RELIGIOUS DISPUTATION.

Colonist, Volume IX, Issue 939, 25 September 1866, Page 3

RELIGIOUS DISPUTATION.

Some preliminary interest was felt in the publication of this pamphlet, * in consequence of the advertising of a subsequent correspondence, in which one of the parties thereto threatened legal pains and penalties—actions for damages and what not-against the other, if he should dare to put his original intention into execution, and publish the correspondence, to the publication of which the objector (Mr. Sunle}') had previously given his consent, and afterwards repeated the same by setting forth stipulations and conditions under which publication was to take place, and to which the publisher (Mr. Butler) at once consented.

Perhaps a more wretched exhibition of pamphleteering, than this book contains, it would be difficult to meet with, even amidst the much "washy" literature that finds an ephemeral existence in the pamphleteering field. It is just to Mr. Sunley to say, that he did not begin the dispute ; and as for the doctrinal points, the questions of creed, of belief or scepticism, which appear in the correspondence, it is not our vocation, nor are these columns the proper place in which to discuss points of this kind ; but we may be permitted to question the propriety of a teacher of children, in a correspondence which he knew was to be published, boldly avowing his disbelief in, and throwing very cutting sarcasm at the creed which ninetenths of the parents of those children adopt, and in which they desire to see their sons and daughters Gained. We should be sorry to witness any attempt to lessen the right of private judgment, or limit unfettered thought, but we leave it to Mr. Sunley to consider whether, in the peculiar circumstances, an avowal and sneers of the kind his letters contain were seemly or wise.

As for Mr. Butler, he certainly is not the proper champion to go into the arena of religious discussion, on what—for want of a better term—may be called " philosophical principles," for this is what he appears to aspire to. Here are his philosophic and psychcological notions respecting soul and spirit, which will no doubt be new to most people. After describing body as being the material " element" of existence which animal and vegetablenature alike possesses, he offers the following remarkable observations respecting soul and spirit:—

" Soul is that spiritual essence which allies the brute in nature to man, and perishes when the body dies, and which alone distinguishes it from the vegetable creation; [!] it is the seat of the lower passions and appetites, and affections, and imenlighteiied volition. Spirit is the highest element of man's constitution; it is the essence which is the scat of reason, conscience, taste, love, devotion, and all the higher attributes that ennoble and dignify the nature of man. It is only this that elevates man above the inferior animals, that makes him other than a brute."

Mr. Sunley very properly objects to this wonderful definition, and declines to go on further in the discussion; threatening to suspend his attacks on Christianity (which 'twere well he had done altogether) until Mr. Butler modifies his opinions and acknowledges his error in this definition. Mr. Butler declines, although the correspondence actually arose out of this definition at which Mr. Sunley had sneered when it was enunciated in public by Mr. Butler. The latter, in an explanatory note at the end of the hrochwe, makes matters worse, for ho says : —

" The vegetable, the lowest in the chain, is composed of body only; the animal, of body and soul; man, of body, soul, and spirit; angels, of body and spirit; and God, of spirit only.".

And then he tells the rather obvious truth that " man cannot become a vegetable or a god." But even that might be traversed, and were we inclined to quote scripture with Mr. Butler, we might allude to what is s?aid in Genesis respecting the eating of the forbidden fruit, " They shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." On the other hand there are men whose existence is only vegetation advanced a step by the powers of locomotion. Mr. Butler's definition of vegetable, as possessing "body only," ia not the most complete; for if it is the vegetable which possesses "body only," what becomes of that organised life which it e.lso possesses; or in what respect, if Mr. Butler's definition were adopted, does it differ from inorganic matter, seeing that a stone possesses " body only ?"

Then there is a painful metaphysical mist into which Mr. Butler has enveloped himself, for he first says: —the italics are his own— " the truth must ever exist without fact ;" and on the same page " Truth cannot be manufactured ; —facts themselves give the true ideas."

Here is one of the most remarkable assertions in the book, and for what end it is made we do not pretend to say; and again, the italics are Mr. Butler's—

"Perhaps you think it ridiculous that the Lord should speak face to face to Moses, and to let him see his back parts, when God, as spirit, has no parts. But view Him as the Creator of all things, and you will see that he is God of all parts ; and as man was brought forth late in creation, might he not be considered as one of His hack parts."

