Drogress.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 12, 1 September 1884, Page 4

Drogress.

SUNDAY CONCERTS. The question of charging admission to the Sunday Concerts in Auckland, having been raised by the authorities, the President of the Auckland Rationalistic Society (Mr. A. Campbell) writes as follows : “ There is very considerable taste for music in this city, suburbs, and throughout the provincial district generally. Evidence of this faCt is found in the large trade in the sale of musical instruments and musical literature ; in the excellent patronage given to opera in the city and to local concerts throughout the country; in the introduction of musical instruments into church assemblies, and the competition between churches as to which shall produce the best musical attractions. It is well known that many attend churches solely to listen to the music, and by this class the music without the service, rather than with the service, is preferred. The Choral Society have with great spirit and liberality for several years given once a year a free treat of this kind, and on Sundays ; and on these occasions, though the Choral Hall had been twice as large, it would have been filled. So much for the capability of a large portion of the Auckland public to enjoy music without a religious service, Now for the payment of the music. We all know that a concert, whether on a Saturday or a Sunday, must be paid for by some party; and, although the members of the Choral Society can happily afford to be generous and give their concerts free, yet these concerts cost them much, and they might as well have made a charge ; and on each occasion they could easily have had at least fifty pounds, which, if their Society did not require, could have been disposed of amongst our charitable institutions. The question how payment should be made by the entertained at a Sunday concert seems to be one in which no Government has any call to interfere, and may safely be left for the entertainers and the entertained to settle between themselves. There are two modes of payment —the fixed charge and the voluntary collection. The fixed charge has the merit of being business-like. It places the entertainer and the entertained on an equal and reciprocal footing. The entertained pay for certain music, the music is supplied, the engagement between the parties is completed, and they are quits. In the voluntary collection method, the entertainers do their part, and then adopt the role of the mendicant and beg from the entertained a charity to keep them alive until the next occasion they may entertain them, and again beg for such charity as the entertained may dole out. Of course, you have seen a street musician grinding his tune or singing his song, and seen also his boy amongst the crowd collecting a few coins. This is exactly the position which is tried to be forced upon the promoters of Sunday concerts. Now, we all know the inbred meanness of

a large portion of our community—how unwilling they are to pay for anything they may get for nothing. We read every week the miserably small voluntary collections obtained at the Sunday evening Theatre services, and the same fact has leaked out with regard to Mr. Brown's services at the Opera House. With such people, who it appears can neither be coaxed nor shamed into paying, it is surely better to adopt the commercial system and make them pay for value received. It would be good teaching—practical teaching of manliness and honestyif every church and Sunday assembly adopted fixed charges. I have learned that at St. Patrick's Cathedral this method is

adopted, and I have not heard that it has been challenged by the police. Entertainments where a fixed charge is made are always more orderly than free entertainments, The beggarly crowd waiting to scramble for free crumbs are kept outside. Payment gives to the entertainment a value, and the man who is willing to pay has the sense to behave. The commotion caused by the concert of Messrs Hallifax and Dean would not have occurred had not Superintendent Thompson interfered and caused the fixed charge to be abandoned; him I do not blame, but those who

" egged " him on. I hope the legal difficulties which seem to beset Sunday concerts will soon be cleared up, and, if the difficulties are real, cleared away, for these concerts would be the supply of a want very much felt, and during the winter months several could be maintained in this city."

FREETHOUGHT IN NEW SOUTH WALES. An energetic and staunch Freethinker at Newcastle, N.S.W., to whom some Reviews were recently sent from New Plymouth, in a private letter to a friend under date 27th July, remarks : “There are some really good things in the Reviews you sent. I hope the issue is self-supporting. The proprietor and editor have both enterprise and ability of a superior order, and deserve success. In reference to Freethought here, there is no question of its progress. There are now between 600 and 700 shares in our new hall taken up and deposits received upon the same. The ground is secured on a ten years’ lease, with the option of purchase at upset price, £357. Building materials, stone, and timber are already on the ground, which will be used next week in the structure. Mr. Walker, of Sydney, has been here during this week giving two lecturesone at Wallsend, and the other, last night, at castle here.”

