GOSPEL TEMPERANCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2425, 14 October 1886, Page 2

GOSPEL TEMPERANCE.

There was ft largo audience in tlxo Wcsleyan Church last, evening when Mr II 8. Hawkins occupied the platform of the Gusjjol Temperanco Union, and delivered a lecture entitled "'lsChristianity necessary for the happiness of tho people of Now Zealand?". In introducing the Lecturer, the Chairman, Rev, D. lulton said there was a wide field of labor in which tho laymen could assist tho clergy in the spreading of Christianity, and lie heartily welcomed Mr Hawkins among them, as one who was doing his utmost to advance this work.

Mr Hawkins, who was received with enthusiasm, commenced by saying that he always considered that there was an amount of diflidence and responsibility resting upon himself in speaking to an audience on tho subject lie had chosen, more especially in the House of God. and his earnest prayer was that no word of his would bo niiscoiisti'uetccl onnisimderstood. He alluded to a religion that was making headway in the world, to tho detriment of Christianity, viz,, Progress, whose objects were tho worship of art, and science, tho material advancement of mankind, abolition of poverty and free secular education. Ho said tho country was being.guided by the disciples 0f... this new religion, and their ideas iivere already being Btamped" on the Statue Books, and he impressed on his liters ' the necessity of returning to Parliament men imbued with Christian principles, for without such principles he c6ntended the people could have no confidence in them, for it required traditions'of honor and a fear of God to lead nion aright, The early history of Athens and Rome were dealt with, the success ot the nation

beins; due to theit high morality} liji&heit downfall to ; sensuality, .and tfe&llplfe. The of Christ had the minds of the 'people for nearly ipf; years, its teachinga'and practices '.hatrtaf a beneficial effect on - mankind, ...art# although it had received the darts-of ; Voltaire, Cicero, Payne, and numerous, others, Christianity shone out more brilliant' than ever, if the name of Christ was struck out of the praise and prayer of Christianity what oould be substituted ? Would it be the teachings of Plato, Aristotle,-Socrates, Confusius, Brahma, or Nature.' and Progress ? If the latter, the lecturer argued that they gave no reason for their teachings, except that Christ is a suporstition, Tho progress of modern Europe the speaker attributed to christian influence, which had swayed civilisation for the ;past ten centuries. Tho protection of the weak against the strong, tho check that was put upon kings and nobles, the teaching of the poor when the State neglected them, were all credited to the Church; The moulding of tlio characters of tho English race, wluae honesty and morality were of a hi ;h standing, were credited to Christianity, and also the abolition of slavery. The lecturer paid high tributes to tho memories of General Gordon and the Ea'l of Shaftsbury, and as a sample of living christian workers alluded to Mr Gladstone. Referring to woman's position, ho said that'her crown of glory was faith ia Clivisbj wluuh was neoesaary to make hor a tender mother and a loving wife, and wilh regard to man, lie required God's blessing more than men's praise. Alluding to tho proposed metaphysical and social government; Mr,'Hawkins asked his audience, to look at the ! United Statos. tie could not tiiid that tlleir Government had improved the happinoss of the people, Some of them were rich, but it was due more to sharpness than honesty,, and the frequent conflicts be : twoon labor and capital was not n good omen. He concluded by stating that past history and present experience force's on us that the religion of progress fails to make a people happy, and that a faith in Christ and his divinity is necessary to ensure peifeethappiness, for to be withoutChrist, is to be without salvation. Loudand prolonged applause followed on the conclusion of the lecture, and a vote of thanks was accorded by acclamation to tho lecturer. Tho Gospel Temperance choir, under the leadership of Mr Betty, and Mrs Gapper organist, lendered several selections durin? the evoniiif.