THE REV. W. J. WILLIAMS’ LECTURE.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 38, 20 November 1871, Page 3

THE REV. W. J. WILLIAMS’ LECTURE.

To the Editor of the Thames Guardian. Sir, —This subject ns it appears in print in an intelligent or in an intellectual sense, is indeed unworthy of any comment being made upon it, in the former because it enlightens none who have read it, and in the latter because it displays no ability nor encompasses no capacity other than could be shown by a school-boy whilst gleaning the whole substance of it, and indeed much more, from books on the same subject which might casually come in his way. Consequently I would pass it by as it deserves, were it not that other men whom it did not affect so much have taken the matter up in such a truly Christian spirit, that I desire to reciprocate the same feeling towards them as well as to all men who are imbued with such liberal and enlightened Christian principles as they profess. With reference to the lecture itself, you, sir, have almost taken the wind out of my sail when you soaptly remarked that “ the lecturer travelled over rather well-beaten ground.” One would imagine that he ought to have intelligence enougli to know that, and also at most he might know that he could only ape the many able men who have from time to time beaten the same ground over and over again, and still could not, even in the least, affect the rich luxuriant crop it yields so spontaneously and naturally, and will till time is no more. Even Luther himself, according to the best authent'cated accounts, confessed that he made a sorry figure of himself in doing it. No wonder, as the Rev. Lecturer admits, he, Luther, was a wayward child, and it should be naturally expected that he would be a froward or a wayside man. It appears such to be the case, as—- “ It was love first taught poor Luther to be wise When his gospel light had beamed from the lady’s eyes.” I must endorse the sentiment of the rev. speakers, “to read the life of Martin Lutherbut let me add to the reader not such a life of him as is written in a bigotted spirit, and for a mercenary purpose but such a one as is written even by some Protestant author of profound learning and sacred honour, and then I have no fear but the impartial reader will estimate the lecture of Mr ‘Williams at its true value. In conclusion, I must state that I, an unworthy Catholic, have great pleasure in also endorsing the sentiment of the Rev. J. Buller, “ that the great battle of Protestantism has yet to be fought in New Zealand. It has, sir, and by whom ? By all liberal and enlightened-minded men protesting against any one, and Christian ministers, especially, who may uncharitably attempt to exhibit the views of any sect of Christians in an unchristian spirit, instead of inculcating among all Christians that sublime doctrine of brotherly love andjaffection for each other, whereby we all hope to attain that happy eternal end. "id for which we worship the same God, whether individually or collectively, according to the dictates of our own consciences.—l am, &c., Patricias. Grahamstown, Nov. 17, 1871.