MR. JOSEPH SYMES.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 11, 1 August 1884, Page 8

MR. JOSEPH SYMES.

We publish as a supplement to our present number a lithograph portrait of Mr. Joseph Symes, the distinguished F'reethought Lecturer, of Melbourne, taken from a photograph. The artist has not failed to reproduce all the faithfulness of photography in his drawing, which will be at once recognised by the personal friends of the original. We published an extract from the autobiography of Mr. Symes in our June number, to which we refer our readers. Mr. Symes occupied a foremost position on the Freethought platform in England, and was chosen to proceed to Melbourne from his special fitness for the work of organisation and lecturing, Since his arrival, he has created a most favorable impression. His energy and his industry know no bounds. He may be too aggressive for some, but his hits arc characterised by fairness and the absence of personality. Mr. Symes has had his first public discussion, his opponent being an Anglican clergyman, and the subject, “ The Resurrection of Christ.” Mr. Symes’s special power in debate consists in his perfect knowledge of the different theological systems. He was educated for the Wesleyan Ministry, and gradually woke up to the hollowness of the system he set out to uphold. Mr. Symes has a wide range of scientific knowledge, and his science lectures are not the least interesting and important features of his mission. Like all good Freethinkers, Mr. Symes is a man of unimpeachable private character, and of a noble and generous disposition.