REPLY TO REV. MR THOMAS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 435, 10 April 1880, Page 3

REPLY TO REV. MR THOMAS.

' "To"the Editor Wairarapa Dail)';'': ' . ' Siji,—l..was /muoh disaapppinted' Viii leading in-your issue of Thursdaythere is a want of complex . "-new about it which' greatly' detracts from i ita.utility,.. : It,.doea not show what the v .Jiiinisters of-rajigion in our midst liave done to lessen the objectionable habits of our young men. When "my'eye caught ; the headiu£»,\ I. expected Mr Thomas to either clearly demonstrate that yoiir line reasoning,-, as enibidi.ed in, an- article of the lfjt'Jnst,,; whb wrong, or that he (i ; would at least join iasuo with you, on the serious charge made ,against the cloth, ' ' Viz.,'- "tfielauit lies not so much with the .... .. disciples • as, with, the teachers and • preachers." Will Mr Thomas reply to this, or must judgment go by default?' Further on you say, " There is little • genuine sympathy and real friendliness between the minister and the young men of his flock." Can Mr Thomas allege a reason for this, other than that given by • you'/. , Mr Thomas, .in his letter, says" The Saturday afternoon cricketing is becoming quite an,institution in Greytown, and lam really pleased to see it. Everyone knows that that recreation is too violent for some folk who are not very robust," I sincerely trust this. paragraph has been misprinted. Perhaps your devil has bem making himself officious. Mr Thomas tells of a fellow-student having got his leg broken while playing football, which reminds me of a fellow- • student of mine, who aliped oil the pavement/ while going to church, and broke liis leg. The moral to both mis ' ; haps, according, to Mr Thomas' logic would be " Don't play football," and ""Don't go - to church." . ; •- rthink' that any rational being will agree with me that billiards are an exceedingly Wholesome recreation, specially adapted for those who are not very robust, or for exercise for both ladies and gentlemen in wet weather; That auy game is abused by the introduction of gambling cannot bo urged as an objection to the games themselves. With regard to collecting and classifying the floral and vegetable germs around us, let me ask Mr Thomas, have the ministry in our midst done anything towards placing their knowledge acquired at college within easy access of the young men of their congregations, Then, again, about music. Mr Thomas - takes exception to a certain kind of music . because it does not please him ,■ although he acknowledges that it pleases the majority. Surely, if even a "jingling sound," and "an occasional shriek" will keep yonng men .out of objeotionable houses, it should .be encouraged. He also asks,who.Cfires for the highest type of music.}'. lean answer that very easily —no one, except those who have.acquired . a taste, for-it. For my part, the simplest -ballad, sung' svySetly; has more charm for jtne than some compositions by the highest . .. classed masters,. Tarn, &c. ; , One ofW'YoteG/MEN.' ' Masterto'n,.April 8.,,1880.