Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 373, 6 June 1928, Page 10

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

MR. BARTON’S LIMERICK Sir, — If anybody is allowed to send in a last line to Mr. Barton’s lines, I’ll make a venture: — There was an old lady of Riga, Who tamed what she thought was a tiger; ■ She made it a friend And from then till the end “What she thought ” teas always beside her. OPTIMIST. WHAT ABOUT IRELAND? Sir, A Sun correspondent has referred to an alleged ignorance regarding the composition of the Union Jack. Of this flag, history declares that: the “union” with Ireland in 1801, the banner of St. Patrick was added. Now, however, Ireland —or, rather, the Irish Free State —a self-governing Dominion with a flag of its own, is also represented in the Union Jack. Is this not somewhat of an anomaly? Or does the banner of St. Patrick in the Union Jack now represent Ulster? If so, why, of all things, the banner of St. Patrick? What is the position from an heraldic viewpoint? P.M. IMMORTAL SOULS Sir, — In answering the letter signed “Student,” I must say he has arranged the verses of Scripture I quoted very ingeniously, but, to the best of my knowledge, equally incorrectly. I think he will find, if he reads them over again, that the verses are quite definite in saying that “The King of Kings and Lord of Lords” is He Who only hath immortality. Even assuming his interpretation to be correct, it is rather an argument against an immortal soul than for it. Why should anyone have hope of immortality in his soul, to quote “Student’s” own words, if he already has an immortal one? ETUDIE. IMMORTALITY Sir, Before this correspondence closes, with your kind permission I would like to have my say. The words “immortal soul,” “never-dying soul,” or “ever-living soul,” are not in the Hebrew, Greek, of English Scriptures. The doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul, ever since it crept into the churches, has been their best asset. I happen to know of three religious bodies which do not teach this doctrine, and not one of them takes up a collection, employs salaried preachers, or asks the public for one pepny for the

erection and maintenance of costly | churches. I know also for a fact, and can prove, that many orthodox clergy warn their flocks not to read the literature published by these people. The reason, of course, is obvious. In reference to Nurse Clayton’s quotation from Matthew 27:52, “And the graves wero opened,” these words are not found in any of the oldest manuscripts. In fact, there are serious reasons for doubting the genuineness of this verse and the one following. If it was the earthquake at the time of our Lord’s death that opened the graves of the saints, why did they wait at least three days in their open graves, until after His resurrection, before coming out? Nurse Clayton further says: “I maintain you may kill the body, but not the soul.” What about Ezekiel 18:20, which says “The soul that sinneth it shall die”? When we are able to read the Bible without the aid of creedal spectacles we will soon discover that man has not a soul, but that he is a soul. “And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living jsoul”— Genesis 2:7. J.H.F. FgOM NEW PLYMOUTH Sir, I have watched with interest the controversy in your correspondence columns -on the subject of eternal life, and I am inclined to agree with “Alinari” that to offer £ 500 for something which is non-existent is rather unfair. If the 1.8.5. A. will assure us that a statement to the effect that v, r e are immortal is to be found in the Bible, then we can believe that the “inducement to the study of the Bible” is genuine, and I shall be pleased to go carefully through the Scripture in the hope of becoming moderately affluent thereby. As a consistent student of the Bible, I am always pleased to hear of a work which may assist my studies, and I should be grateful if “Alinari” would give me further particulars of the “ Book of Life ; which he mentions, for apparently it is not procurable in New Plymouth, or in the library. As for “faith being opposed to reason,” I leave that to better intellects to argue, but it certainly opens up ground for thought; and as the subject of the soul is one which vitally affects us all, I trust that you will not be so unkind as to notify correspondents that “this subject is now closed” until we hear a little more about it. STUDENT. New Plymouth NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS Amateur Theatrical*.—The left of the stage is to the left of the actor. The meaning- of “Doors R, 3 E. and L,., 1 E.,” is “Third entrance from the right and first entrance from the loft."—Ed. The Sun.