PROSELYTISING IN TUAPEKA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 217, 28 March 1872, Page 5

PROSELYTISING IN TUAPEKA.

(To the Editor.) Sir, — In « your last issue, under the heading of Deaths, is a notice of James Smith's demise, with the tail added, " Becoming a member of the Catholic faith of his own free will." Now, as the public are not informed how this achievement was accomplished, with the kind indulgence of a space in your paper, T will try (on reliable information) to tell them. James Smith was a member of the Church of England, and his wife is a Roman Catholic, and it would seem that she often tried to persuade him to adopt her viows while he was silk. On Wednesday, the 6th March, she sent for Father Larkin, telling the messenger that she had succeeded in bringing her husband to that at last. Father Larkin quickly went up to Wetherstones, and when he arrived, ho knows the reception the sick man gave him. It was such that he will not easily forget it. Suffice it to say he did not go back until the day before the sick man breathed his last. He was then in a dying state, feeble and helpless in mind and body. It was not an alteration in judgment — it was not a conviction that made him submit. He was at their mercy, and they now set forth to the world their creditable report. It is said that while in this weak state he was induced +o allow some alterations in lfts will ; but it is satisfactory to know that there are two gentlemen named in the will as executors who will see justice done to the children. — I am, &c, An Old Catholic. Lawrence, March 26th. (To the Editor.) Sir, — I observed in the last issue of the " Tuapeka Times" a statement regarding our late worthy townsman, James Smith, which will bear correcting. A friend who called to see him on the Wednesday before his death was requested by him to have his burial service read by the Rev. Mr. Stanford or the Rev Mr. Beaumont. We live in a free country, where free liberty of conscience is supposed to be allowed, but it has not been so with Mr. Smith. Tn fact, his case cannot be termed anything else than one body-snatching.

By inserting these few lines in your valuable paper, you will much oblige A Friend op the late James Smith.

P.S. — Sydney and Melbourne papers please copy.