"Charles Dickens."

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3502, 16 March 1880, Page 2

"Charles Dickens."

In consequence of the unfavorable opinion expressed by one of the Auckland ministers, of the religious belief, as expressed in his writings, of the late lamented novelist, Charles Dickens, the Key. S. Edger wai solicited by a large number of genilemen to deliver a lecture on the subject, and on Sunday evening last the Lome street Hall was occupied by a crowded auditory, anxious to hear the reverend gentleman's vindication of him. Judging from the reports in the Auckland papers, he was very successful in his attempt. The following extract is the peroration :—" He had been blamed for the Chadbands and Pecksniffs which he had held up to ridicule. But no man did higher service to religion than he who unmasked the shameless hypocrisies that in all known ages have disgraced religion by their pious falsehoods. The religion that allowed men who could lie to assume ambassadorship of Christ and speak piously of Heaven and judgment, the religion that looked up with meek confessions, while it lacerated and tortured God's poor children here, the religion that had abundant cheats in the market— of such religion Dickens had none, nor did he think they would have liked him the better if he had. But of the religion that means a conscience void of offence towards God and man, ceasing to do evil, learning to do well; that means visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and being mindful and kind to the little ones, with a cup of cold water for every thirsty soul,—of that religion Dickens' books were full to overflowing. It were well for us if the need of his kind of .work were over and passed. But, alas! No. There were things done to-day needing as bitter tears and as sharp rebukes as the things he dealt with. And why were they done? Because their conventional forms threw a shelter over them; because their piety refused to see them; because their complacent prudery shut them out from polite conversation, and their selfishness was only too glad of an excuse; because, in short; there lacks the hand to lift the veil and show the rottenness of the social heart. Oh! for a score of Charles Dickenses to do it. Because until this is done, true religion turns her pale face to the earth and weeps in silent humiliation and sorrow. Because when it is done, we shall come one step nearer to the long-hoped-for day, when all iniquities shall call to the rocks ana hill to hide them, because society will no longer shelter them—when every cry of anguish in every land will cease under the benignant reign, of equity and love. And as the eternal records unfold the names of the true and brave men who have toiled to bring on this age, among them will be seen in glittering characters that of Charles Dickens.