Notes & Queries

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 1, 1 October 1883, Page 6

Notes & Queries

INTRODUCTORY, The conductors of this Journal have resolved upon a department under the above head. It is necessary for us to explain the purposes it is intended to serve. It no doubt often happens that many wish to be enlightened on some point or other, yet have not the time nor opportunity, perhaps, to obtain the desired information. And, on the other hand, it is also as certain that an equal number are not able to give an answer at once to any particular inquiry. This being the case, the purpose intended to be served is to bring these two classes—those who want to know, and those who do know—together, by the simple procedure of a note with the query clearly stated, and by a note giving the required answer. Scientific, literary, and historical questions we expect to be the most prominent, though the line need not be rigidly drawn at these. In local history, for instance, there is an immense amount of good historical material which is treasured up by mere tradition, and which tends to die out gradually. And upon other subjects, many persons not gifted with the power of doing much in the way of expressing their notions may be able, in a short paragraph, to put forward a really original and seminal idea, which, falling haply on good soil, will produce abundantly.

QUERIES. I.—ln the course of his lecture before the "Wanganui Freethought Association, anent " Theistic and Anti-Theistic Theories,'" Mr. G. Grant quoted from D'Holbach's (?) " System of Nature " to the effect that that writer denies the divine existence. I have carefully read that work—especially Chapters 4 and 5, Part 11., wherein he so ably examines the proofs of existence of the divinity as given by Descartes, Malebranche, Clark, Newton, &c. —And I have been unable to discover anything so unphilosophical.—Y. 2.—Can any of your readers briefly state the distinctive teachings of Mohammedanism respecting a future existence"? I recently read that the Koran refuses all hope of reaching heaven to the female portion of mankind ! —Enquirer. 3.—Some years ago Charles Southwell came to New Zealand. I have been informed that this once able and fearless worker in the Freethought movement in England joined the Wesleyans of this Colony, became a preacher, and also edited a paper in connection with that body. Any particulars will greatly oblige--A Freethinker. 4.—What is Odylism Tyro. s.—Dr. William B. Carpenter, who has considered Mesmerism, Spiritualism, etc., historically and scientifically, over forty years, is said to have at last acknowledged the truth of the phenomena. If this is a fact, can any of your readers give Dr. Carpenter's reasons.—T.