Progress.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 8, 1 May 1884, Page 6

Progress.

CANTERBURY FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION. We have to thank the Secretary of the above Association (Mr. F. C. Hall) for the following items Christchurch, April 19th. 1884. Sir, Besides discussions, music, and recitations, we have been favored with the following lectures since my last : —Mr. Biltcliffon “Force and Matter;” Mr. Thomas Williams, on “ Some reminiscences." illustrated by a Panorama; Mr. Maclean, on “ What is Religion;" Mr. Biltcliff, a “Reply to Rev Green’s Lecture on Freethought.” Our Lyceum is prospering, and children and teachers work well together. I think these children when they grow up will be unwilling to pay people for telling them the old. old story. The Christchurch Papers have been ridiculing the Salvation Army doings here. The white neckties are getting quite cross at seeing their Incomes fall off through General Booth cutting down the price, and retailing blood and hell at million prices. To my mind the Army is doing some good in shifting peoples’ ideas and causing religion and respectability each to stand on its own bottom A Christchurch shoemaker advertises “ Soles mended while you wait." I don’t know why, but this gave me the idea of deathbed conversions. Sir William Fox lectured here on Freethinkers, and got about ton times more heareis than if he had advertised to lecture on Christians. I believe he was not so cold-blooded in his expressions as that follower of the meek and lowly Jesusthe Rev. Gillies. . Mr - Charles Bright arrived here from Dunedin on the 14th. instant and was met by several members of our Association Mr' Bright will lecture at the Freethought Hall on Sunday fyothi Monday and Tuesday next. Does it not strike your readers that if religion alone can teach morals the Christians, after all, don’t particularly strive in morality. Yours faithfully, F. C. Hall, Secretary, C.F.A,

AUCKLAND RATIONALISTIC SOCIETY. Mr. W. C. Dewes, the Hon. Secretary, kindly sends us the following : „ 0 . „ , x , , Auckland, April 20, 1884. Sir,— Since the last report made by our former Secretary we have been steadily progressing, and now the Association numbers 139 members. So far we have depended entirely upcn local assistance for our Sunday evening lectures and readings, in spite of which we have almost uniformly filled the Lome Street Hall, which holds some 400 or 500, with an apparently interested and friendly body of people. We are organising a choir to furnish us with music in the shape of glees, &c., which when perfected will no doubt add very much to the pleasure of Sunday evening meetings. Our discussion class is fairly attended, but up to the present we have done little or nothing in the way of Sunday school business. We are waiting for information as to the best method of procedure— perhaps you can- kindly give us a hint or two ? At a

meeting of the Association last Sunday, a resolution of thanks was passed to Blue Pencil " for a number of valuable pamphlets. We are expecting Mr. Charles Bright to give two week-day and one Sunday lecture in the course of about three weeks. Trusting to have some interesting communication for your next number, I am, &c,, W. C. Dewes, Hon. Secretary.

WAVERLEY FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION. We have received the following from the Secretary of this Association : Waverley, April 23rd, 1884. Sir,— l wrote you last month that arrangements had been made for holding a meeting for the purpose of establishing a Freethought Association at Waverley. I am pleased now to be able to state that the movement has been successful. The first meeting formed themselves into a committee to obtain information, and report to a public meeting on the 13th. This they did, when it was decided to organise a Society at once. Mr. W. Symes was elected President, and Messrs Mason and Winchcomb Vice-Presidents, the former to act as Secretary and Treasurer, A committee of seven was also elected, and they were empowered to prepare a constitution and by-laws, to be submitted to a general meeting on Sunday, the 20th instant. It was also decided to ask Mr. Ballance, of Wanganui, to give an address on that date. On Sunday, the 20th, the meeting was well attended, over 30 persons being present. The President took the chair, and in a few appropriate words introduced Mr, Ballance, who was present in consequence of an invitation from the Society. The subject chosen by the speaker was the Methods and objects of Freethought," and it is hardly necessary for me to say that in his hands full justice was done to the subject. The audience were attentive and appreciative, as they frequently evinced during the address, which occupied an hour and a quarter. At the conclusion, the President moved a hearty vote of thanks, which was warmly responded to. The committee then brought down their report, recommending the constitution and by-laws that appeared in the November number of the Review, with slight alterations to suit circumstances. These were adopted by the members, and the Association may now be considered fairly launched, seeing that our members are very much scattered we intend starting a fund for the purpose of providing a library, independent of the subscription to the Association, which has been fixed at 2s 6d per quarter, payable in advance. By this means we shall be in a position to procure a number of books immediately. Meetings of the members will be held on every Sunday at 3 p.m. On behalf of the Association I have much pleasure in ackowledging a number of papers and a pamphlet from “ Blue Pencil." Among the papeis, a late number of the Bee Journal was present, and we have been speculating as to the meaning intended to be conveyed by the donor. Does he hope we shall be as busy as that valuable insect ? Or does he suppose that those interesting themselves in the Freethought movement are generally interested in scientific matters? If the latter he has certainly hit the right nail on the head, as a number of our members are already engaged in this interesting study, and bee culture will probably be an industry of some importance in this district. Hoping that other districts will follow our example and organise, and that the movement will still flourish, I remain, yours truly, H. F. Mason, Hon. Secretary.

WOODVILLE FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION. The Secretary furnishes the following report for the past month : . Woodville, April 25th, 18S4, Sir,— Since last writing you the reverend gentlemen of the district have been respectfully invited to come and address us with view to a debate, but up to the present none have accepted. On Good Friday an entertainment was given at the Methodist Church, and it was advertised that no charge would be made, but a good collection was expected ! One speaker attributed the " cause of Freethinkers’ existence to their slight knowledge of the Bible, and as an example spoke of a “ Freethinker" who had asked him the simple question. From whom was Cain’s wife descended ? while had he only read his Bible he would have known that Adam lived 800 years after, and had sons and daughters, and consequently, Mr, Editor, must have married his own sister. There were a good few Freethinkers present, and notes were taken of the different speeches made, which gave us plenty to discuss at our meeting on the following Sunday ; also to issue polite invitations to three prominent speakers to come and explain themselves, and show us our error, but up to the present they have not accepted. Last Sunday we went to Pahiatua, about 14 miles away, and our President gave the residents there the benefit of his address, entitled, " Past, present, and Future.” which appeared to be appreciated. We had a most enjoyable day, for some of the members hired a coach, and one wicked man took his camera, and obtained a group to celebrate the inauguration of Freethought into the Pahiatua district. Yours truly, Chas. A. Bevan, Hon, Secretary W.F.A.