Progress.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 10, 1 July 1884, Page 5

Progress.

WANGANUI FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION.

MELBOURNE.

The lectures delivered by Mr. Charles Bright in many parts of New Zealand have caused the best impression. Mr. Bright is one of the most eloquent and cultured lecturers in the Australasian colonies. He is the very personification of courtesy and good feeling, not the least successful part of his work being due to the strong personal sympathy he excites in his audience. His lectures have rendered material service to the cause of Freethought.

A Wellington contemporary contains the following : " The Wellington Freethought Association appears to have made good progress during the short time it has been in existence. It was on the 21st May last year that, by an advertisement in the local newspapers, some twenty persons interested in Freethought principles assembled in a shop in Cuba Street, and then resolved to form what is now known as the Wellington Freethought Association. Premises were subsequently taken in Courtney Place, where the first meeting was held on the 17th June. It is now twelve months from that date, and the Association, finding that the membership had increased rapidly, and that public interest in Freethought matters is more aroused, have found it necessary to take larger and more commodious premises. They have, therefore, secured the lease of the Princess Theatre (late Salvation Barracks) for a term of three years, and intend to open the same next Sunday, the 15th instant, under the name of the Lyceum. As several well-known speakers intend to deliver addresses on this occasion, the opening ceremony will no doubt prove to be of an interesting nature. It must be gratifying to the members of the Association to know that their number now exceeds 100, and that they take possession of their new premises entirely free from debt. They possess a splendid library of some 500 volumes, containing some rare and valuable works, 200 of which were presented by an honorary member. The whole of the main hall of the theatre is fitted up with proper sitting accommodation, and the side-rooms are furnished as library, reading, committee, chess-room, &c. Amongst the belongings of the Association is an excellent piano, and a singing class has been formed in connection with the society.

WELLINGTON FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION. This letter was received too late for insertion in our last number:— en* . Tory Street, 22nd May, 1884. bra—bmce our last correspondence to you, the association here have been steadily progressing, our lectures being well attended and new members joining rapidly, some of them, I am happy to say, being Ladies. "" We were unable to communicate last month through pressure of business. I now have the pleasure to give you an epitome of our doings since the last report. On Sunday April 6th Mr Jardine gave us a lecture, the subject being "What must we do to be saved which drew a very large audience. The following Sunday the VVanganui Freethought Band gave us a few selections of music which were highly appreciated by the audience, and very kindly received by the association. The entertainment was preceded by a Reading from our President, and concluded with one by a member of the association. Sunday, April 20, our President gave us a very interesting reading—Professor Ball's "Glimpses into the corridor of Time." Mr Charles Bright lectured on Sunday, April 27, Subject:—A Reply to the Question, " what do you give us in its place ?" This was given under our auspices at the Theatre Royal, the house being rilled m every part. Two lectures on T. Paine and C. Bradlau<dit given at the Athenaeum on the Tuesday and Wednesday following were ably handled. I trust we shall see Mr Charles Bright here again before long, when we can give him a hearty reception in our new Premises, the Princess Theatre, Tory Street, which we are taking on lease for three years from Sunday the 9th June next. The concluding lecture of Charles Bright's was given on Sunday', May 4th " Spritualism, Occultism, and Science." This drew a very large audience, and the subject seems to have got a very strong hold here, circles having been formed in various parts of the city, and a Society constituted to investigate the phenomena. Sunday, May 11th, Mr. Grey gave us a lecture, "The Clergy and common sense." The following Sunday, Reading from Dickens by Mr. Cole; and yesterday Mr. Grey again, on Spiritualism and Epidemic Delusion." This gentleman handles his subjects very well, and bids fair to be a good lecturer. The lecture called forth much dis-

(Suasion, which was highly entertaining. As we shall be in our new premises in a fortnight's time, we intend to open the same with a large programme, when I will send a full report.

Yours truly,

W. Tvrell.

Sec. pro. tern. Wellington Frccthought Association.

