EXTRAORDINARY SCANDAL.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 532, 16 October 1875, Page 2

EXTRAORDINARY SCANDAL.

A great public scandal has arisen in Auckland respecting some brands used by Messrs Nathan and Co, on Bisquit Doubouche and Go's brandy. The label in question is a kind of shield upon which is engraved the bust of a reverend looking personage dressed in what appears to be a coat of mail, with the letters S.M. on the right and left respectively and three cross-like flmr de Us above. The Rev J. Williams in the course of a recent sermon referred to this label as follows :—: — ''Th«re was a braud of spirits Bold in Auckland on which appeared a representation of Christ with the letter* ' S.M. signifying Salrator liundi (Sariourof the world) on either side and three crouet abore, io that a penon might now not only get drunk on Hennessj't or MarteH's, bat also upon the ' Jesus Christ brandy.' " Naturally enough these remarks gave rise to great scandal, more especially amongst the Good Templars, who regarded the label aa a deliberate insult to the Christian religion. It ia clear, however, from

farther inquiry ihat the rev gentleman has made much ado about nothing, the figure in the brand being merely that of Louis IX - , or Sainfc Louis, the supposed crosses French lilliet, the coat of mail the Crusaders' Armour, the letter S. signifying Saintes, where Louis fought against the English, and M his long wars against f, *J anommedans ' The Star says :— -hi«w». fln 4 th »t*ho title ' Jeau« Chrut " brand, which the Bar Mr William, thought it nectary CfJ^ 7^ Ppll^ m » A^nd to Kenn B&quit, Doubouchi and Co. faTourite cognac among a certain oUm of coniumer.. The origin of it appears to be the practice, in one or two ban, of wW&iTJ iUpposC »•» Prime joke 111) whether the cowumer wfll take HenneMVi, MarUUyor the • Jetu. Ohri»V The term i gro«l T offennTe to ererjone, whether Okriatian or not, the faith of hn neighbour., and we hope* that land, lord, will each Mo chat in hi. cUiblwhment the expre»Mon i. put a .top to. There is no ground rn'S^^^tf.' 11 * """»"•*•" » We cordially endorse the opinions of the Star. We are glad to say that the blasphemous practice referred to above has not yet been extended to the Waikato, and we are confident that the good taste of the settlers will prevent such a scandalous insult to common decency being introduced amongst us. We can well afford to leave such debased tastes to the dregs of the city population, or to those men of vitiated • minds who beKe their breeding- and education by making a mockery of the truths of the G,ospel. To speak irreverently in public of the Saviour or of Christianity is not only a deliberate insult to men who respect their own religious convictions, but is an indication of a low, vulgar) and brutalised mind.