The same writer also mentions that he has sent to England for £io worth of Freethought literature, which he intends to offer for sale at the Sunday evening lectures when the new hall is opened. He adds emphatically" Progress must be made."

A FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION AT

STRATFORD. We have much pleasure in publishing the following communication, and hope we shall have to announce in our next number the accomplishment of the object — TO THE EDITOR OF THE EREE'ITIOUt!IIT REVIEW. Sir,— The enclosed clipping taken from a letter of the Taranaki ‘ Budget's’ Stratford Correspondent led to my writing the letter (herein enclosed) to the editor of that paper, with the view of encouraging my unknown colleague in Freethought, but as the columns were closed upon the subject, I have to request you to find room in the Review if possible for both clipping and letter. I remain, &c., Thos. G. Leech, Inglewood, Taranaki. (Paragraph referred to.) As a proof of the desire of the present generation for the acquisition of knowledge and truth, there is already a talk of forming a Freethought Association in the district, as there are many of the settlers holding advanced views who feel the want of a place of meeting where they can openly and freely discuss the facts and plain truths that science is daily laying before us, to the complete overthrow of the old superstitious dogmas, and I trust shortly to be able to report that the Association has been successfully formed. “ADVANCE STRATFORD.” TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREETHOUGHT REVIEW. Sir, —The establishment of a Freethought society at Stratford, as indicated by your Stratford and Ngaire correspondent in a letter to you dated 10th. inst., will be hailed with pleasure by many settlers round about Inglewood, who, as appears to be the case at Stratford, “ feel the want of a place of meeting” (“especially on Sunday ”) “ where they can openly and freely discuss the facts and plain truths that science is daily laying before us, to the complete overthrow of the old superstitious dogmas ” now rejected by thousands who formerly believed in them, not so much from choice as from chance, because they happened to be the dogmas of the country in which they were born. I with many others in this district shall anxiously look forward for the report which your correspondent trusts he will be able shortly to send, informing you of the successful formation of the aforesaid association i step of advancement, which I firmly believe will be followed by Inglewood and New Plymouth. Yours &c., Thos. G. Leech. Inglewood. MELBOURNE. Our Melbourne correspondent remits the following brief epitome of the month’s proceedings of the Association there : Debates are the order of the day, Shortly after the controversy between Mr. Symcs and the Rev. D. M. Berry, the Rev, Canon Potter opposed Mr. Symes for one evening on the proposition : Is Atheism or Christianity the more reasonable belief ? ” This, in reality, was not a debate at all, for the two half-hour speeches of the Canon’s were read from manuscript. After he had read them, Mr. Potter handed them to the reporter of the • Daily Telegraph,’

which paper published them verbatim, at the same time, with customary fairness, considerably condensing Mr. Symes’ portion. This discussion was followed up by another occupying two evenings, between Mr. Symes and E. G. Higg, M.D., the Government medical officer. The subjects discussed were — ‘‘ls Natural History, or Darwin’s or any other Materialistic Theory, a true Science ? ” on August 7th. ; and—“ Is Man a Reality in a Spiritual, or a Materialistic Sense?” on the Bth. The Doctor showed himself to be thoroughly at home when speaking on corporeal matters, but as soon as he attempted to deduce spiritualistic conclusions from them, he no more understood his own logic than did his hearers. In none of the debates that Mr. Symes has engaged in up to the present, has he met a foeman worthy of his steel. The one with Mr. Berry was the most successful, the other two being merely calculated to bring controversy into contempt. As a forlorn hope of bringing about a tussle with the Bishop, the A.S. A. have determined to write to that gentleman,'inviting him to meet their representative in the Melbourne Town Hall, the entire proceeds to be devoted to the Austin Hospital. Should he decline, as is most probable, it is their intention to insert the challenge as an advertisement in the daily papers. This month occurs the second anniversary of the Australian Secular Association. When it was organised by Mr. Thomas Walker, assisted by a few enthusiastic Freethinkers, our opponents prophesied its utter collapse in three months. Instead of that taking place, however, Ave have reached our second birthday without any disease. In fact, we are so healthy, and have grown so fast, that Ave now number nearly as many as our older brother, the Young Men’s Christian Association. Our latest move is the introduction of weekly suburban lectures. One has already been delivered with fair success at Richmond. The next takes place this week at Collmgwood. Previous to the lecture there will be an entertainment by members of the A.S.A., assisted by the excellent band of the association. As there will be free admission to the hall, with collection, it is anticipated that many of the orthodox will take advantage of the opportunity to listen to our case, and probably will also accept the invitation to combat Mr, Symes’ views, W. C. A. August nth, 1884.