It had been much better for all parties had this correspondence never been written, or at least had it been put in the fire within twenty-four hours of its completion. Mr. Butler's advocacy of the Christian creed on metaphysical grounds is not happy; and we hope Mr. Sunley sees the mistake of his taking the position of a sneering assailant of that creed. Discussions like this are not: for edification, and, judging by the pamphlet, few will envy the position of either party thereto.

• Truth versus Scepticism: A Written Discussion between the Publisher, Mr. T. Bctier, and Mr. It. M. SuiOiEY, of Eichmond. Published by Thomas Buxlee, 1866.

Wu havo to cowoot an error In our report of what liovy said on the Judge passing.sentence of death oil. him; He was reported to have said with-strongpro-testation that he left the bar an innocent man. What he did say, was : " I am happy to inform you that in my own mind and my own heart, and by the God I worship, I leave the bar innocent of the murder of this man," meaning Mathieu, for whose miu'der alone the men were tried and condemned.

The Hangman's Office at a Premium. —It is stated that no fewer than fifteen applications for the office of finisher of the law on the persons of the condemned men have been made to the authorities.

As Prisoner Kelly was getting his irons replaced, he said to the blacksmith, " I hope the people don't believe lam guilty. I am innocent; I would rob a man, but never kill one."

The West Wan&anui Coal Company.—The work of tin's Company, which was recently registered, according to law, is progressing. Mr. Pachtcn, the general manager, lias just returned from the mines, and he reports that when he left there were four vessels loading cargo, and one day last week, a small schooner laden with coal successfully beat out of the harbor in the face of a strong south-west wind. New arrangements have been made, and a larger force of men has been arranged for. Meanwhile, by the aid of a small staff of five miners, and of the merely preliminary works alone, as much as fifteen tons of coal is being produced daily. Of the vessels lying in West Wanganui harbor, one (the Rambler) is loading for Nelson, and will be here in the course of a few days; two are loading for Wanganui (in Wellington province) ; and two have gone to Auckland, coal laden. The steamer Albion, expected to-day, on her last voyage to Melbourne took eighty tons of this coal on board. The Ramblor will bring about 100 tons to Nelson.

An Important Sheep and Cattle Case— Strach"an v. Ponsonby.—ln the Winter Sittings of tee Supreme Court, an action, at the instance of Mr. Strachan, sheep-owner, of Marlborough, was brought against Mr. G-ordon Ponsonby, captain of the steamer Claud Hamilton, for £1607 of damages for loss caused by the non-delivery of a shipment of sheep and cattle put on board the steamer at Picton for delivery at Hokitika. Plaintiff and defendant were, as the evidence showed, partners in the transaction, and defendant had an interest, arising from the fact of his advancing plaintiff money for the purchase of the sheep. But Captain Ponsonby left the vessel at Nelson for another steamer, and it was under Captain Fitzsimons, who succeeded him, that the alleged cause of damage arose. The jury (a special one) returned a verdict giving damages of £1300, Avith certain important points-reserved. Last Thursday, his Honor Judge Johnston gave judgment. His Honor said that defendant, in respect to some of the terms, had gone beyond the scope of his authority as captain, and was really a partner in the transaction. No doubt the verdict showed that there was a right on the part of the plaintiff to something in the name of damages, which might be ascertainable by calculation ; but, without going further into the particulars, it would be sufficient to give judgment as in the case of a nonsuit, on the ground that the cause of action was not made out as alleged in the declaration. Judgment accordingly.

