MARRIAGE AMENDMENT BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1920, Page 2

MARRIAGE AMENDMENT BILL.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—To discuss matters of religion is acting rather against my principles, but I should like to say a few words on the above* subject. One or two of your correspondents, in their hatred of Catholicism, evidently forget thnt at least they profess to be Christians. Ttese persons have the gross impertinence to take Mr. Smith and Mr. Masters to task for voting as tliey desired on the Bill. From all Indications, the views expressed so aptly by the two members namec! are the opinions held by the majority of the people of this Dominion, Catholic or T'rotestant. In saying that he had given !::tle thought to the question, Mr. Masters ;:mply echoes tte feeling of this majority, 'or the legality of the civil marriage laws lias never been questioned by the Roman Catholics. Tiie rules of their Church apply strictly only to the adherents of the Church, and do not affect us non-Catholics. True Christians turn a deaf ear to tire stupid slander being scattered broadcast by the wicked and their ignorant followers, feeling as they do that the evil one (realising that rrotesflants and Cathodes have, generally speaking, become more bound together of late years In brotherly love, and have begun to show a flno tolerance for one another's creeds) lias at last found a fitting Instrument to his hand. Tj?ts instrument In much to be pitied, for he irf being allowed* by God to be used by the enemy of mankind to further His own ends. One of these ends, we believe, is to stir all Hainan Catholics and Anglicans to a deeper fervour for their religion, which is being attacked. Once the State begins to interfere in thattcrs that are purely religions rules, there Is an end to religious liberty. Already we are told of, and indeed, see in our midst, many, hitherto careless and thoughtless, now striving to live more In accordance, with their religious teachings. I also am horn of Protestant and Catholic parents, but, unlike "Brittantcus Sum" and Co., I have been taught the deepest reverence for all creeds, although my parents never changed their original faith. Messrs. Smith and Masters are to be congratulated on the manliness of the stand they took ,and In spite of the stupidly intolerant and bigoted titterings of the few, f venture- to predict that their action 1 ' will have the hearty approval or all broad-minded men and women in their districts. In conclusion, I would say to all true followers of Christ, have patience and fnSth in Cod's "odues and power to overcome the evil one and his emisslarles, and let us ail have charity towards one another. Thus we will avoid sectarian strife, than which there ift no greater hindrance lo the progress of a country."—l am, etc. "PEACEFUL," New Plymouth 22nd November.