LET THERE BE LIGHT.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1072, 8 May 1879, Page 2

LET THERE BE LIGHT.

Sib,— [t is known to all that the most enormous errors have been fabricated and patented by the Church, and made venerable by the antiquity of former ages. Far the time will come, Avhen fchey will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts, .shall they keep to themselves teachers having, itching ears : 2 Timothy, chap, iv., verse 3. HaA'ing a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof, from suoh turn aAvay, chap. 3, verso 5. If we look bsloAV the mere outward show of the state of Christianity m this colony, notwithstanding the great increase of Churches, Ministers, Professors, &c. Shall we not find a most useless and extravagant outlay, m the mere machinery, apparatus, or scaffolding, whilst the great end for which it is erected is. unattained. If Aye take 'a. view. of that portion of the inhabitants called | Christians, ' and separate the chaff from the Avheat, will not some of our Churches, so called, vanish into thin air. Separate the outer court worshippers, viz., the Scribes, Pharisees, hippocrites, slanderous, covet uous and fashionable, and then what remains of our flock. If this is the result, after so much expense and exertion these years back, may the Lord deliver us from Doctors of Divinity, Ecclesiastical Patentees, Literary and Theological Divines. I Avould ask wherein do men that profess to lead the flock, show their superiority of attributes. Does not what is called a' lay preacher, or lay brother, show vastly more self-denying love and power, Avho supports his family, labours m doctrine, helps to sustain the Church, gives to the poor, and subscribes to the support of the Ministers, &c. Was it not the glory of the Apostles, that they preached without expense. Ars not these lay preachers following m their footsteps. Our Lord knew that the mercenary spirit would get into the Church, therefore does he say, freely ye have received, freely give, it is more blessed to give than receive. Take only one cloak, &c. Aud the Apostle Paul goes on to say, he was m perils oft. It cannot be denied, my friends, but that you are m peril, but not, I fear, of the Apostolic Order. In perils by your countrymen, of burnishing you with useless logic, and clothing you Avith the canonical robes of Babylon, and transmuting you with their touch into clerical buuglars, and mere ritual performers. In perils of patronising vanity fairs, and becoming bazaar hawkers. In perils at pleasure trips, carnal music and song singing, of light reading, genteel gambling-, joke cracking and idle conversation. In peril of wine bibing and cigar smoking. In peril of taking up a reproach against a brother, and of pulpit pointing. Iv peril of being found where you were never sent, of being self-fed shepherds, unfaithful ' watchmen and church commercial speculators. Does the worldly man retain the bulk of his property, live on the interest, and' solace his conscience with the intention af devoting- a portion, after death, to tho Church. JL)o not many thafc are called minister do the same Qr, you know whether, by the appearance of being occupied m visiting, &c, and iv what you call preaching the Gospel, you have instructed the people to believe thafc you aye doing the right Avoik m fcho right place, and that you are walking for them, instead of yourselves, and not for the loaves and fishes, — I am, &c., William Sloane. Tc Awamutu, 20th April, 1879.