AUCKLAND SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. (From the Auckland "Star.") January 18.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 34, 26 January 1884, Page 3

AUCKLAND SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. (From the Auckland "Star.") January 18.

A mketino of gentlemen convened for the purpose of forming a society having for its object the diffusion of information on the evidences of Christianity was held in the .social room of the Young Men's Christian Association building last night. Between 20 and 30 gentlemen responded to the advertisement calling tho meeting. The Ye». Archdeacon Maunsell having been voted to the chair, called upon Mr F. G. Ewington, the convener of the meeting, to state his proposals. Mr Ewington referred to the existence of similar .societies elsewhere, explained their mode of operation, and said he had had the formation of such an association in Auckland in his contemplation for a long time. Some people thought the movement had originated in the flutter caused by the recent establishment in this city of a Freothought Society, but this was not the case, for at the last annual meeting of the Young Men's Chi'istian Association the matter had been broached by him. This plan was to disseminate Christian knowledge by the distribution, gratis or at a low price, of pamphlets, books, &c, bearing on the evidences of Christianity, the re-deiivery of discourses such as those by Dr. Magee, the delivery of lectures and special sermons on particular occasions, the publication by advertisement or otherwise in the newspapers of suitable extracts, &c, and the engagement of such men as the Rev. •Joseph Cook, when they happened to visit the colony, to give lectures or take up debates, if combatants were forthcoming. Such a society was much needed. Infidelity was spreading, and men's minds were unsettled, chiefly through lack of knowledge. Young men of about 20 thought Christianity was a played-out thing, and sneered at those who attempted to answer men like Ingersoll. The Society proposed would constitute the best means of counteracting this. He would concludo with the words of the poet :-— " Let knowledge grow from more to more, But more of reverence in us dwell ; That mind and soul according well. May make one music us before," Mr John Buchanan, being called upon by the Chairman, said in fidelity — and he meant no disrespect to Freethinkers by the use of tho term — was rampant and common, but it was so owing to the ignorance of Freethinkers. In conversations with infidels, he had found that they actually knew very little concerning the matters they rejected. Hr was not at all alarmed at the spread of infidelity, though he felt sorry. For his part, he was very much obliged to Freethinkers for the assistance their opposition had tendered to the progress of Christianity. He remembered the foundation, by (!. J. Holyoake in 1840, of that phase of infidelity then termed Secularism, and the result of that had been in Scotland increased activity in the Church, in one district, indeed, to such an extent that ten new churches were established within a very short time. The latest and most dangerous form of scepticism was Agnosticism, the prevalence of which was largely attributable to Darwin, Huxley, and Tyndall. While lie acknowledged the scientific acquirements of these men he considered that they had no right to .speak of religion in the way they did. As to Darwin's great theory of evolution, and the statement frequently made that scientific men generally accepted it, he might .say that Dr J. W. Bennett, Professor Stokes, and a third gentleman had carefully inquired into it, and reported that there was not a tittle of evidence in its favour. He moved, " That a society be formed with the object of disseminating knowledge viith regard to -the evidences of Christianity, to be called the Auckland Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge." This was duly seconded and carried, and j the constitution of the Society, involving a distinct acceptance of Christianity and a belief in the Bible as the inspired woxxl of God, was adopted. Mr Ewington then submitted a code of rules. Some discussion arose as to the one providing that Commitee and other meetings should be opened and closed with prayer. Mr J. Brame wished to know whether this would apply to discussions and debates. — Mr Ewington thought it would be inadvisable to open such meetings with praye 1 . — Mr Fell held that all meetings should be opened and closed in this way. The debates and discussions would be under the auspices of the Society, and he considered that they should be subject to the rule. He therefore moved to that effect.- Mr R. B. Shalders seconded. — Mr Buchanan objected that it would bo unfair to the other side.— Mr Ewington said that it would be discourteous to the opposition. It would be like flaunting a i-ed rag in the face of a bull. Their opponent might be a man who scouted the idea of the efficacy of prayer, and by ! enforcing this rule they would compel him to take part in a ceremony in which he had no faith. — Mr Fell urged his motion, and was supported by Mr Brame, who thought they could not hope for much from a man who would not consent to his opponent peri forming what,he considered to be a duty. — The Rev. J. Bates thought the terms of debate would have to be settled by both sides. — Mr F. Cherry disapproved ot the motion. The discussion would be as much under the auspices of the sceptics as under those of the Society, and therefore they would have to be consulted as to the proceedings. j — One gentleman urged that they should not consider the enemy at all, but simply do their duty to God. — Ultimately the rule was altered so as to provide that all ordinary meetings of the Society and the Committee should be opened and closed with prayer. The election of officers resulted as follows :— President, Mr F. Battley ; Treasurer, Mr J. L. Wilson ; Secretary, Mr F. G. Ewington ; Committee — Rev. W. Calder, and Messrs T. Buddie, J, Chambers, Theo. Cooper, jun., and J. Buchanan. The Rev. J. Bates engaged in prayer, and the meeting separated after a number of those present had subscribed their names to the constitution and rules.