A VOICE FROM NEW SOUTH WALES.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 12, 1 September 1884, Page 12

A VOICE FROM NEW SOUTH WALES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREETHOUGHT REVIEW. Sir, —As an old New Zealander, I venture to send you a few notes for publication from New South Wales. In the first place I must congratulate the Freethinkers of New Zealand on possessing such an admirable paper as the ‘ Freethought Review,’ and I trust it will be the means of brushing away some of the old theological cobwebs. I notice with pleasure that Secular Associations have sprung into existence throughout New Zealand, and I have no doubt the time is not far distant when these Associations will command a great political power. I am also pleased to notice that our old friend Mr. Robert Stout is again elected for Dunedin. Freethought in New South Wales is going ahead. Sydney is possessed of two very able lecturers in Dr. Hughes and Mr. Walker. The orthodox party are feeling the pressure, as evidenced by a deputation which recently waited on the Premier from the * ‘ Christian Defence Association.” Only fancy an association of that kind ! It is a clear proof that the enemy is defeated. The deputation complained of Secularists taking money at the door (the old cry !), and also that Dr. Hughes was blasphemous. The Premier did not give the deputation much encouragement. As regards the blasphemy, it appears Dr. Hughes, in speaking of the Devil, called him “ Old Split Coot.” That of course is blasphemy. The Devil has got a great many different names ; he used to be called Old Beelzebub. This puts me in mind of an anecdote I once heard. An elderly lady one day met a parson she had not seen for a long time. Having passed the compliments of the season, the parson asked the old lady how her husband was. “He has been dead twelve months,” said the old lady, “and is now in ‘Beelzebub’s bosom.’” “You mean in Abraham’s bosom,” replied the parson. “ Well, perhaps so ; you know more about those great folks than Ido !”—I am, &c., J. Hopkins, Mount Victoria, Blue Mountains, N.S.W.