NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 390, 17 March 1908, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Some six years ago a city was founded in New Mexico by a number of freethinkers, with the avowed object of proving to the world how supremely happy and prosperous men can be without God and all those old-fashioned trammels of religion. In the city, which they named “Liberal,” no church might be built, no clergyman might officiate, and, above ajl, no religious instruction of any kind might be imparted. Sunday as a day of rest and worship, was absolutely disregarded. And now, says the Auckland Church Gazette, after six years’ trial of the scheme, what is the result? Nine-tenths of the inhabitants would gladly sell their property and leave the town if they could but find purchasers. No schools have been built yet; drunkenness and immorality are rampant; iquarrels have been constant from the very outset; and even the women and children make use of loiv language. No manufactory of any kind has been erected, commerce is at a standstill, although the town lies in a fruitful locality, and is surrounded by rich coal-

mines. Such is Literal to day ! In the fate of this Godless city, do we not see the fulfilment of the Psalmist’s words: “Except the Lord build the house, their labour is but lost that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.