WORK AT GREYMOUTH.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 5, 1 February 1884, Page 13

WORK AT GREYMOUTH.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREETIIOUGHT REVIEW. Sir, — Some of the “orthodox” here, not satisfied with their views being disseminated from half a dozen pulpits, have taken to publishing sermons ”in the daily paper, these sermons consisting of the usual diatribe against Truth-seeking or Frecthought. For instance, the believers in that natural faith have been stigmatised as blatant ignoramuses,” “whipped atheists,” &c. They also state that they (the orthodox) have been attempted to be crushed by an overwhelming array of scientistswho have only endeavored to teach common sensewho are considered by the orthodox to be the most unholy and unprincipled men in endeavoring to upset some of their pet theories ; but, thank God, their ranks are thinning, and orthodoxy has now come out of the fire doubly refined and strengthened, whilst the array of unbelievers are humbly begging pardon for the impious acts of writing or lecturing against “ bur hob/ religion.” To some of the Freethinkers of this town the audacity of such statements could not be allowed to pass unchallenged. An article was inserted in the same paper showing that Freethinkers were not the vile creatures that they were said to be ; that they were increasing daily ; and an attempt made to expose some of the obnoxious theories that we are commanded by the orthodox to observe, but which arc repugnant to intelligent men. Of course, exception has been taken to the article by -some of the orthodox ; the old spirit that condemned ‘ The Echo ’ for being admitted to the Public Reading Room has been aroused, and to prevent “ hatred and all uncharitableness ” from being indulged in, the editor of the paper has, I think, very properly refused to allow anymore “ sermons ”to appear in his paper. Of course, this has also the effect of closing his paper against the other side— at a loss, no doubt, as all appeared as advertisements —but the Freethinkers of Grcymouth have the satisfaction of knowing that they will not be further maligned under cover of a “ sermon,” and that some very objectionable theories will not be again presented to them in the columns of our daily paper. I think the gentlemen who had the “sermons” inserted thought they were doing good— they interpret the word —but in this they have made a serious mistake. They were not inserted to convert their own brethren—they have been converted already ; it must have been to convert the opposition. But surely they went the wrong way about it. Yours faithfully, Ax Agnostic. Greymouth, Jan. I, 1884.