AUCKLAND RATIONALISTIC ASSOCIATION.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 5, 1 February 1884, Page 4

AUCKLAND RATIONALISTIC ASSOCIATION.

Mr. W. H. Webbe (the Hon. Secretary) lias kindly furnished us with the following particulars regarding the above Association : Auckland, January 18th, 1884. Sir, — Last Sunday evening, the 13th instant, avc held our “ first public meeting.” It was a greater success than was anticipated. The ‘ Star ’ report beingu. very fair one I enclose same, and should be glad if you could find space for its insertion “ The inaugural meeting of the Auckland Rationalistic Association was successfully held on Sunday evening in the Lornc-street Hall, which was crowded to the doors ; indeed, so great was the throng that extra forms had to be placed along the passages. Mr. A. Campbell, the President, occupied the chair, and delivered the inaugural address. In the course of his remarks he said that their Association traced its origin to Homan Catholicism, inasmuch as it belonged to one of the latest

developments of that eruption of manly and courageous free-thinking which brought about and consummated the Protestant Reformation. The local causes of the extension of Frecthought in New Zealand were situated at Dunedin, where through the energy and outspoken bravery of Mr. Robert Stout and a few other gentlemen, a powerful Association had been formed, through whose agency similar Associations had been established in Christchurch, Wellington, and Wanganui. Here the work of organisation had been actively initiated by Mr. W. H. Webbe, a gentleman, who had but recently arrived from England, where he was a member of the National Secular Society. The utmost success had attended his exertions, and, although only a month had elapsed since the first circular was issued, that crowded meeting gave promise of a prosperous career. Their arrangements were not yet quite settled. Committees had been appointed to undertake the formation of a literary and debating class for young men to meet on Sunday mornings, and of a Sunday school for children to be held in the afternoon, while the evening meetings would, for the present, consist of readings, debates, literary papers, and lectures and musical selections. Professor Cailliau and Mr. W. H. Webbe were engaged in the formation of a strong orchestra and choir, and they confidently expected to carry the undertaking to a triumphant success. He thought they could not do better than endow their Association with the secular advantages which all the Churches afforded their members, and this could best be done by mutual help and good organisation. Their objects were to inculcate the study of nature and of science, rather than of theology, and to practise and thus preach by their example, as well as by precept, the lessons of true morality. It should be one of their primary duties to pay 20s in the £, to discharge faithfully their duties as men and citizens, and to extend to others the freedom they claimed for themselves. He hoped they would be able to assist in filling up the so-called “bottomless pit ” with the devils, ogres, and superstitious fancies of theology, and in planting over it the tree of knowledge. After a laudatory reference to the liberal tone and spirit of the press of the city, the Chairman concluded by reading the rules and regulations of the Association, which were also those, as he explained, of the National Secular Association of London.—Mr. W. H. Webbe advocated aggressive Frecthought, accused the Churches of a woful lack of that charity and tolerance which they professed, and then entered upon a trenchant criticism of the Bible.—Mr. Geo. Clements, after commending to general attention The Fkeethougiit Review, and reading an extract from it, went on to point out that the so-called “wide-spreading of infidelity” which the clergy were so continually bewailing was nothing more or less than the diffusion of intelligence, -Mr. William Cooper counselled moderation and forbearance, deprecated any intolerance of tone or spirit towards the orthodox or their pastors, besides striking a parallel between the foundation of Christianity and the formation of that Association in the fact that both were inaugurated by thirteen men. In their ease, however, he thought they could claim the distinction that they had not a Judas amongst them.—Alternating with the speeches various musical selections and recitations were rendered, viz., a pianoforte duct from “ The Poet and Peasant ” by MissK. Campbell and Mr. W. H. Webbe ; as a pianoforte solo, fantasia on airs from “La Traviata ” ; reading, “The Bad Boy Tries to Convert the Infidel Boy,” Mr Gerald Dillon; as a duet for piano and violin, Boccherini’s pretty little Minuet, the Misses Cailliau ; recitation, “ Shamus O’Brien,” Mr. J. J. Kennedy. The musical selections were good, Mr. Dillon’s reading was highly amusing, and Mr. Kennedy’s was a first-class elocutionary treat, demonstrating the gentleman’s histrionic power. Mr. Cooper, in a eulogistic speech, moved a vote of thanks to Messrs Kennedy and Dillon, and it was passed with acclamation,”— ‘ Star.’ We have engaged the Lome Street Hall for two months, and in all probability the time will be extended to twelve months. We already number over one hundred members. The Christians have been sleeping, our Association has awakened them. Last night they convened a meeting to organise a Society to hunt up evidences to bolster up their worn-out creed. In my February letter I will report you account of month’s work. Yours faithfully, W. 11. Weihie, Hon. Secretary pro tan. We congratulate our Auckland friends on the auspicious commencement of their Association.