WOODVILLE FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION.

The Secretary of the Woodville Association forwards the following particulars : Sir, —The report for the month is not of a very inspiring nature. Owing to the severe cold and wet weather we have experienced, our attendances have been small — so much so that we have decided temporarily to hold our meetings once a month. Our members are scattered over a large district, but though we have a fair number of members living within a stone’s throw of our meeting house, they will not attend, but prefer to go to Church at the same time as we hold our meetings, and burlesque Christianity. The same members are ever ready to help with their purse, but for some reason or other hardly ever attend, and thereby discourage in a great degree those few who do. The various papers for the month have all been read by our brave President, and seem to have been so convincing that no discussion followed. The attendance of the public has been very good, considering the weather ; and if the whole of the members would only pull together, and be a little more aggressive in their work, we should soon make good progress. There is, however, some talk of reorganization. Some of the members wish to have music and singing instead of discussions on theological subjects. We are promised a debate on the first Sunday in September between a Mr. Rendle and our President. I am, &v.. f Geo. Hutchins, Secretary W.F.A. P.S. — I had quite forgot to mention that Mr. Hugo had been on a visit here, lecturing upon Physiognomy, and that on Sunday evening, the 17th, he gave a lecture against Spiritualism, at which I was unable to be present, but which I am told was a very good one. It may say that the people here, Religionists and non-Religionists, have been holding circles for the investigation of Spiritualism. In fact, it has almost become a craze, nearly everyone you meet either giving or asking to be given some information with regard to the phenomena. From what I can see and learn of it, lam persuaded that it is perfectly useless to mankind for good, even suppos ing it to be true. Its only good feature is that at present the majority of its adherents are anti-Christians, but a host of the lesser lights are striving to get the Churches to take it up as a last resource against what they term the “ Infidelity of the Age.”

AUCKLAND RATIONALISTIC ASSOCIATION. The Secretary of the above Association again favours us with a resume of the month’s work, which will be found interesting. He writes : Sir, At the time of writing my last report we had just commenced a short engagement with Mr. Isaac Selby to lecture for us | on Sunday evenings, and all was going on swimmingly, our receipts answering the expectations of the lecturer and the Association, when, lo and behold ! the Argus-eyed Inspector of Police suddenly discovered that during the reign of that righteous old mediocre, George 111., an Act was passed to prevent charging for admission to Sunday amusementsnot to prevent the amusement, but the method of getting paid for the same ; for we are allowed to meet in the usual manner, have the same class of entertainment, including lecture and debate, but must substitute the voluntary mode of

collection in place of charging a small fee for admission. The line and cry arose from the fact that Dumping's Opera Troupe advertised a sacred concert to be given on a Sunday. They were threatened with a prosecution if they made a charge. The result was that the doors of the Opera House were thrown open, or, I might more properly say, forced open, and the public entered and occupied indiscriminately both dress circle and body of the building without paying anything, except a few unfortunates who had, previous to the threatened prosecution, purchased reserved seat tickets, and they as a rule did not get in at all. The liberality of the assembled multitude was tested as they left the building by having a hat held up before them, in which they were requested to deposit any spare cash they might have about them, and the total amount collected from some 1,700 people was about £2O, a few shankless buttons, and a lady's partial set of teeth, dropped doubtless in the excitement of the hour. As the Act does not mention the word lecture—only amusements and debatesour Association determined to make the usual charge during Mr. Selby's engagement, and last Sunday again charged the 1/- at the doors, and the result was a considerable increase over the previous Sunday's receipts, which was upon the voluntary principle. But the meeting was hardly as pleasant as usual, being shorn of its social character, although the lecture was most excellent and gave every satisfaction. You are by this time probably aware that we intend to test the question of the applicability of the above-mentioned Act of George 111. to this colony as soon as we are assured of the material support of kindred societies, believing, as our new Premier telegraphs us, that it is not in force, adding the encouraging words " No surrender," to which I add "Nil Desperandum."

