The Lyceum.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XII, Issue 1722, 1 June 1886, Page 2

The Lyceum.

FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.

To the Members. Ladies and Gentlemen, — It is with more than ordinary feelings of pleasure and satisfaction, that we present to you this evening the first Annual Report and Balauce-sheot of the Palmerston North Lyceum. Tho success of the freethought movement m this township hag justified the members m commemorating the,Mirst anniversary m a manner suitable to the occasion. "The day appointed for carrying out the suggestions of the committoe inrfy be considered, by our orthodox opponents, as an encroachment on Sabbath observance ; for, a few years ago, a man might as well commit murder as break the fourth Commandment ; yet, if the Sabbath institution is traced to its source, we find it is not of Mosaic origin, but a custom antedating ths earliest records of history. For centuries before the time of Moses, one day was set apart for rest, recreation, or religious worship, different days being set apart by different nations. It needs not the proclamation of Jehovah to decide the day, or enforce the observance of same. Man's instincts and desire for relief from labor save birth to the institution. But the Priest instituted certain ordinances, and the credulous have ever since felt tatisfied to work for six days out of the seven, to support lor six days m luxury the lords of the seventh. As Freethinkers, we agree with Martin Luther, who said : '' If anywhere , jihe day is made holy for the mere day's sake ;if I anyone sets up its observance on a Jewish foundation, then. I order you to work on it, to ride on it,, to dance on it, .to do anything that will reprove this encroachment on Christian spirit ..and liberty." "However, it is uot our intention to address you on Sabbath observance further than is necessary to break through the prejudice entertained even by some who have dared to favor n3 with their presence to day. It must be a source of pleasure to our members and all Rationalists, to find that, twelve months ago, four individuals undertook the arduous task of inaugurating the movement m this town, which assumes such large and satisfactory proportions to day, not only m actual membership, I wt m actual results, as evidenced m the most remote parts of the district. We cannot pretend to guage our strength or the result of our labours within the walls of this edifice ; but we can safely affirm that the rationalistic tenets advanced from our platform have not, as prognosticated, been opposed to the well- being of humanity, morally or intellectually. The great object of our society is, the attainment and promulgation of know-, ledge, as the best means of promoting the welfare and happiness of the human race This object has not been lost sight of, and we confidently hope that the trust: reposed m us, has not been violated. We have had, as a natural result, to stem the current of superstition, swollen banfc high by the rivulets of opposition from brthodoxical sources. The saying is indeed suggestive of our position : " A dead carcase may float with the current, but it reqniries vitality, self-reliance, and indomitable energy to stein the cur-' rent and go up stream.' Ours has been an upstream task. Every means have been adopted, conducive to the welfare of the movement. We ir.ay mention the well appointed room we meet in,tlie rental which may be considered a strain on our limited receipts ; nevertheless the sum of £5 per quarter has been punctually paid for tho use of same. Most satisfactory results have been obtained through advertising m bofch* local papers, and we may be permitted to remark with reference to the proprietors, that we have always received at their hands the moat courteous treatment, and from their pens the most impartial and encouraging notice. And we desire to 'convey our best thanks to those gentlemen, as embodied herein. Our movements have not been disguised. Our daily notifications of the subjects dealt with from tinie to time, were open to challenge and discussion invited. But, notwithstanding the fact that the gauntlet has been cast at the feet of clergy and laymen for twelve months, no David has stepped forth from the Christian hosts to fight tlie Goliath .Infidelity. We have iff- 1 culcated self-reliance, it being the base work of our Society. Extraneous aid I we have not sought, and as a natural ' result we have received but little, as our statement clearly shews. Our total receipts for the year amount to £78 9s 9d, and disbursements £71 8s 3d. Sale of pamphlets, &c, have amounted to £24 8s 8d during the past nine months, . and the benefit arisen therefrom cannot be over-estimated. A few months past " The Celebrated Age of Eeason " was unprocurable m the district ; whilst at the present time scores of them are m circulation, and repeated enquiries come from outlying districts. Our box which has faithfully beenkept m position at the door has returned the sum of £4 9s 7d during the year. Our receipts might have represented a much larger amount, but it was considered advisable to reduce the subscription for membership from 5s to 2s 6d per quarter. Our total assets represent the sum of £26 18s 3d, and liabilities £11 18s 3d, leaving a very creditable balance of £15. Of good paying members we have 80, most of whom are heads of families ; our actual membership cannot be estimated at less than 200. Therefore the little ripple, sarcastically so called, has assumed proportions, if not beyond our own expectations, they are nevertheless beyond the expectations or desire of our opponents. We have appealed on previous occasions for assistance m music, both vocal and instrumental, but up to the present without success, therefore the duties have fallen somewhat heavily on Miss M. Walton as piauist, and Messrs Hewitt and Person as vocalists. But the selfimposed task has been faithfully carried out, and we feel sure that the thanks of the Society are due to them. Good music tfhd singing are requisitely necessary m the working of an institution such as ours, and we hope as prejudice disappears assistance m that respect will be forthcoming. The same lack of assistance is applicable to the platform work, for during the past year our President has occuuied the platform forty times, Mrs Moore once, Miss Chapman four times, Mr Selby once, Mr Beattie three times, and Mr Hall twice. We would; impress upon members the necessity for renewed activity and: assistance m the matters mentioned, and we trust the ensuing year will make an era m the annals of Freethought never to be forgotten, for Palmerston North Has been termed the "home of Freethought" by our friends,and "the hot bed of Infidelity" by our enemies, the latter having displayed the greatest persistency m misrepresenting us and inculcating the strongest prejudice against our cause. We have, however, taken a firm stand, and with your united assistance and support we hope to retain m the future the confidence and respect ot a large section o£ the community outside the walls of our Lyceum. And the sympathy of many is actually with us, who, from social and domestic prejudices, are prevented from boldly and openly acknow. ledging themselves, such is the chain that binds our fellows to the orthodox sign-posts. There is evidently a feeling of fear and envy abroad m our township, as evidenced m the action of a certain individual'in school-matters. The liberty of the individual would yet be wrested from us, if it were possible, as evidenced m the action o£ our Library Committee, who sit as a miniature inquisition to decide upon ; the literature to be read by an enlightened community, and laid upon the table of a public reading room (supported by • special taxation J •' The voice of the people is the voice of God,"and our voices will be raised against such unwarrantable insult and tyranny. Such bold an intellectual productions as the Rationalist and Literator are as twoedged swords m the ranks of Orthodoxy hewing right and left, and despoiling their position. The power granted, the Dames would once word our] round tho stake ; enveloping both the authors and their productions. To meet the exijiaoiis of the case, it will ba propasi

