TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4430, 1 June 1875, Page 2

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

" Ajax" sends us a long letter on the Moody and Sankey campaign in the British Isles, which we cannot publish. There is a middle line in criticism, which our correspondent has not hit. There may be, and there doubtless is, a great deal of the “ show business” in the engagements of these evangelists, but thatii no reason why leading doctrines of Christianity, which are cherished by millions as saving and sacred truths, should be ridiculed. There is a wide difference between faith of this kind founded upon conviction, and superstitious veneratioh for old wives’ fables; and, at all events, the world, as we know it, could not get on very well without Christianity. The nearer men approach to the great exemplar, the closer will they be to that ideal life which the Christian hope points to as being fully realised beyond the grave. If the preaching of Mr. Moody, and the singing of Mr. Sankey, (theatrical though the whole may be, and not altogether wanting in the sordid element of gain,) have the effect of making their hearers better men and women—less selfish and more self-sacrificing—their efforts will not have been vain. At the same time, we agree with our correspondent in refusing to accept the emotional manifestations at the services conducted by these men as any proof of u conversion” on the part of those affected. These effects are physical: the well-known symptoms of hysteria, which, for the time being, exercise an overpowering influence on the mind. It is hardly likely Messrs. Moody and Sankey will visit New Zealand, but if they should they will have fallow ground to till. '