Progress.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 6, 1 March 1884, Page 5

Progress.

A society in connection with the Dunedin Freethought Association, to be known as the Lyceum Literary and Debating Society, was formed on the 17th January, when rules were agreed upon and office-bearers appointed. Mr. W. Dickson was elected president, Mr. W. Hood vice-president; Messrs Merry, Newell, Jackson, and Lister committeemen : and Mr. John Stone secretary and treasurer. The meetings are to be held weekly on Thursday evenings, in the committee-room of the Lyceum Hall.

The following from the ‘ Lyttelton Times’ announces “ Ivo’s” first platform appearance in Christchurch:—

Last night the lecturer who has abopted the name of “ Ivo” addressed a large number in the Freethought Hall on the subject of "Christianity." From the announcement that the address was to be given in the Freethought Hall it can readily be understood that the subject was treated from a non-Christian point of view. As a matter of fact the lecture was a slightly modified version of one of three discourses given by the same gentleman in Wellington, and hit with much vigour at the inconsistencies between the theories and practice of so-called Christians, and at the diversity of sects. It would be impossible to give a fair epitome of the address, which lasted an hour and a half, and a full report would occupy too great a space. Suffice it to say that “ Ivo” won an attractive hearing and

many tokens of assent, and that his arguments, if often sarcastic, were forcibly put and were founded on facts, for which he gave chapter and verse. The President of the Freethought Association was in the chair, and announced that " Ivo” would lecture on " Scepticism” on Sunday next.

The following letter will be read with great

interest:—

A Freethought Association for Oamaru.

(To the Editor Oamaru Mail.)

Sir, —Will you kindly permit me to correct a slight error that appears to have crept into the reports of my lecture furnished by the Oamaru papers on Saturday. The reports stated that those interested in Freethought were requested to remain behind after the lecture with the view of forming the nucleus of a Freethought Association in Oamaru, but that the appeal met with no response. As this portion of the report has been carefully copied into the Dunedin papers, I think it necessary to state that the invitation was given at the request of some Oamaru Freethinkers ; that a few ladies and gentlemen did remain behind on Friday evening, and that a meeting of these was held at a private house on the following Sunday. At that meeting it was determined to take steps towards forming a Freethought Association in this city, and in view of this it was resolved that —notably Mr. Bright and Mr. Stout — be invited to give addresses on Freethought subjects. From what I know of the members of the Committee that has been formed, and from the opinions that I have since heard expressed by a number of Freethinkers in Oamaru, I have no doubt that before long the advocates of freedom of thought will have the satisfaction of knowing that a vigorous Freethought Association has been established in this important centre.—l am, &c, T. Cheyne Farnie.

A SUGGESTION. One of the objects of the forthcoming Conference of Freethought Associations ought to be to determine the best means of holding property. We mean briefly that the General Council should have the legal right of owning land, receiving bequests, gifts, etc. The Associations should seek to have a freehold site for a Lyceum in every town and township of the colony, and in each case, to prevent abuse, the land ought to be vested in the general body. Of course the management of a Hall or Lyceum built on the land, where a Freethought Association existed, would be local. To the friends then the appeal would go forth : obtain now the sites of the Lyceums of the future.

BLENHEIM. We hope soon to see an Association established in Blenheim, where there are many brave Freethinkers who have the courage of their opinions. We take this opportunity of thanking a very old friend and Freethinker whom we knew in Wellington for his kindness in looking after the interests of the Review.

PICTON FREETHOUGHT' ASSOCIATION. The Picton friends have organised their Association, and have very enjoyable meetings on Sunday evenings. The President, Captain Macneil, writes : " We are hopeful that the forthcoming Conference in Dunedin will have the result of encouraging others to join us, so that with increased numbers, and perhaps abilities, we may be able to forward the grand cause, the emanicipation of the world from priestcraft, tyranny, and falsehood."

The President mentions that the Association is not strong enough to send delegates to Dunedin. We would suggest that the Association might appoint two delegates to represent it who are resident in Dunedin—say Mr. Stout and Mr. Bright.

WOODVILLE FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION. We received the following pleasing intelligence just too late for the January number :

A fairly well attended meeting was held in the Schoolroom on Friday evening for the purpose of forming a Freethought Association. Mr. Haggen was voted tq the chair, and on the motion of Mr. Bevan it was resolved to form an Association, to be called the Woodville Freethought Association. Ten gentlemen signed their names in the room as intending members, and it was staled that a number of others in the.district had signified their

intention of joining. The following office-bearers were elected : President, Mr. E. A, Haggen ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. Chas. A. Bevan and T. Hyde ; Treasurer, Mr. T. F. Fountaine ; Secretary, Mr. Bevan ; the Committee to consist of the foregoing gentlemen, with Mr. Eno Hutchins, making six in all. It was resolved that the Committee should draw up rules, etc., and submit them to a subsequent meeting for adoption, Mr. Bevan having courteously placed a room at the disposal of the Committee for meeting purposes. Since the above was in type we have received the following further communication from Mr. Bevan, Secretary of the newly formed Association ; Sir, —I am happy to inform you that the first meeting for forming the above Association took place on the 25th ult., when ten names were handed in as members. Officers and a Committee were then elected. The Association decided to adopt the rules of “ Constitution” as published in the Review of November Ist with one amendment. The meeting was then adjourned to enable the Committee to draw up By-laws and submit them to the adjourned general meeting of Members. In the meantime we were very pleasantly surprised by receiving a large quantity of books and pamphlets from “ Blue Pencil” for the Association. Next some friend forwarded a copy of “ The Colonist” from Nelson containing an account of the “ Freethought Navy.” Mr. Hyde, a member, also forwarded a quantity of books and pamphlets for the Association, which gift was followed up with some more from “ Blue Pencil,” and I must say that the thorough way in which the latter has used his “ pencil" through every book and pamphlet, marking all that he thinks most useful, testifies to his great earnestness in the cause. The adjourned general meeting was held on the 15th inst., when the By-laws were submitted and passed. The best thanks of this Association to the generous donors of Freethought literature was also passed, with orders for its insertion in my report to the Review. Fortunately for us Mr. W. A. Ellis of “ Chicago” was passing through, and he kindly attended our meeting and gave us an address. Twenty-two Members are now on our roll, which looks like progress. It was decided to hold our first monthly meeting on Sunday the 2nd of March, when our President Mr. E. A. liaggen will give us a Presidential address. Yours truly, Charles A Bevan,

PI on. Sec. W. F. A,