A PLEA FOR CHARITABLENESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1922, Page 7

A PLEA FOR CHARITABLENESS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The readiness with which a certain section of the public has hastened to denounce not Bishop Liston's alleged disloyal speech, but the denomination to which he belongs, shows that the insidious poison of sectarian bitterness, steadily instilled into the veins of our social life during the past few years, has taken effect. As regards the said speech, not having a knowledge of the subject matter, I cannot presume to pass an opinion, but I fully agree with the sentiment expressed in your subleader that all those who make a practice of causing dissension amongst the people should be restrained, irrespective of creed, nationality or any other consideration. Bishop Liston, we are told, is to be dealt with, but. Sir, it will be for ever a blot on this administration if the opportunity is not now seized upon to issue orders for the immediate suppression of the Rev. Howard Elliott, whose crusade against the Roman Catholic Church is intolerable to all broad-minded, sane citizens. In all sects will be found many persons who are no ornament either to their church or to Christianity. Therefore, it is open to anyone at the present time to traverse the country and decry and revile any special denomination he or she has a particular spite against. What disaster might not ensue if others besides Rev. Elliott were to follow his unseemly conduct? Now, it seems to me, as it must to all other nativeborn New Zealanders, that such contemptible actions are disloyal, inasmuch as they disturb the peace of our homeland. Were the organiser of the P.P.A. simply a faithful protest ant, seeking to inculcate in his brethren the highest ideals of his faith, he should be honored as such, but he openly advertises that his meetings are to show up the wickedness (real or imaginary) of the R.C. Church, hence the grave necessity that exists of suppressing this man, whose conduct is certainly antagonistic to all the teachings of Christ, before w r e are involved in a civil war of religious beliefs. An ignorant, unthinking crowd will always be found ready to be led by a strong personality, as is manifested by the extremists in Ireland to-day, both in the South and in Ulster. Remove these unwise counsellors and very soon the country will settle down to work out its own salvation. So, if we would keep our beloved land free from the canker of sectarianism, we must rid it of the disturbing elements, or otherwise render their influence ineffectual. I must say that a striking feature of the present controversy is the commendable restraint exercised by the R.C. community under great provocation. In general, the few who have written to the various papers on the question, have shown broad-minded charity. Certainly one or two have answered abuse with abuse, which is regrettable, and neither necessary, dignified, nor Christian-like. Speaking of Christian-like reminds me that we are about to enter on the most solemn celebration of our Christian faith, Good Friday, and that those who have allowed the mists of their uncharitable feelings towards others to obscure their charity might well recall to their minds the love He had for His persecutors and enemies. If we profess Christianity, then let us act as Christians should as regards their fellow men. Hoping, sir, that I am not asking too much space.—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY. Omata, April 11.