APHENEUM READINGS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 132, 18 August 1870, Page 6

APHENEUM READINGS.

fTo the Elitar of the T napalm Times.) Sir, — T was both surprised and disappointed on Thursday, 4th mat., at the gmi.ll attendance at the Headings, and Was sorry to see that the entertaiupasnt offered was not aa good as usual. What is the reason of this ? This is the third series of Readings that has been begun in Lawrence, and each time there has been a good beginning. Each time the Readings have flourished for a longer or shorter period, and each time they have become second and third rate, and then collapsed. Again, T ask, why is this ? We have not far to go for an answer. The reason is that those who can and ought to give their assistance will not do so. I notice especially that the clergymen of the district hold aloof. In other places they are generally foremost in matters of this kind, and exert themselves willingly to keep up the tone of these popular Readings, and make them instructive as well as entertaining ; but here they seem to treat the matter with the utmost indifference. Do they think their whole duty consists in going through a stated routine once in seven days ? in preaching at us for a stated number of minutes on the seventh day, leaving us to our own devices for the other six ? If this is the case, is it any wonder that our religion is like our Sunday coats, to be put on for a short time on Sundays and then hung up on a peg for the rest of the week ? I cannot help contrasting, in my own mind, the state of things here with what I used to, see in a little village in the North Island, where I once spent a very pleasant three months. There the clergyman pf the district was the prime mover in getting up the Penny Readings (for a penny was the actual price charged). His wife, who could sing and play well, looked after the musical part of the entertainment; and we used to look forward to the Friday evenings with the expectation of " hearing s,o,mething to our advantage;" and seldom were we disappointed. But mv remarks do not apply exclusively to clergyman. I hold it to be a true doctrine that any one who is able in any way to benefit his neighbours, without injuring himself, and does not do so, hides his talent in the ground, and does not do his duty in that state pf life in which it has pleased G-od to place him. " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might." ihe words are not " Whatsoever you think you ought to do ; " but even supposing they were, which of us does all, or even half, that his conscience tells him he ought? The Athenseum Readings are intended to fulfil a good purpose, by affording rational amusement, and perhaps instruction, to those who attend them ; and the funds are devoted to the several objects of the institution. When we see little country villages carry through a course of these readings successfully, I think the entertainment (?) on Thursday last does not reflect much credit on those who, as I said before, can lend a helping hand, but who are either too lazy, too selfish, or too much wrapped up in their own egotism to do so. Hoping these few remarks may help to alter the present state of things with regard to the Athenaeum j^eadiugs, — I am, <fee, Reader.