FATHER HENNEBERRY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 594, 28 March 1878, Page 2

FATHER HENNEBERRY.

TO THE KDITOIt OF THE EVENING MAIL. Sir—ln your issue of 27th inst. I have notic-d a letter, signed "Aleck H.," wherein he advises the public of Oaniaiil to tske measures to decline iho visits of Father Heunpbprry Now, Sir, in my opinion, the remarks of' "Aleck H." are entirely uncalled for. For two reasons—one is I am not aware that the Rev. Father has given any notice of his coming; and the other is, I am not aware of anything he has done that the public of Oamaru should be called upon to decline his visits. Mr. Editor, if you will kindly oblige by re-inserting "Aleck H.'s" letter, you will give a better chance to your readers to see both sides of the question : " Taking into consideration the conduct and " teaching of Father Henneberry, who "represents himself as an exan pie of " Christian love and forbearance, it is time " the public of Oamaru took measures to decline, in as charitable a frame of mind " as possible, the visits of the above Bey. " Father. They seejp. to, be productive, of " no good to his Cjvn Church, and are only " handle fo.r others to take hold of, who. " have more Christian charity and commpp " sense thsa Father H.—l am, &<?., Aleck,

" H." Can anyone read the above who has a spark of respect for the rev. gentleman without seeing on the very face of it the sneer which the writer makes use of. It appears that some time ago the Rev. Father alluded to, in addressing his flock, and in the discharge of his sacred duties, made some remarks with regard to mixed marriages. I say it appears, for there is no certainty that I am aware of, that the rev. gentleman mentioned the matter at all, we have only the authority of a section of the Press. Well, one paper says he did, and another denies it. We had it denied a few evenings ago in the Evkxing Mail by telegram by the Rev. Father Heuneberry, and a night or two after, if I recollect rightly, another rev. gentleman named Russell came to the front offering his services, and saying he would take his oath that Father Heuneberry said so-and-so. Now, with all due respect to the Rev. Mr. Russell I would as soon believe the Press that denies as the one that asserts, so that the matter at present is only hearsay ; something like the story of the "Three black crows," and, consequently [ think "Aleck H." had no right to arrive at a conclusion with such a shaky foundation, and expect the public of Oamaru to chime iu with him. At first sight one would think that " Aleek H." is in favor of throwing oil on the troubled waters, but on a little reflection you will find that he means to stir up the embers of discord. His letter is written, as it were, with lips of honey, but viewed closely it is like the apples in the Lake of Sodom—fair to the eye, but poisonous to the taste. One word of advise, Mr. "Aleck H.—Whenever yon may in future honor the public of Oamaru (and especially the Roman Catholics, for whom your dose was intended), may 1 beg of you to come in your true oolors, and not come wrapped with the cloak of hypocrisy around \our "Christian love and forbearance,'' although you may be a judge of Christian morality and evangelical perfection." Also allow me to inform you that when your forgolten ashes will be turned into inorganic clay, and the grave worm will be sleeping in your callous heart, and bringing forth her young in your disastrous brain, the visits of such men as Father Heuneberry will be producing good. Therefore it is vain, it is insane for you to try to blight the character of that worthy and consecrated soldier of •Jesus Christ.—-I am, &.C., Tiiiggix Ttttf. Oamaru, March 2*?, 187 S.