June 20th, ISB4. Sir,—-I have to apologise to you for not sending in our last report in time, being new to the work—hence the omission, In our last communication we did not mention Mr Stout's lecture, but as I see you have reported it from the ' New Zealand Times ' we thank you kindly. Since then there has deen a little controversy on the subject, and the ' New Zealand Times' having closed the correspondence, Mr Stout has written to say, whether ou will be good enough to publish the enclosed, which I have just received from the editor of the ' New Zealand Times.' We closed our old premises in Courtney Place on the Bth instant, and took possession of the new on the 9th, and opened the same on the 15th, under the name of the Lyceum. We had the place very nicely decorated with flags and banners and a suitable number of good mottoes. The members having worked very hard to get the place ready and make it a success ; unfortunately for us it turned out very wet and cold, but I must say that the public and membership attendance was more than we expected, the place being very nearly full. We had addresses from Mr Chantrey Harris, Mr Robertson, a new and very promising member of ours, and Messrs Innis and Grey. I enclose you a report from the ' New Zealand Times.' We intend starting a Children's Lyceum class as soon as possible, having plenty of room for marching, &c. Next Sunday Mr Chantrey Harris will give us a lecture. We are deeply indebted to this gentleman, he having acted so liberally in our behalf, and our success being attributed a good deal to his very able reports in his paper ; we wish there were a few more like him. Yours truly, W. Tykell, Secretary. CANTERBURY FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION. Mr F. C. Hall, the honorary secretary of the abovenamed Association, kindly favours us with the following items : Christchurch, 17th June, 18S4, Sir, —Since my last the following lectures have been delivered on Sunday evenings :—lßth May, " The Religion of Humanity," by Mr E. M. Clissold. 25th May, " Why I seceded from Christianity," by an ex Roman Catholic. Ist June, " The Shades of London," by Mr F. Crook. Bth June, " Persons I have met," by Mr F. Crook. 15th June, "Colonel Ingersoll's Dying Creed," by Mr F. C. Hall. My opinion is that, although meetings like the above are very instructive, helping to keep Freethinkers together, ready to consider any subject affecting (even indirectly) Freethought, and besides producing a good feeling amongst members, yet there is nothing will repay the officers and leaders of different Freethought Associations for their trouble and pains like a Children's Lyceum. The licensing case I previously referred to is again adjourned to the 22nd instant. Yours faithfully, F. C. Hall, Hon. Sec. C.F.A. WAVERLEY FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION. The Secretary of the Waverley Association forwards the following particulars : Sir, The progress of our Association during the past month has been so far encouraging, six new members having joined. The monthly meetings have been well attended, at which original papers and readings from the most cogent writers and lecturers'bearing on religious and theological fallacies were selected, and, combined with unrestrained interchange of thought, quite a social and animated appearance is given to our Sunday gatherings. This is very different from the gloom that accompanies the dictations and threatenings in our rival temples. On the 18th. Certificates of Membership were issued. Recognising the assistance a Library will prove, a start in the direction has been made, and, as was anticipated, a number of those who at present refrain from directly joining the Association subscribe to the projected Library—and show a thirst for Freethought literature. We have been enabled to do this by the contributions of books by Members and the bountiful gifts of our earnest friend, "Blue Pencil," from whom papers, books, and leaflets have been received every week, for which we all tender our thanks. You might observe that I have adopted the new Calendar date as recommended by the National Liberal League in Congress taken from the 'Truth Seeker Almanack,' New York. Yours truly W. G. WIXCIICOMB, Secretary. Waverley, March E. M. 2, 84. J

AUCKLAND RATIONALISTIC ASSOCIATION. _ Mr. W. C. Dennes, Secretary of the above Association, has sent us the following report for the month of May : Sir,— my report of last month I have the pleasure of informing you that the Auckland Rationalistic Association has continued to progress very satisfactorily. We have added some twenty five new members, and the Association has got into more thorough working order. Our Sunday evening meetings are well attended, and have become much more orderly than at first, the larrikin element having been kept out to a great extent. We have just concluded an engagement with Mr. Chas. Bright of a course of three lectures, with very gratifying results, and added considerably to our funds as a consequence. In fact the Association was so well pleased both with the lectures themselves and the pecuniary result that they have engaged Mr. Bright to deliver a further course of three more, which doubtless will prove equally beneficial. I may add that the Association, by a unanimous vote, have agreed to join the New Zealand Freethought Federal Union, and adopted most of the Clauses in the report of the Conference of Freethinkers lately held in Duncdin. Mr. Bright, on Monday last, gave a lecture at Helensville, Kaipara, the first Freethought lecture that has been given in that district. Fully one half the entire adult population of the district were present. I think it quite likely that it will be followed up by some members of our Association occasionally going over there for a similar purpose. Hoping to have some further interesting reports to make next month, I am, &c.,

