“MEMORABILIA."

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1366, 9 October 1883, Page 2

“MEMORABILIA."

Although having an Intense and InfaoHi veneration for the grand old Church of England, one cannot help being iniprested with the idea that there is too much of the costly law, and lawn sleeves element enveloping and surrounding it, and in its governance at the present day. This idea becomes proof positive; when reading and observing the sayings, doings, and workings manifested by those taking part in the Diocesan Synods and other Church gatherings, in the midat of which the old, old acl is still persistently perfotltiOff, that of “putting on the screw/’ the unrighteous garb of inequality this falling and monetary act is most calmly, deliberately and verbosely considered ; motions being carried without the semblance of opposition, “ That yes* tries I be recommended to divide theif parishes or districts into separate uortloffJ for the purpose of oolhcting subscriptions Id the Church Fundi the Vestrymen taking the responsibility and work I” Inclusive, of course, of the getting up of raffiea, bazaars, been, <ko., in addition to the ordinary subscriptions, for the maintenance of these grave aud solemn-looking clerical seigneurs | who give in return uuy amount of “talked talkee j” sometimes even waxing jocosdj with scintillations of dry wit, but the more frequently trespassing on the borders of wrath, in their eager grasping after, and disposal of “ filthy lucre.” Now all this Is particularly repugnant to the practices of true Christianity, and totally el variance with its teachings, especially whbh w*» see and hear of the mulvetsation, and misapplication of endou‘ftients, the gifts of Maoris, and other trust deeds and funds. He who overturned the tables of the money changers, aud commended not the laying up of stores upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (oh ! if these were the only corruption) and where thieves break through and steal. He, with hie disciples, went ' about doing good when on earth, not merely preaching its docffrlues; did not sit in ease, and clothed in luxury, exacting from the poor, discussing and fulminating edicts for wringing the withers, and emptying the pockets of the famished and struggling multitudes who thirst for life and rightbodd dealings at the hands of those “ spiritual pastorsjand masters/’ as well as for salvation from evil dJers. Notwithstanding all the persecution of what is being written, said, and done, against the Salvation Army, it cannot be gainsaid, but that tbeir sincere officers and members do act more in acdor : dance with the precepts and examples of the Redeemer, and in a like manner, Undergo some of these privations Bbd bhllettlngs, whilst going about getting at the souls of those who most need help and redemption ; uplifting the fallen, and arresting those who arc on the downward course of infamy and sin. They show and prove this by the risking of their own lives and liberty, and by the bodily assaults, jibos and jeers of the public and press, which they have encounter on their onward marehj at the same time sorrowing and praying for their assailants ; aud when evil works are carried too far, they have the courage to lay on the scourge, as their great master and commander-in-chief did before them, only With different and not such potent weapUnSj meanwhile sounding his praises in suitable song. And it is only by these means, that a certain class of hardened and frail humanity can be got at ; they cannot be reached by being preached at in sanctuaries and from the pulpit, No ’ to snatch them out of the fire I and mire “lawn sleeves 0 and “ white surplice ” must descend from their eminence, and go into the very midst of the - great unwashed. Their vestures will not become defiled thereby—rendering them not only spiritual guides, but really good and tangible assistance in the way of]benevolbnoe, “pouring in wine and oil/'and until tnat desired end is accomplished, tho generosity of mankind will lift up their voice, and exclaim forChHatlanity’s sake.