PANDEMONIUM.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1354, 11 September 1883, Page 1

PANDEMONIUM.

A PICTURE. Not that great, wondrous and sublin o painting of Martin's where “ Satan in Coun» cil ” is seated uplifted on high, in a sumptuot 0 scene of awful grandeur, is not hellish, but > f grand, magnificent and wondrous conception —a great effort of immortal genius. No, this picture is not that sublime effort of imagination, but has a more real and tangible existence here on earth, a scene so graphically described by Mr Seddon, M.H.R. Here in our very midst, within that shaky edifice dedicated to the elect; and which is set apart for the outpourings of their learning and collective wisdom j and wherein our laws are made and discussed with so much denunciatory vehemence, which produces such a lachrymose effect; not merely by the efforts of amending foimer legislative enactments, but more particularly in taking evidence upon their workings and practicability ; and, for that purpose there were drawn together a goodly array of bishops, nriests, prophets and seers to give their evidence, opinions and experiences as to the workings of the Education Act, and of Bible reading in schools in particular. The enquiry ended in—ah, wellsmoke. But during this enquiry his Satanic Majesty appeared to reign supreme, and revelled in hubbub, noise, and hilarious delight at the draught he hud made, and the prospect of future heavy hauls ; for according to what we are lead steadfastly to believe from our youth up, and Mr Seadon, there arose in our legislative halls such a babble and confusion of tongues, like unto that which occurred at the building of the Tower of Babel. It was not an innocent child-like babble or the music of a murmuring brook, but of a battle waged by noisy and malicious tongues, which wagged with the vehement force of double-edged swords, handled by the fabled Briereus, instead of calm, dignified and conclusive facts and arguments of divines and legislators. On this occasion red hot, the Rev. Richard Coffey, of St. Mark's, assumed the role of Lucifer, the chief rebellious sinner, completely outshining his former efforts in the art of denunciation and condemnation; also, eclipsing his recent ravings, revilings and writings against the Salvationists, his controversies with those of his own cloth, his onslaughts on itinerant quacks (most laudable action), bringing down on his devoted head obloquy from all quarters thereby—and no wonder—for people cannot understand that kind of Christianity. When the teachings of the Divine Master, whose precepts he should follow, commanded his follower- to “Go out into the highways and bye ways and compel them to come in,” not drive them away, as some have been driven from St. by screening reprehensible actions both overt and covert, practised by larrikins of both sexes, who from their connection ought to know better, frequenting as they do that sacred edifice. The Rev. gentleman taking their unrighteous side against the just and oppressed weak, simply on account of their being a little better circum-stanc.-d in worldly possessions. The larrikins even desecrate the dead. From the foregoing you will gather that strife does not only dwell in your midst, but from the highest pinnacle of this Anglican church, in Parliament and out of it, the “ Empire City" is steeped in it. Therefore, let all denominations take heed whilst we exclaim Ora pro nobis, From ecclesiastics I turn to politics. Some months ago there appeared in ths Standard that still waves over Poverty Bay and rectitude, an article called “ The Innocents Abroad.” Since their (Ministers) return from those wanderings and cajoleries, they have given birth to the offsprings of their mighty intellects, the finest of which have either been strangled in their birth or have been abandoned j others slaughtered with malignant fur)’ and cruel craftiness, proving Ministers the reverse of tender and “ innocent " parents, and the remainder have undergone such mutilations with the pruning knife and such gaping incinions made, that their original contour is totally unrecognisable, except still showing a glimmering of the cluven hoof of family connection and supporters’ interests, which will eventually fullv expose the garments in which they are all arrayed. It is a thousand pities t’<at “ Honest John Bryce” is associated with them, for after he has been worked upon for their own special ends, it will be a wonder of wonders if he does not meet the same fate as To Kooti’s uncle—get thrown overboard. After such close connection with such wily law draf’ers and “close shave)s” of the law. The last scene—the “ turn out ” of the panto-mime-will not be acted this wet season ; but preparations and exertions are industriously being made for the next session to secure the seats of Ministerialists at the next general election; therefore, in the meantime it behoves the “ little hardy compact band to be prepared for the shift, and secure a good general turn out, ar:d no longer be the victims of broken promises, insidious acts and daring schemes. Be up and doing, follow-colonists, to frustrate all oppressive acts, and no longer permit these Ministerial mountains of labour, which bring forth their mien for you ; whilst they remain firm and steadfast in the present secure tenure of their broad acres, and then there will be a split from base to summit by the earthquakes of public rights and freedom of rightful opinion ; and this fair young colony will then no longer be a “pandemonium,” but a long existing and veritably united Agafbmone.