W. C. Dexnes, Hon. Sec. Auckland, May 20, ISS4.

_ Sir, —I regret my last communication was too late for insertion in your valuable journal. I thought it would be in time as it was posted about the 20th. I am pleased to inform you that the A. 11. A. is progressing very favorably. The recent visit of Mr Chas. Bright was quite an event and a success in every financially, to himself, and the Association, and the means of bringing quite a number of people to see the error of their ways and thus be led into a sphere of peace and harmony, and save their minds and bodies even if their souls are left to take care of themselves. In addition to the six lectures given for the Association in the Lome Street Hall, a debate between Mr Bright and Mr Ceo. A. Brown, of " conditional immortality," took place in the Theatre Loyal, lasting two nights, subject : "Is the Christianity of the New Testament Detrimental to Human Progress." Mr Bright in the affirmative, Mr Brown in the negative ; and, of course, as we Rationalists think, was a brilliant success on the part of Mr Bright. At least 1000 persons attended each evening's debate, and the utmost decorum was observed by everyone present , not a symptom of disturbance occurred ; and the hearty applause so very frequently displayed during the evenings was about equally distributed between the two disputants. The pecuniary results to each were highly gratifying to them, and by the liberality of Mr Bright the A.K.A. were enriched to the extent of £7, and to my knowledge several converts were made to Freethought, since become members. On Sunday last we had a lecture in our hall in Lome Street by a lady from the Thames who lectured under the nam do. plume of "Jenny Wren ;'' title of lecture : "Woman's Work and Destiny." It was a well-written paper, with many very pretty and somewhat poetical passages, but the lady, as>ome of the criticiscrs said, failed to shew how woman was to fulfil her destiny of reforming poor fallen man, without being, in the first instance, reformed herself. I think the lady somewhat mistook the leading characteristics of Rationalists, and would have been more at home on the platform before a Young Men's Christian Association. The permission to give such and similar lectures on our platform, and, by the way, to pay for them, goes to prove that we have some title to the term Freethinkers, and that we are somewhat different to our friends of the orthodox Church, who attack our Society from their pulpits without giving us the chance of a reply. In order to neutralise the effect of this policy several of our members attended St. Matthew's to hear what was said, and a very excellent lecture was given on Sunday last at Lome Street Hall by Mr Webbe. Our Christian friends, not satisfied with traducing us from their pulpits have gone still further and have had a slip printed which was taken from the ' Auckland Herald,' a copy of which I send you relating to Madame Lotti Wilmott, and which pamphlet they post a man to sell at the door of our Hall on a Sunday evening. The pi obablc effect of this will be that in retaliation we Rationalists will post one or more at every church door in Auckland to dispose of some of our best Freethought tracts. Yours faithfully, W. C. Dexnes, Hon. Sec. WOODVILLE FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION.

_ The following letter was received too late for insertion in last month's Review :

Sir,—l am very pleased to report that we have been making progress. The Methodist Minister, the Rev. Mr Worboys, met the President of our Association, and a very interesting discussion took place on the th May on the " Genuincss of the Scriptures." I believe there was more solid information brought before the people in that time than would have been gained by attending Church for a month. The debate was continued on the following Thursday. The President very ably replied.

Our ordinary meetings have been attended as well as usual, and numerous interesting papers have been read during the past month. Friend " Blue Pencil " still keeps us in mind, and we beg to thank him very heartily, Yours faithfully, Charles A. Bevan, Hon. Sec. W.F.A.

The following report of the work of the above Association for the past month has been handed to us by the Secretary, Mr. J. J. Buckrell:—

Wanganui, June 24, ISS4. Sir,—This month the Wanganui Freethought Association has been established a year, notwithstanding the prognostication of many, that it would not stand longer thau six months. I believe the animosity of the majority opposed to us here has abated somewhat, for several admit that Freethinkers and Freethought are not so bad as at times represented. On last Sunday week a member gave a lecture at our usual meeting on "Darwinism and Evolution." The lecturer dealt with the subject at considerable length, proving himself thoroughly master of the undertaking, whilst the audience listened throughout with marked attention. He dwelt _ largely upon the great change that had taken place in the scientific and theological world during the last ten years with regard to the Darwinian theory. At first, scientific men, as well as theologians of all shades of opinion, throughout the-whole of Europe and America, warred relentlessly not only against this theory, but against Darwin himself. A few short years, however, convinced his enemies of the truth of his writings, and now almost everyone .accepts the principles laid down by Darwin. In my opinion, this is the best and most interesting lecture we have had given amongst us. Those who were not present missed an intellectual treat seldom obtainable in Wanganui. 1 may state for the information of intending members that if they give in their names to any member of the Committee, they will be balloted for after the usual meetings every Sunday. The new quarter begins with the first Sunday in July. Yours faithfully, J. J. Buckrell, Secretary Wanganui Freethought Association.

