A REPLY.

Manawatu Herald, 24 July 1900, Page 3

A REPLY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HANAWATU HEBALD. Sib, — I was much impressed with a letter appearing in your last issue from a correspondent (who has evidently mistaken his vocation, and should be adorning (?) a pulpit), subscribing himself " Yourg sorrowfully " , and was sorry to see such lamentably bigoted, and narrow - minded Views expressed. In the first place the reproof was couched in such extravagant terms, as "gross evil," "social vice," "earthly curse," "dreadful practices," etc., etc., which in reference to such harmless and innocent recreations, entirely unmerited and uncalledfor. The reference to " Churches whioh -profm to teach the religion of Jesus Christ," too, was most unjust, and displayed, in my opinion, gross ignorance. Then again, your correspondent would lead one to infer that diceplaying was one of the pastimes indulged in at the meetings of the Mu.l tua! Improvement Society. Does he consider himself qualified to judge whether "The Churches are doing their duty?" Altogether, the farfetched ideas and general tone of his letter, to my mind, is but a very weak and illogical argument on the subject. Trusting that the matter will be commented upon by an abler pen than mine, and apoligising for trespassing thus far upon your valuable gpaco. Yours pityingly, Anti-Cant. r Poxton, 24th July, 1900.