General Artcles. MR BRIGHT'S LECTURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1382, 25 May 1878, Page 10

General Artcles. MR BRIGHT'S LECTURE.

Mr Charles Bright delivered a lecture on Sunday evening at the Princess Theatre on " Religious Shows." After reading some extracts from the sacred writings of the Buddhists, Jews, Greeks, Mahommedans, and Christians, Mr Bright argued that the uniform morality and beauty of these inspirations proved that our Heavenly Father had left no portion of His human family without evidence of Bis existence and of the after-life of mankind. All religions were based on these spiritual facts, and had for their essential object the advancement of worshippers. They had, however, been turned from this beneficent end to suit the requirements of the class termed priestß. People were persuaded that God was difficult of access ; that strange riteß, ceremonies, and beliefs were necessary before men could reach Him, and that the natural reason with which He had endowed them was an abomination to Him. Certain names were put forward as of magical efficacy. It was only through Moses, Buddha, Mahomet, or Christ that He could be approached. Hence, religious shows were got up, attendance on which was regarded as of more importance than a life of virtue and helpfulness. In Christendom the higher class of minds were discerning that genuine religion included the improvement of the race, not merely spiritually but morally, mentally, and physically likewise. All the faculties of man's expansive nature were godly when wisely exercised. The upholders of an outworn system of theology were, however, making strenuous efforts to retain their hold on the ignorant and superstitious, by means of religious Bhows and incantations. Men, earnest enough, but still, in his judgment mere showmen, travelled about, some with ribbons, pictures, crucifixes^ and other properties ; others only with imaginary paraphernalia, offering a magical conversion to all who would accept of their wares. These shows were well advertised beforehand, and when the "star" arrived there was a grand combination of all the local lights in the Bame line of business, with a view, if possible, to take heaven by storm, and cry "Lord, Lord !" to some purpoae. What would an earthly father think, if his great lubberly boy, instead of looking after his younger brothers and sisters, and making himself helpful about the premises, was perpetually calling on his name, telling him how fond ho was of him, and beseeching him for selfish favours? And could they suppose that their heavenly Father was to be cajoled by flattery, and gratified by noisy conjurations. Let them put the name of Lao-tse or Kong-fut-tse in the place of Christ, and they would understand at once what futile exhibitions these were ; and yet, for mere conjuring purposes, one name was as good as another. It was the life of Jesus aa an example that was valuable — the life of him who said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these, my brethren." After making an extract from the writings of Thomas Oarlyle, the leoturer concluded by saying that a religion was, through such inspirations, developing, which would cull the good and beautiful from all faiths, a religion of work, not belief — a religion inspired by the God of " now," not a God who had issued some enactments thousands of years ago in language so obscure that mankind had been quarrelling over their meaning, and cutting each other's throats about it, ever since. The God of the present through His living prophets was developing this practical, natural, and scientific religion, which would, in due time, lead men from selfishness to unselfishness, religious shows to reality.