THE TEACHING OF THE MISSION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2108, 12 January 1886, Page 3

THE TEACHING OF THE MISSION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — The letter signed by " Englishman '* being merely a repetition of the charges and, insinuations contained in his former one needs no further reply on my pait. Since writing uiy last, however, I have had an opportunity of seeing tlie " Wedding Garment," where I find the Confessional really introduced. I therefore leave it to your readers to examine the " Wedding Garment" for themselves, and see whether my assertions have been without foundation. With regard to the letter feigned " Wesleyan,' 1 1 leel the same diffidence as ho does in" witting on matters concerning other Churches. We have all quite enough to do to look after the faults and shortcomings of our own respective Churches, and would avoid much unpleasantness by doing bo. The remark in my letter which he refers to was merely a pacing reflection ; but, as he asks for an explanation, I feel myself bound to give it, although I should not care to discuss the point. Firstly, with regard to neglecting "morality and practical religion in favour of ceremony." I find in most bodies too much stress laid upon outward forms (i. c., either for or or against. I hold that the man who cannot worship God because there are candles burning before him, and -the man who cannot worship without them, are both ritualistic and fall under the same condemnation.) There is too much time wasted — even in dissenting places of worship — in decrying the ceremonies made use of by certain other bodies of Christians. The church or chapel is for worship, and for preaching the Gospel— not for finding fault with other people's ideas and inclinations. Some dissenters also ascribe excessive importance to the outward forms of baptism particularly. We have heard of others, too, crying out very energetically against the use of the organ and other instruments. It is tho same principle throughout, viz., "thnt we need a certain particular form t-i pnuch God. The true worshipper worship* G <d in spirit and in truth, and ot forms he can appropriate all that help him to a deeper and more religious life." Though I have spoken so strongly (and I think rightly so) on Mr Mason's treatment of other Churches, I must say, whde treating on this side of the subject, that I have heard dissenting ministers say far harder and more uncharitable things of the Church of England than what he said of dissenters, and what induced me to write in the first instance. Secondly, with regard to " neglecting practical religion, &c, in favour of doctrinal schemes of salvation, " I will refer " Wesleyan " to the following quotation from FroudeV short Studies, 111, 156 : " Protestant nations have been fuilty, as nations, of enormous crimes, 'rotestant individuals, who profess the soundest of creeds, seem in their conduct to have no creed at all beyond a conviction that pleasure is pleasant, and that money will purchase it. political corruption grows up, sharp practice in trade grows up, — dishonest speculations, short weights and measures, and adulteration of food. The commercial and political Protestant world on both nides of the Atlantic has accepted a code of action from which morality has been banished, and the clergy have for the most part sat silent, and occupy themselves in carving and polishing into completeness their schemes of doctrinal salvation." Lastly, I would urge your readers to freely allow to all Churches the ceremonies they prefer, and all unite in nurturing the true Christian brotherhood, and genuine inward and practical religion. — Yours obediently, Broad Churchman. [This correspondence is closed. — Ed.]

1 What is your occupation ?' the Judge asked the seedy, red-nosed man. 'I'm » bar-tender, your Honour,' was the reply. • But the officer swears you are a loafer, and pass the greater part of your time in saloons.' 'Don't a bar-tender pass most of his time in saloons ?' 'True,' mused the Judge. 'By the way,' he asked, ' which tide of the bar do you tend ?' ' The outside, your Honour.' 'I thought so,' said the judge. 'Three months.' Good Words— From Goon Authority.—* • • We confess that we are perfectly amazed at the run of jour American Co's Hop Bitters. We never had auything like it, and never heard of the like. The writer (iicnton) has been selling drugs here nearly thirty years, aid has seen the rise of Hostetter's Vinegar and all other bitters and patent medicines, but never did any of them, in their best da) s, begin to have the run that American Hop LI liters have. * • We rant get enough of tbem. We arc out of thtim half the time. * * Extract from letter to Hop Bitteri Co.. TT.S.A . Auzust 2-2, '78, from Bfnion, Myers and Co , Wholesale druggists, Cleveland, O. He sure and see