Pictures son the Victoria:* Exhibition.—-It appears that Nelson will be very fairly represented in the fine arts department of the Melbourne Exhibition, in the quality of the productions of our local artists, although the quantity may not be considerable. Mr. E. Harris has contributed an oil painting o: much merit, the subject being a view on the Waiwakaio stream, Taranaki, with Mount Egmont in tlio distance. The picture is of large size, allowing considerable scope for representing the pleasing and varied scenery of this locality. The sunny banks, with the contrasting shady' nooks ; the varying light and shade ; the natural glint of the stream, have all been managed most effectively by Mi-. Harris ; the water painting being trasparently and very artistically treated. Mount Egmont occupies the extreme distance of the picture, and gives force to the work, being well defined yet not unduly prominent; and the thick forest land in front, gently tipped with the morning sunlight, gives warmth and softness, and contrasts pleasingly with the depth of tone in portions of the foreground. The picture is altogether the bc3fc we have seen from Mr. Harris's painstaking pencil. Mr. F. Nairn sends some very creditable water-color pictures of bush scenery and sea-shores of New Zealand. Mr. Gully has produced two striking watercolor pictures—"Storm" and "Calm." The first named represents the nigged mountain peaks of the dividing range between Nelson and Marlborough, the storm-clouds piling themselves together, and almost obscuring some of the mountain ridges, while others retain some of the more genial rays of light which still faintly linger on their rugged slopes. Dashes of strong lights, here and there, give much decision and force to the picture, and the storm-clouds have been so well handled—so ponderously formed, yet transparently painted, that, as you look, fancy could easily supply the noisy patter of the rain-drops, the soughing of the wind, and the scream of the solitary bird that is struggling through the increasing storm drift. The other picture, " Calm," is, of course, strong!--- in contrast with the last-named ; and advantage has been taken of the lake scenery of this island to represent one of the most majestically peaceful scenes that could well be chosen. The view depicts the western side of the Southern Alps, whose snowy masses are exquisitely defined against the liquid sky ; while the rich tints of the verdure, and accurately defined foliage in the foreground, complete a charming picture. These productions form exhibits that are very creditable to the powers of our local artists, and we believe they will meet with considerable appreciation, although exposed to a larger field of criticism and competition than has occiutccl on any previous display.

The Bendigo Independent says : —" In proof of the numbers who are leaving for the New Zealand goldfields, "vve may state that twenty-seven accounts were closed at the Sandhurst Savings Bank on the 3rd instant. Most of those who so withdrew their money said they had been for a long time out of employment, and eonsecpaently were compelled to leave."

NEWSFArEKS and Jurymen.—Perhaps it may not be deemed too personal, if we enter a mild protest against the summoning of persons connected with the press to serve on juries for the trial of prisoners. The inconvenience to the public which such a proceeding may create, whether the persons summoned be the conductors of a newspaper, or simply workmen, is very considerable, as it must interfere with the periodical supply of that intelligence with which the public expect to be furnished. On the Special Jury, summoned last week, were two newspaper proprietors, one of whom was in the ballot, and, it is true, was challenged; but as challenges cannot always be counted on, it would be well to give to the press the same privilege as is given to medical men, and in consideration of public services, accord them the same exemption as these enjoy.

The French in the Pacific.—"We take the following from the Cape Argus, of July 13 : —" The French man-of-war Fulton, which arrived in Algoa Bay last week, is from New Caledonia via Bourbon, where she had been cruising for several months. New Caledonia is an island in the Pacific Ocean, near Australia and New Zealand, belonging to the French, who are colonizing it in much the same way as was Australia in its. early days by the British, viz., as a convict settlement. The natives in many respects resemble those of New Zealand, being of warlike disposition, and also cannibals. Whilst the vessel was cruising round the island^ a boat was despatched into one of the rivers, out of sight of the ship, for some purpose, and, not returning, much anxiety was felt respecting it. The steamer then went up the river in search, and upon a small island discovered remains which left no possibility of doubt that the unfortunate seamen had been captured, and then killed and eaten by the barbarous natives. She then proceeded further inland, and some natives who were taken admitted that the conjectures of the ship's crew were correct; that they had come suddenly upon the boat's crew, taken them to an island, there killed them by splitting their skulls with axes, and had then cooked and eaten them. They further stated that one of the unfortunates, being an elderly man, required much stewing ere he became fit to eat. The officers and crew of the ship were much exasperated at these horrible details, and proceeded to take summary vengeance upon the savages by killing every one they came in contact with, and then setting fire to their villages. In addition to those who were burned, no less than 150 were either shot dead or bayoneted."

Duty on Spieits.—The amount of duty which the Government proposes to raise on spirits manufactured in the colony, under the Distillation Ordnance, is Bs. a gallon, being two-thirds of the amount levied on imported spirits,