In addition to the somewhat exciting occurrences mentioned above, there has been a debate between Mr. Selby and Mr. John Buchannan, the latter gentleman representing the Christian Evidence Society, the President of ■which Society is the Bishop of this Diocese: subject —“ Is the Mosaic account of Creation at variance with Science.” Mr. Selby, affirmative ; Mr. J. Buchanan, negative. The supporters of Mr. J. B. must have had very little faith in their champion, or in their cause, as very few indeed shewed up, the audience being almost entirely composed of Rationalists. They so far neglected him as not to furnish him with a lamp, water, and glass, which omission probably accounted in some measure for his continually floundering about in the dark as though he was very much fogged,—l am, &c., W. C. Dennes, Hon. Sec. Auckland, Aug. 15, 1884.

WAVERLEY FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION. The Secretary of the Waverley Association forwards the following particulars : Sir, Notwithstanding the inclement weather, our regular meetings have been well attended ; readings by the several members being much approved of. We have altered our hour of meeting from 3 p.m. to 7 pan., as this gives our country members a better chance of attendance. Our Association has joined the N.Z. Federal Association, Dunedin. This is much better than remaining an isolated part of the body. The old cry of “ unity is strength ” will apply here. Our Vice-President, when in Wanganui, having chosen several works bearing on our principles, the Association unanimously approved of the choice of works made, thus forming the nucleus of what we hope to be a very strong Library. I see in the ‘ Chronicle ’ of the 22nd, that the Salvationists state they have received a letter from a Freethinker of Waverley inviting them to lay seige to their town. The Freethinkers cannot be responsible for what one member may choose to do, but the Association itself has nothing to do with the invitation, and I question very much if the name signed is on the books of the Association at all. Yours truly, W. G. WIXCHCOMB, Secretary. Waverley, August 23. E. M. 2, 84.

CANTERBURY FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION. We have to acknowledge the following items from Mr. F. C. Hall, Secretary of the above Association:— Sir. —The following sermons were delivered to very good congregations : July 20, “Spiritualism in its Relation to Science,” by Mr. Chas. Bright ; July 27, “ Infidelity,” by Ivo ; Aug. 3, an address by Mr. B. Billcliff; Aug. 10, Ghosts, Witches, Apparitions” (being the first of two lectures attacking Spiritualism), by Ivo. On the 25th ult. an invitation ball took place at the Hall, which was got up for the young folk attending our Sunday evening services. Two or three pages of the lives of the Holy Fathers are read each Sunday. Some of us Infidels begin to take quite an interest in the old scoundrels. An ex-member of ours sent us from the top of Blue Mountains, N.S.W., a P. 0.0. for one pound towards the funds, with the wish that he could have made it for £SO. A few days ago, per s.s. Ruapehu, we sent home a frozen sheep addressed to Chas. Bradlaugh, as a reminder that there are Freethinkers in this colony. Yours, &c., F. C. Hall, Sec. C.F.A.

WELLINGTON FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION. The following notes from the Secretary of the Wellington Association will be read with interest:— Sir, — Since my last report I am glad to say our membership has increased rapidly. Our roll now numbers 130, new members joining every week. The fact of our having taken larger premises, with comfortable seating accommodation, has brought this about. We bid fair to be a very strong Association in time. I now give you a list of our lectures for the last five weeks, which have been well attended July 10, “Modern Civilisation,” by Mr. Inniss ; July 20, “ Conquest of Granada,” a poem, recited by our President ; Aug. 10, “ Shadow's of London,” by Mr. Crook, a member of the Christchurch Frcethought Association ; and another by him yesterday on “ Money and Misery.” These lectures were given to crowded audiences, and the lecturer was very impressive in his description of the vice and misery of modern Babylon, and pictured the rich man, with his hordes of gold, being elbowed by vice and misery in that vast city. I presume he is from Loudon, hence his knowledge of the different hovels of wretchedness he had visited, of which he gave us a very graphic account. If this gentleman should call at Wanganui (which I believe he intends to), I should strongly advise the Wanganui Frcethought Association to engage him for two or more lectures. His terms are very liberal, and ho will work entirely with what the Association thinks best. Our members are very gratified in the return of Messrs. Ballance and Stout. With these gentlemen in the Cabinet, we trust the bigots will not be quite so spiteful to Freethinkers, but confess there arc as good men amongst them as the pious orthodox. 'We held our second social gathering last "Wednesday, and invited Messrs. Stout and Ballance, who, unfortunately, could not come. It was a great success. Again thanking you for reports, I am, &c. , W. Tyrrell, Hon, Sec. Wellington, Aug. IS, 1884.

