GOOD FRIDAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2186, 9 April 1891, Page 2

GOOD FRIDAY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —It was with very strong feelings of surprise and indignation that your many readers beheld in your issue of the 4ih a letter signed ‘ A Member of the Church of Christ.,’ drawing the attention of the public to the nefarious conduct of ‘ two Roman Catholic young men ’ paying in the foothill match held at Oamaru on Good Friday. fo most it was at once apparent (hat motives of ill will towards the said young men actuated the writer of that would-bo beneficial epistle. Dr for what other reason could be or she possibly have had io selecting Catholics only as a butt for 'he perfectly uncalled-for utterances contained in that lettei 1 The writer has pointed out that members of the Chnrcb of England keep that day ‘ holy,’ and yet nothing is said about any players belonging to that denomination taking part in the game. I suppose the members of other denominations are either unaware of what happened on that day or regard that event as beneath their notice. Before rushing into print this ‘Member of the Church of Christ ’ should have made himself perfectly sure that Good Friday is regarded by Catholics ‘ as the most sacred and solemn day of the year.’ For the benefit of the public, as it seems that letter was written, I may state that if that member were to isqnire of some of the co-religionists of those young men he would find that there are several other days in the year on which even they would scruple to engage in such an awful sacrilege as playing football (as they did) on Good Friday. Even if it were wrong to do so, that is no reason why yon should have allowed it to appear before the wide circle of your readers. His ignorance of the game of football is very apparent, seeing be asks what motives led them to take part in the game. 1 suppose they, like all the others, went to play—and win. Did be imagine they went there to do as doubtless he did on that day—engage in prayer and meditation, with the possibility of a little shooth-g, by w«y of variety. Whatever their mo'ives were, I have no doubt they will be quite wiping to make the acquaintance (>f not already mads) of the wiiter, and receive from him, like penitents, a few of the in my kicks they bestowed upon the football on that memorable day. And in the future they *il! also be gl»d to benefit by any advice he may kindly give them, totally ignoring his very apparent hypocrisy and ignorance for which, perhaps, be is not accountable.—l am, etc., Jhstixia. Temukf), 6th April, 1891.