. gentleman's requires proving before I could believe it; and as for the second, I am afraid I cannot comprehend it. Who suffers most from the evils entailed by drunkenness but Woman?—Woman, as the wife, mother, or sister ? and a Christian minister should bo the last that ought to give utterance to such a narrow-minded objection. It was Christianity, by its softening and ennobling influences, that raised Woman from the position of a soulless slave to that of an equal and helpmate of man. It is not the first time that the Kev. Father has inveighed against Temperance societies, and it is a& well he should know that his flock do not endorse his ppinipna. J}eraernberir)g that Father" Ajapfrc'w iyag flip qh'arapipn of Temperance and tlje means by whom thousands weie saved from ruin and degradation, the contrast that arises in their minds between him and their present pastor ig rather and they toijl pardoned if they do not sufficiently appreciate the rev. gentleman's ultramoutism.—l am, &c, A Liberal.