FREE THOUGHT.

Evening Star, Issue 3200, 23 May 1873, Page 2

FREE THOUGHT.

To the Editor.

Sir, —After the surfeit of Spiritualism, to which wo have lately been subject, it woull be a pity not to try to turn it to account. Wo have seen how - the orthodox clergy received the movement in Dunedin some time ago upon the visit of Mr James Smith, and the yery antagonistic stand these gentlemen, in Melbourne as well as Dunedin, have taken upon the event of the mission of Mr Peebles and Dr Dunn. The Rev. Mr Potter, of Melbourne, denounced Spiritualism from his pulpit ai “blasphemy and whoredom,” and counselled everybody, against investigating the phenomena, as they would thereby subject themselves to attacks of catalepsy. Whatever the merits or demerits of Spiritualism may be, I shall not attempt to discuss ; but it cannot be denied that the dissemination of knowledge and the success of scientific research, resulting ia the practical application of its achievements to everyday life, have revolutionised society, by giving an impetus to progress in the direction of free thought, which must of necessity lead to still greater attainments, A step has been taken in Dunedin lately in the right direction, by the formation of a Society of Progressive Spiritualists ; but the word Spiritualist conveys a very vague and undefined meaning. Why not go a little further and make it a “Society for the protection a - d advancement of freethought ?” When wo see the author of “ The Cotter’s Saturday Night” defamed, and decried as an atheist and sensualist, and an excellent paper like the late Echo die from want of support; when the clergy, who should be the educators of mankind, try to forge new fetters for the human intellect, and the Press throws doubts and jeers at, in one column, what it has published in another as established facts ; it is no more than just that the public should have some well organised body to guide it, and point out the road to truth through this chaos.—l am, k c.,‘ Saoitta. Arrow River, May 19.