Correspondence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 417, 16 December 1874, Page 3

Correspondence.

SABBATH DESECRATION. {To the, Editor.)

Sib, — Your correspondent, J. Cox, says : " I am not at all astonished at the tone of S.s declaimer," (declamation would have been better,) "at what he is pleased to call ' the desecration of the Sabbath ' by a few (N. 8., afew) "of the young men of thisplace." Why ? I give his own reason, which is : " for he is evidently one of those thorough-going Christianß who strain at gnat 9 and swallow camels." If he will turn to Matthew sxin., he will see that the foregoing quotation, which he so flauntingly exhibits, was spoken by Him from whom Christians derive then? name, and to (no thorough-going Christians, as he charfl acterises me,) tbo' Scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites of tlie age. Hence, a quotation misapplied : or, a sentence abounding in inconsistent incongruities. J. C. speaks — or thinks he speaks — very philantnropically when he alludes to " the young men who are, during the week, cooped up " (this expression savours a little of Fleet-street, with its tailless poultry, and men with green aprons,) "in stores and other business places." Allow me to tell him that amongst the Sabbath Cricketers there are only two who are thus "cooped up" and one of these two— i.e., himself — is his own master, and therefore might — and I believe, does — find time for ■week day exercise. Next, be wants me to discriminate in re Sabbath driving, riding, &c. One subject at a time, Sir, if he pleases. Let Sabbath-cricketing form the advance guard of the battalia ; this skirmish being over, then advance with his other detachments — even to his " wvincibles." For this reason I decline toact— as he facetiously observes, — as, "Daniel. . . r come to judgment." Sir, J. C. sneeringly alludes to the "gospel ministrations (about ten visits per annum.)" This assertion within parenthesis is incorrect. But were it " true, most true " as he declares, the rarity of such service would not detract from its efficacy — nay, on the contrary, knowing that it cannot be helped, it would but make it more appreciated. An old adage has it " Better a wee bush than nae bield " (shelter.) If the Waipori people cannot feed on the fat of the land, with regard to spiritual food, by all means let them have the " crumbs which fall from the rich man's table." It is all the sweeter through being scarce, and none the less palatable though it be received in smalls. A short time before I wrote ,my first letter to the Ttjapeza Times, closing at 7 o'clock .was the rule in Waipori, and half-holidays are by no means so as 3. C. would have your readers beliere, as three Lave occurred, during the month of November — viz., Monday, the 9th, Wednesday the 25th, and Monday 30th. Here three take place within the month, and yet J. C. asserts that " half-holidays are not known here," (Waipori). lam sorry, extremely sorry, that I cannot favour J. C. with my real name ; but this njped not stop the discussion, sufficient for him is it to^now that you, Mr. Editor, have it, and that tho controversy is a bona fide, one. — I am, &c, S.