THE SYNOD AND GOOD TEMPLARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4961, 15 February 1877, Page 2

THE SYNOD AND GOOD TEMPLARY.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sin,- —One would imagine,, when reading the somewhat limited and shallow views set forth by some of the members of the General Synod who took part in the discussion re the temperance question, that they had but little sympathy with the work of the Good Templars. They made themselves appear to be quite conversant with all the ritual of Good Templary. If what they expressed is all they knew of the ritual, then ought they to have kept silent on this point, and considered the question of Church temperance, which was the object under discussion. It will be found that Good Templary is equally as good as any temperance movement, either total or moderate. ;A lay member expressed himself in most -unpardonable and unjustifiable terms concerning the Templars. He said: "They carefully excluded the name of our Saviour from their ritual, with a view to conciliate infidels." ,As this worthy gentleman knows this much, surely he.is, aware of the fact that, amongst other things, 1 before any person who seeks initiation is allowed to take his seat, he is interrogated in tlie following words, or words to the same effect:—"Do you believe in the existence of an Almighty God?" Now, as two straight lines cannot enclose a space, neither can Mr. Hunter Brown's incorrect statement agree with the facts of the case, and he seems "to know that which he doth not."

Others say it aims at making religion of itself. To a certain extent it is so, but quite agreeable ,with the religion of the Bible, its foundation, and Christianity. vLdci 4°* for a moment hold with those inamoderate-'fanatical and bigoted temperance reformers sometimes met with, but I think it cannot be denied that Good Templary is an unselfish "and philanthropic motive, and ought to be looked upon more liberally, especially by- such a body as the General Synod. " Let brotherly love continue." Let those-Who are so adverse to the ritual become acquainted with it; indeed then will they find it very different to their somewhat pedantically-expressed notiona—l am, &C Episcopalian. February 13. - :