CANTERBURY IN SEPTEMBER, 1853.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 144, 8 October 1853, Page 11

CANTERBURY IN SEPTEMBER, 1853.

As when astream, long chafing to be free From narrowing banks that do its course refrain, From rocky islet's intercepting chain, And tangled overgrowth, and drifting tree, —■ Forth bursts at length from dull obscurity, And sweeps majestic through a boundless plain ; So have I seen an infant State remain Long trammel'd by obstructive policy, Misgovernment, official prejudice; Numb'd by suspense, aiul chill'd by mystery. At length free scope ;is" gix'ii". I see it rise Strong, active, self-reliant.,. JVTay we see, Who watch thy course with loving, anxious eyes, Thy promise ripen to maturity ! J. Christchurch, Sept. 27, 1853. ' . "

A Lecture for Thieves.-—Prior to commencing his sermon at Surrey Chapel, the Bey. Mr. Sherman, a short time since, made a somewhat curious announcement. He was aware, he said, that amongst the crowded congrega> tion assembled on that occasion, there were several professional thieves !—individuals who entered those sacred precincts, not for the purpose of worshiping God, or of gaining religious instruction, but positively for the direct commission of crime. Remonstrance'would probably be thrown away upon such characters, he continued ; but let them be assured that their infamous doings would inevitably entail a just punishment eventually upon them ; and in order to deter them in this particular instance, he would further state that his hearers comprised also several of the detective police force-1 This statement, it is presumed, had the desired effect, for on that evening no losses Were sustained by Mr. Sherman's flock, although on previous Sabbaths they have been, it is said, neither few nor light.— Atlas (London Paper.)