THE DUNEDIN ATHENÆUM.

Evening Star, Issue 4206, 19 August 1876, Page 2

THE DUNEDIN ATHENÆUM.

To the Editor.

Sib,—At the monthly meeting of the Athenamm Committee Mr Dick suggested that a committee be appointed to withdraw any books they may think fit. This is simply a suggestion of his abbettors, in which he is slyly supported by Mr Denniston, who is not at all certain, but books may have bean passed by the committee which were objectionable. Mr Fish considered the motion unnecessary, because the books to which objection might be taken would have to be passed by the general committee; while Mr Logan wanted to know if this thing would be eternally brought up, because of some sort or theological crotchet getting into their heads. True it is, every, religious sect holds special opinions which it considers to be orthodox, and teach us that only such books that support these ought to be read and their meanings interpreted agreeably to said notions. The majority of the members of the Athenajuin believe they were created with thinking and discriminating powers that they might judge and think on their own account. As to abstaining from secular knowledge, they find that with its increase so is increased and displayed His greatness and goodness with distant happy prospects into the far future j while their happiness here is daily increased thereby, and they do observe that. As Mr Chapman remarked, mere harm will be done uy discussing the** subteets than by introducing the books. Ififc be a fact that obseene books have found their way into the institution, there should b« some sort oirevision. "To the pure all things are pure," and them it may be found that there iseno book in the library containing one impurity.—l am, &c, A Reader. Dunedin, August 19.