To the Editor

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2222, 17 February 1886, Page 2

To the Editor

Sir,—The letter of your correspondent " Temperance" evidently has some fouri-. dation in fact. The Ministers of the Gospel will not leave their platform to make common cause against the drink traffic. Sectarianism is introduced into the gospel of total abstinance also, and instead of the work being carried on effectively and with power, it just dribbles along and is all but dried up, The Good Templers sit with closed doors and no one can gain admission through its sacred portals, except by the knowledgo of certain mysterious knocks, signs, and passwords. So fearful are they of i\ny of the profane gaining a knowledge of their proceedings, that their- doors are doubly guarded and locked, and stagers are noteven admitted into the anti-room of their lodge, And when tho awe-inspiring Neophyte,. after he has noregrenated, genuflected and gesticulated, takes his' seat, in this, to him hitherto mysterious, fraternity he naturally looks forward to have expounded to him by the shining lights, the programme under which they carry on their work, and which helms sworn to aid. But what does beget? Aro the members earnestly appealed to ? Are their strong feelings aroused and their hatred of what is causing aa much misery made more intense, and its remedy pointed out and insisted upon,} It by no means follows, uay,Tt.ia itiore than probable, that after'the phantasmagoria) initiajtion has been got through, thero is neither time nor inclination to indulge in profitable business, but it is probable that tho remainder of the evening will be devoted to harmony, when some', superannuated reformed Bacchanalian may troll forth with lingering regret, one of his well-remembered pot-house songs of .the past. Now, sir, this may account for the mystery, secresy, and closed doors referred to. It certainly cannot be expected to cany out tho objects of the founders of Good Templarism. I also think with " Temperance" that a reformer is wanted for the tomperanco people themselves, who, when they, have,'boon regenerated, may he a means of usefulness \vhjoh they certainly are not at present, law, Ac, Reform.