Mr Bradlaugh and the Freethinkers.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1180, 20 October 1882, Page 2

Mr Bradlaugh and the Freethinkers.

A short time ago a cable message mentioned a prosecution instituted against Mr Bradlaugh for blasphemous writing, and some correspondence ensued on the subject in the Auckland “Star.” If, however, the following extract from the letter of the London correspondent of the Melbourne “ Leader ” (a writer not entirely without freethought sympathies), fairly represents the character of the publication for which Mr Bradtaugh is being prosecuted, there can hardly be two opinions regarding the perfect juatifiableness of the proceedings ami the attrocity and utter wantonness of the offence. -The extract is as follows :—Within the past week or two a prosecution has been instituted against the intermiuablu Mr for publishing a series of blasphemous articles in a periodical Called the “Freethinker.” Mr Bradtaugh denies his connection with the paper, aud until a jury has decided against him he is entitled to have it assumed that he is innocent. But there is little doubt about the nature of the publication, though there may be as to the wisdom of bringing it from out of its previous obscurity by a public prosecution. In one number the Deity was represented in the form of au old ragman, lighting a fusee on the heel of his boot, and underneath was printed the Words—“ The Lord said let there be light, aud there was light.” Anything more shocking could scarcely be conceived, and the case falls well within the modern definition of blasphemy, viz., matter relating to God intended to wound the feelings of mankind. The Christchurch “Telograph,” commenting on the above says: “ Nor is this by any means au exceptional instance. We have the authority of a merchant of Christchurch for saying that tracts are published by the Freethought Society in this city of au equally ribald and offensive unture. From other trustworthy sources we learn that blasphemous publications have been distributed at the doors of places of public worship in Christchurch, and put into the hands of young boys.”