ARAPOHUE.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 165, 30 September 1892, Page 8

ARAPOHUE.

[FROM OTJR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] I have no wish to enter into a wordy war with any of my brother correspondents which would probably not be interesting or profitable ; but trie scribe who represents Mareretu, has characterised my pen as “ inaisereci ” and also avows himself a sympathiser with the temperance party. I trust he is sincere. We do not want half and half people. It is very easy to be a sympathiser in any matter when you find the majority are on that side. I am rather dubious of a person who was in such haste to take up the cudgels in defence of a pullieau residing a dozen miles away, and who was so ready to condemn me for giving a pi..in statement of what came under my observation. It would simply be presumptuous for me (o assert that what flows from my pen is invariably happy and discreet. The interpretation of this word is, prudent, circumspect, cautious. Now this would form a very good text for a sermon. Eli passant, 1 wonder would it not be just as beneficial if our parsons ventured occasionally to step) out side the old book and take a text from such a subject as, Economy, Pay your debts etc. Father Hac-kett, I see, gave his flock a bitof good advice on the latter lately. ’Tis well to be wary in all things, but many are discreet from a very selfish stand point ; they simply wish to get through life as

smoothly, and pleasantly as possible. The great problem for us all is, How shall wo best enjoy life here? Yie all need some perennial source from which to draw. Sermons and discourses without number doubtless have been composed on this subject, T ■■■•’ill not pretend to unfold the whole secret.. 11,., .. Iccss comes unbidden. People can find happiness in a variety of ways, and from different sources. That- indeed goes without saying, but there is for instance, what might be termed a negative happiness —that comes from a sense of having performed a duty. You may have to rebuke a friend, and even incur enmity, but if actuated by an earnest desire to do good your course is clear. This I need hardly say is no new doctrine. It is the duty re ■ quired of all ; the call to a higher life. In the words of the founder of our religion “ He that seeketh to loose his life for my sake shall find it,’’ I would commend to all who may not have yet read it, Professor Drummond’s discourse on “ The Greatest Thing in the World.” In conclusion let me add that my desire is to be on good terms with all ; my broi hers of the pen in particular. And when there is one mind and one aim, then there will be amity !