BACKBITING AND EVIL-SPEAKING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 115, 6 May 1908, Page 4

BACKBITING AND EVIL-SPEAKING.

To the Editor.

.Sir,—Uu reading Mr. Roberts' letter in the New? of yesterday 1 was pained—as one nearly always h when reading or bearing prohibitionists—with tin. 4 biiier tone and slanderous spirit exhibited, (hi/ cannot help asking. In this uncharitable tendency nil essential part of ihe propaganda of this party? Were they a mere political party without any assumption ot a higher plane oi' morals than other politicians, this constant stream of vi- v tnperation and personalities of th<j grossest character would pass without mueli notice. But this is not the case. A very considerable proportion ol preachers and ministers look on this (piestiun of enforcing total abstinence by the pains and penalties of law as being of ho much importance as to demand a considerable measure of their public activities. In fact, with many of them it is taught as a duty incumbent of professors of Christianity to be both abstainers and prohibitionists. 1 do iiot propose to show at present how foreign this belief is from tlu* truth; what I wish to point out is. the incongruity of their methods, aw professing Christianity, and the utter variance between its precepts and their conduct. So contradictory are these, indeed, as to be a very grave presumption of the fallacy of their contentions without any other proofs. We are taught to speak evil of 110 one; that charity—Christian love—tbinketh no evil; it suffers long and is kind; above all things. w<> are to put on charity; we are to be examples ot charity; and so on. So far from denouncing publicans and brewer-, even Michael the Archangel might not bring a railing accusation against Satan. \V 0 look in vain for that fervent charity which covers a multitude of *in*. But in what is only a matter of opinion, railing accusations are showered on the heads ot all who dare to diller from then- enthusiasts. Can thin be the fruits ot the .Spirit? Is not slander and libel even of people thousands of utiles away to be denounced and discouraged, ami cause the party which uses there and other Satanic weapons to be slimmed and -avoided rather than encouraged? "Hv their fruits ve shall know them." I he*e crimes are as much opposed to true, religion as is drunkenness, and in the New Testament are'as heavily denounced. We much need n greater catholicity of spirit, more broad-minded-ness. Jess bumptousness and gelf-eoneent as to our own infallibility.—l am. etc.. B. ENROTH.