“THE RAG IN THE GUTTER."

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1085, 12 April 1913, Page 3

“THE RAG IN THE GUTTER."

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The parable hath it, “that the journey of the ‘dirty rag’ has at last been made fitted and acceptable to the presence of its earthly king.” But it is obvious that the spruced, starchedup “rag” will, by this time, possess the clear-headedness to see that his handling cannot be conclusively ended just here, lor assuredly he observes the steady approach of yet another “eager Samaritan,” and of whom he must also expect the courtesy of a similar act of Christian favour. So he wonders whatever good can be offered him, even unto now. And the Catholic Samaritan happens along. He quickly sees ahead the awful frailty of starchy rags and things—so quickly do they soil, and become so ugly, for ever having to resort to the momentary stimulant starch, and narcotic flat-iron warmth, so weak of itself to keep so sweet for long, ever and ever relying upon the labours ol others, with their washy, washy, washy, aud starchy, starchy, starchy. But 10, when starchy stimulant can do no more good, poor, naughty, dirty rag —corroded and displeasingly ugly—is at once cast out of sight, and hurled into the flames ot the “Burning Fire.” Lo, a useless inhabitant, perishing in the wash-house “inferno”! So therefore, indeed, hastens the eager Samaritan to save this unclean thing from falling a prey to the “last washing days Inferno.” Verily does be quickly take unto his keen this inconstant and proud “rag” from out the presence of its earthly king. Armed with the tradition of long experience, he applies “Mother Church's” remedial doctrine of “Rigid Conscience Examination,” aud sifts it about until he discovers the very root of “rag’s” frailty, nourishing him, too, with her wholesome and kindly advice in her medicinal Confessional. “Rag” here gets “Doctoris” advice, aud learns how to administer to himself to effect a healthy change of texture. He soon loves her Chastising Doctrines of humility, fasting, mortification and obedience ; they starve away the gnawing germ of his frailty and sickly, starchy pride. Dear “Rag’s” faculties are here obvious of some wonderful and agreeable change, requiring not the momentary stimulant of laundry things, but, with her thankful, Eucharistic Doctrine of Purity throbbing in a sensible, cleaued-out heart, he fashions himself acceptable to the presence of a King much nobler than her earthly king, namely the Omnipotent King God. Therefore, now has ended the interesting journey of the “rag” in the parable—from the “devil Gutter” to “king Society,” from the “king Society” to the “King God. In kindly humour,—l am, etc., J. G.