Progress.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 2, 1 November 1883, Page 5

Progress.

WANGANUI. The past month’s work of the Freethought Association of this town has been exceptionally good, and the Committee are to be congratulated. On Sunday, the 30th ult, Mr. G. Grant lectured on “ Proof of the Divine Origin and Truth of Christianity.” The weather was very bad, and Mr Grant came a considerable distance to fulfil his promise. There was, however, a fine audience awaiting him. The lecturer’s diction was elegant, his enunciation vigorous, and his theological knowledge thorough. It was however an exemplification of a clever advocate with a very bad case, and the lecture lacked argumentative power. The “ proof ” was absent.

On Sunday, the 7th inst., Mr. Rawson discoursed concerning "The Relation of Astronomy and Religion," with illustrations. Several large sketches, drawn to scale, facilitated the lecturer in bringing to the mind of his audience the crude notions of the ancients, and the extreme ignorance of the Christian Fathers in astronomical knowledge. Mr. Rawson had evidently taken great pains with his lecture, and was successful in setting forth many instructive ideas. On Sunday, the 14th inst., Mr. T. T. Youle, in a very able paper, criticised the lecture, "Proof of the Divine Origin and Truth of Christianity." A summary will be given next month. On Sunday, the 21st inst., " Ivo " delivered his first lecture in Wanganui. We congratulate the party on having an advocate so well qualified to advance the cause on the platform as Ivo undoubtedly is. There is a sustained reasoning force in all Ivo's lectures which is not, we think, to be surpassed by the veterans of a thousand fights. His language is happily chosen, the ideas run in natural sequence, and he can exhaust a subject without for a moment becoming monotonous. There is a flexibility of voice and manner which easily adapts itself to the various moods of the subject. We understand Ivo's experience on the platform has been but short, yet he is already facile princeps in the art of logical exposition before a popular audience.

The Secretary has kindly furnished us with the following particulars concerning the Association :

Wanganui, 25th October, 1883. Sir,—During the past month I am pleased to report continued progress in the cause of Freethought in Wanganui, notwithstanding the fact that the ministers of religion are using every means in their power calculated to stem the tide of " infidelity." Anti-Freethought lectures have been given under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association upon " Bible Difficulties." The vague, clumsy, and generally poor way the lecturer treated the subject has been the means of considerably strengthening our cause. I trust the same gentleman will give many more of his lectures.

A benevolent fund has been set on foot by our Association, the object being to give assistance when required, without regard to creed or race.

The celebrated Freethought lecturer " Ivo ” is now lecturing here. His first lecture on Sunday last, “Is the Biblical Account of the Fall of Man Consonant with Human Reason,” was well attended, the lecturer handling his subject with considerable ability. Before concluding, I must congratulate you upon the great success that has attended the publication of your first number. Critics are unanimous in their opinions that it is the best Freethought paper in the Australasian Colonies. For my part. I know of no paper equal to it in style and matter (devoted to freethought). Wishing you continued success, I remain, yours faithfully, J. J. Buckeell, Hon. Sec. &