DIGGER'S LETTER BOX.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 37, 26 November 1920, Page 8

DIGGER'S LETTER BOX.

"JACQUES" IN RE HAPPENING IN SYDNEY TOWN HALL. (To the Editor). Sir, — Truth. "Jacques," "the truly religious instinct in mankind is , not moribund,"4 it is anything but a dying .state hankering after more fruit from the tree of knowledge. But through the false deductions put forth by the preaching fraternity they have stultified the Bible in the people' s eyes, and the people, like drowning men, catch at straws for support. Spiritualism is, like straws, a tangible thing, but we cannot bind up spiritualism into hales or bundles, and thereby be supported. Loose straw in cairn water will support, but when the storm arises the support disappears. 'So it is with spiritualism. '-'Men ' want mor nourishing spiritual pahulum to-day than that which satisfied their forefathers," so eays "Jacques." I say they cannot get any better than their forefathers, both having the Bible. -Only our forefathers' knowledge was not so extensive as ours, therefore more is. required of us to-day. "For unto whomsover much is given of him shall much be required." See Luke 12th 42-48. "Jacques" says "the churehes do not seem to be able to "deliver the goods." They are able but unwilling. It would spoil their trade, and what would become of their divvies? There is a saying, ' 'Rogues live on fools!" I add, and it is true also, "And so does the parson." Not that all parsons are rogues, but a great many parsons are fools, and these help those that are rogues tq a good living. You think I am unjust arid hard on the parsons. I am not, as see. A certain person visiting my house. I had allowed him to read a portion of the Seripture to me and my family, but I would not allow him to' pray, which, after dismissing my family, led up to a long and interesting talk. On taking his leave, while shaking hands, he sa-id he was pleased- to have met me as I was correct and that he could not contradict me. I thanked him and said ' 'That is good. You go and repeat what you have acknowledged and you will lose your billet, but Our Father will look after you. Do not do so, and my Father will deal with you." Sequel : My Father did deal with him, he acted the fool. Another parson in parting (I leaning over my front gate) said: "I do hope, Mr Brighton, that you do not think I believe all or the half of what I prea-ph." IJe got his answer, which would not look well in print. Thhere are some parsons and priests that I think a lot of good faithful men, helieving what they-preach, but foolish' for all that, afraid to trust to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Sir A. C. Doyle, I take to be honest, true and bold, but misled. The late > Charles Bradlaugh of Birmingham, and Robert Blatchford of the "Clarion," were men of tne right stamp. No hypocrisy with them, fighting to free the people from superstition and error, to rouse the people out of their lassitude, so that they would use their brains. Charles Bradlaugh was a great Hebrew scholar. I parted with him when he, in conjunction with Annie Besant, brought out that hook on the fruits of philosophy. They were both of the Church of England, but left it to think for themselves. They both have done so, seeking no aid from Him who ovenules all things,

I have found this to be a wrong thing to do, see ing that the Bible is the Woad of God "Holy men of old speaking asthey were guided by the Holy Spirit so, seeing it came by the Holy Spirit, it must need the Holy Spirit to interpret it, which. the Father gives to us through Our Lord His Son, which is to lead and teach us in all truth. See 1st Epistle John 2nd and 27. — I am, etc., GAVIN BRIGHTON. (To the Editor). Sir, — "Jacques," in "Passing Notes" this week, seems to imply that official red tape an unmixed evil. While red tape is anything, yet I cannot say it always wins, for in my instance I gained what enabled me to puxchase a four-inch objectiv'e telescope costing forty poimds; £40 for telescope alone. Also at the _same time I gained other seventy-five jjeunds. In another instance 1 came out on top with forty times — 12s 6d, say twenty-five pounds. While it was annoying I did gain in all one hundred and forty pounds, so I cannot; say red tape is an unmixed evil.- — I am, etc., GAVIN BRIGHTON.