to open the Lyceum on Sunday after, noons, for the benefit of all who may feel inclined to spend a profitable hour m perusal of the papers mentioned and also other literature of a nature calculated to advance Rationalism, and give assistance to those who may. be m the transition state. A Lyceum for the young, is a step of vital importance, and must receive our earnest and immediate attention. In Dunedin between three and four hundred children meat at the Lyceum, and treat progress has taken place m the work of promulgating general knowledge, and liberal dd«»as whereby the happiness of the rising generation is insured against the attacks of orthodoxy. In closing our first annual report, we. are. jpleased.tp inform the members and others interested, Tnat Mr Chas. Bradlaugh M .P. . jwUreery shortly arrive m pur e6fony, r 4t f isTberefore proposed to take immediate and united action to give .a suitable and enthusiastic reception- 1 to one, who has after years of long arid- severe struggling,' embittered by the vilest persecution cruellest calnmnies, and gross misrepresentations, taken his seat triumphantly m an, English House of Commons. Ever will the blot remain on English history, that fair play was witliholderi from a British subject, because: that subject, possessed a' mind of 'his own, and advocated Intellectual liberty. . Let us unite and do honor to Chas. Bradlaugh, who has already made* his voice heard m Parliament, before benches crowded by members, and galleries packed with peers of the realm. His bitterest 'opponents have to bold-: their peace m his presence. In one week: alone, he gave notice to extend the Parliamentary suffrage to married women. He has demanded information concerning the alleged expenditure of : j>15,410 for telegrams during Sir H. jD.it Wolff's., mission to Egypt. He -j has taoled % «no tion asking for returns concerning market rights and tolls, as lie alleged that Country squires compelled poor people to pay unjust and unnecessary demands for which they received no benefit. He has presented a petition m f ayor of the Land Cultivation Bill. He has sent a notice to the Secretary of the Treasury for information concerning four annual votes, to the heirs of Sir Thos. Clarges, the Duke of Rutland, lhe Duchy of Lancastrr, and the Duke c± Norfolk. He has also a notice respecting the perpetual payment of J-6,870 per annum to the' Duke of Graf ton, and a perpetual payment of £19,000 to the Duke of Richmond. Is it any wonder that Chas. Bradlaugb, the poor man's friend, the friend of Liberty, but the enemy of hypocrisy and abuses, should have been persecuted and maligned. Let every member of this institution raise the Voice m honor of Chas. BradJaugh ; and the grand cause lie - has espoused. Let one and all join m practising the Golden Rule of the ancient sages : .As we would have others do to us, do we even Is&Hq them. Ever, bearing m mind that the world is our country, and to do good our religion. ' • ' Signed, T. R. Walton, President. ' T. Hall, Secretaiy. Sunday, May 30th, 1886.