The following letter from our Melbourne correspondent will be found interesting : Melbourne, June 10th, 1884. Wars and rumours of wars characterise our present position in Melbourne. There is every prospect of a battle with the Government over more than one question. As I before told you the Hall of Science is a licensed theatre ; it consequently comes under the law that forbids the opening of licensed houses on Sunday for any purpose, save with the special permission of the Crown. This permit was granted to us with certain conditions, one of which was that no direct charge be made for admission. This clause was the bone of contention. We claimed the right to make a charge, but not wishing to cause unnecessary hostility, endeavoured to effect a compromise by selling tickets during the week and taking up a collection among non-seatholders. This plan we found to succeed well, and that probably is the reason why they tried to stop it. The Government having no backbone of its own gave way to orthodox pressure, and wrote to the A.S.A. stating that unless we entirely abolished the charges they would withdraw the permit, We did not carry out their suggestion, however, excepting that a few back seats were allotted to those who refused to pay on entrance. But our generosity did not satisfy the Chief Secretary, for he sent a document formally withdrawing the permit, and forbidding us to open the hall on Sundays, with or without charge. The Executive of the A.S.A., on receipt of this letter, passed a motion determining to open it as usual on the following Sunday night, and they were unanimously supported in this by a general meeting of the Association held on Sunday afternoon. The lecture took place as usual, a special collection being taken up for the defence of the question should it reach the Law Courts. Two more lectures have been delivered there since, at each of which we rigidly adhered to the system of compelling every person on entering to pay for admission. Nothing has - come from it at present, with the exception of indignant paragraphs in the ' Daily Telegraph ’ calling attention to the fact that we are still holding meetings, contrary to the commands of the powers that be. But this is not our only struggle. We are expecting a prosecution for blasphemy. Mr Keep, the A.S.A. Secretary, has possession of a shop window in the offices of the Association, in which he exposes Freethought literature for sale. Our friend, the 1 Daily Telegraph,’ detailed to the public the horrible blasphemy that is there contained. Some copies of the ' Freethinker,’ illustrated with comic Bible sketches, was mentioned ; but the “ Comic Life of Christ," from the Christmas number of that journal was the chief cause of their pious horror. By continually questioning the right of the proprietor to exhibit a publication that obtained for its publishers imprisonment in Holloway Gaol, the ■ Telegraph' succeeded in inducing the Customs Department to make a raid upon the stock. Not only the " Freethinkers,” but all the English Freethought works that shop contained, were seized by the officials. They werfe offered a copy of the Bible, but they declined the kind offer. The Government are now in a difficulty, for after careful consideration they have decided that it is doubtful whether there are grounds for a prosecution ; and they are in ignorance what to do with the spoils. It is very likely, however, that there will be a prosecution, for they do not prosecute us for blasphemy, it is very

probable that we will prosecute them on another charge. There is strong feeling among Secularists that it is time we took a firm stand, both in this question and the one affecting our right to charge on Sundays. The present time is opportune for many reasons, chief of which is the presence of such a redoubtable champion as Mr Symes, who has the advantage of an intimate acquaintance with Charles Bradlaugh. The new Freethought paper, ' The Liberator,' under the editorship of Mr Symes, appeared on June Ist. It is a weekly journal of sixteen poges, the size of the ' National Reformer," and is published at threepence. The capital for the venture was furnished by the Liberator Publishing Company, who possess the printing plant. Two numbers have appeared to date, and have had a good circulation. In the event of a declaration of war it will probably be found very useful. W. C. A,

THE BLASPHEMY LAWS.

The following is the draft of the petition drawn up by the Council of the Freethought Federal Union. It is intended that each Association, as well as the Union, should petition Parliament against the introduction of any Blasphemy Laws : To the Honorable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives. The humble petition of the undersigned, being the Officebearers of the Association of Sheweth, - 1. That your petitioners have heard with extreme regret that it is proposed to enact, for the first time in New Zealand, Blasphemy Laws. 2. That the existence of such laws necessarily imply the existence of a State religion. 3. That hitherto it has not been deemed necessary for the good government of New Zealand that there should be any special religion recognised or supported by special laws of the Colony. 4. That if anything is said or published that tends to create a breach of the peace, oris libellous of any person, the existing laws are sufficient to punish the offender. 5. That as many of the ablest and best of the people of England have formed themselves into an Association to agitate for the repeal of all Blasphemy Laws, it seems anomalous that the Legislature of New Zealand should be asked to create offences against religion where there is no State religion. Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that your honorable House will take the foregoing into consideration, and refuse to enact any Blasphemy Laws. And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. The following formalities from the Standing Orders must be observed : "No printed or lithographic petition will be received if it contains any erasure or interlineation." " Every petition is to be signed at least by one person on each skin or sheet on which the petition is written, printed, or lithographed."' "No letters, affidavits, or other documents may be attached to any petition."