WANGANUI FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION.

Mr. Buckrell has supplied the following report for the month :

Sir,Since my last usual report you are aware we have had the misfortune to lose the services of Mr. Jno, Ballance, who is attending his Parliamentary duties in Wellington. There can be no doubt his absence is a serious loss to us ; yet, I am pleased to notice, members are taking more interest, and have expressed their determination to do all in their power to sustain the usually high character of our meetings, Last Sunday, Mr. Jardine, late Secretary of the Wellington Association, gave us a lecture on “ London, and its Slums.” The two preceding Sundays, Mr. Donovan gave us a lecture in two parts, entitled " Why don’t God kill the Devil ?” The lecturer, commencing with Adam and Eve, touched briefly on the circumstances attending the killing of Abel by Cain, Noah and the deluge, life of David, and the crucifixion. Then he drew the attention of the audience to the religious wars that had taken place from the time of Constantine to the present, maintaining and showing that the Devil, during all these great calamities, was really at the bottom of them all, and there seemed no good reason whatever why God did not kill him before he had time to do all the mischief he had done in the world. Mr. Donovan has a large store of historical knowledge, which, combined with his national wit and quaint way of expression, makes his lectures highly instructive and amusing. Our meetings still continue to be a source of attraction, which is largely due to the very excellent music provided for us every Sunday by Mr. King and his band. Trusting my next communication will be longer and more explicit, I remain, &c., J. J. Buckrell, Sec. W.F.A.

THE PROSECUTION OF MR. CHARLES BRADLAUGH. We take from the National Reformer the following account of the answers of the jury to the questions submitted, in the action against Mr. Bradlaugh for voting illegally : —■ The Lord Chief Justice said: Now, gentlemen, here are the questions you will he good enough to answer in writing. No doubt you would like to retire. The Foreman of the Jury : If your lordship pleases. The Court adjourned at 1.50. The Jury returned into court at 2.30, and retired to consider their verdict. The Jury returned into court at 5.5. The Jury handed a paper to his lordship. The Lord Chief Justice: The first question is—“ Was the Speaker, in fact, standing in front of the chair or sitting in the chair at the time when the defendant made and subscribed the oath ?”

The answer is, " Sitting." The next question is, " If you think the Speaker was sitting, in point of fact, then, was the sitting for the purpose of preparing or correcting notes which he was about to use in addressing the defendant, or for any other purpose, and, if for any other purpose, can you say for what purpose?" The jury answer, " Sitting for the purpose of preparing or correcting notes which he was about to address to the defendant."

Then, thirdly, " Had the Speaker resumed his seat, and, if he had, had he resumed it for the purpose of allowing the defendant to make and subscribe the oath ?" The jury answer, " No." Fourthly, " Have the Crown satisfied you that upon the nth February, 1884, the defendant had no belief in a Supreme Being ?" The jury say, "We unanimously agree that the defendant had, upon the nth February, 1884, no belief in a Supreme Being." Then, fifthly, " Have the Crown satisfied you that the defendant, upon the nth February, 1884, was a person upon whose conscience an oath, as an oath, had no binding force ?" Answer, " Yes, we are satisfied."

Then “ Had the House of Commons full cognisance and notice of the said matters by reason of the avowal of the defendant ?” Answer, “ Yes.” “Did the defendant take and subscribe the oath in the sense explained according to the course and practice of Parliament ?” The answer is, “ Not according to the full practice of Parliament.” Then, “Generally, did the defendant take and subscribe the oath ?” Answer “ Not as an oath.” (Thar Lordships consulted.) Upon those findings, Mr Attorney, I think it is not necessary to have any further consideration of the case—it appears to me that we are bound to enter the verdict for the Crown.