Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1905. UP TO-DATE REFORMERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3543, 6 July 1905, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1905. UP TO-DATE REFORMERS.

WuiTixo under this heading a contri bntor to the “ Hawke’s Bay Herald ” observes that now-a-days the old world noti*n that the moral fibre of a people can only be strengthened by raising the tone and character of the individuals comprising that people is regarded as obsolete. Moral suasion as a reforming force in now treated as if of no effect by tffe very men who would, like Paul, that all men were as they are. To enforce a virtue such as temperance the elements of the law are now invoked, and the inducing of men and women to practice a virtue for the virtue’s sake is being abandoned. The maxim of to-day is by the power of the majority shall ye be saved from viciousness ; by Act of Parlia. inenl shall the people he compelled to be as Rechabites. It is useless to argue now that this policy is contrary to the teachings of religions and philosophy. It is sufficient that: the majority has the power to prevent a minority from the freedom of choice in eating and drinking. Few people realise what the upshot of this perversion ofa sound principle means; and scarcely anyone has the courage—because of it being unpopular—to declare that those clergy who are encouraging, applauding, and taking active part in the movement by which the virtue of temperance is to be forced .upon (he adoption of a people by a majority closing the avenues to the purchase and use of alcoholic beverages, are cutting the ground from under their own feet as [ moral teachers in the community. If j one virtue can be enforced by Act c f Parliament, why not all ? If by the power of majorities, and the adoption of “ the beggarly elements nf the law,” a nation can be morally improved, its tone and character raised, what is the use of all their persuasive eloquence and exhortation to righteousness ? It is matter for regret that some clergy in their eagerness to make the people good in one particular should throw overboard the old chart by which their predecessors for nineteen hundred years have sailed. The true amelioration of a people, socially or religiously, can only be attained by the moral perfection of the individuals comprising • hat people, ami the methods of up-!o date so-called social reformers are altogether contrary to the principles of religion. For a time th'ev may ha- e a semb’aucc of success, but were the objects they have in view a'taiimd, experience and history prove the nation as a whole would be morally weaker by having been competed to the practice of a-virtue by the power (,f a majority. They imposed their rule upon all, and the succeeding state of England was worse than before they gained the ascendancy. We are evidently proceeding to a similar experience m New Zealand.