SOWING THE SEED.

Freethought Review, Volume II, Issue 13, 1 October 1884, Page 11

SOWING THE SEED.

All who observe the tendency of public opinion must be convinced that Freethought is making rapid strides throughout New Zealand. Wherever one intelligent Freethinker takes up his abode, there are soon to be found in the neighbourhood a number who have forsaken their orthodox opinions. Without any seeming attempt at proselytising, a Freethinker may sow seed which will produce, in a short time, tenfold that of the aged tree whose blossoms it is his duty to shake to the ground. Personal experience has taught the writer that there is little difficulty in shaking the orthodoxy of a straightforward, inquiring man. Nothing is more convincing than the mere mention of scriptural absurdities, and the young convert will soon express himself as astounded at his own credulity in believing things which the slightest honest reasoning may show to be fallacious. No man whose assistance is to be of any

value to the cause will become a full-blown Freethinker all at once. With him it requires time to develop freedom of reason, and to shake himself free from the teachings with which he has been instilled from childhood. A chance remark on some ridiculous scriptural clause may prove to be valuable seed. It will set the man thinking, and one after another the difficulties and absurdities of the tenets of the Christian creed will crowd themselves upon him. He may not say much about it for a time, but his mind is at work the while. Presently, he will forego the “ inspiration ”of the Old Testament, and seriously state that it is a compilation of Jewish tradition, just like the mythological and traditional worship of other nations. He will have seen in this groundwork of the Christian religion inconsistencies, contradictions, instances of brutal cruelty, and barbarous legislation. But he still sticks to the New Testament. He cannot understand its compilation as a tale without any good foundation. The miracles, resurrection, alleged prophecies, and so on, are not to be put aside without inquiry. But how is the necessary information to be obtained The fact is, it is very scarce, and certainly not commonly within the reach of the people. In proof of this, I have delivered addresses in which I have dealt with the preexisting and parallel mythologies of other nations, and several of those present have afterwards asked me whether the statements made w r ere really true. This shows the interest which would be taken in the matter if Free thought literature -were only better available. By unassuming argument much work —and that of a substantial kind may be done. A clerical friend of mine was full of divine inspiration when I first met him. I referred him to several passages the very reverse of honourable or humane, and now lie says the Bible is only inspired where it says “ Thou shalt.” Thus the work is begun, and there is no saying when it will end —never. A man’s eyes once opened, he will himself soon advocate the cause, and, in turn, he will become the teacher of others. In other Avoids, he will in a short time prove a true Freethinker, whence have “ sprung eye-openers ”in all quarters. Thus the work goes on. One man speaks to another and sets him thinking ; the other takes it up and becomes a soldier in the cause; and so it grows day by day, till now, where but a few years ago a man hardly dare acknowledge himself a Freethinker, the cause has firm root, and its disciples have become the most honoured members of society. There is much yet to be done, but if every Freethinker be outspoken, and sow & little seed as he has the opportunity, that seed will soon develop itself, and will in turn drop new seed, till Freethinkers become as thick as the trees of a pine forest, and the cause of Liberty, Truth, and Light shall rejoice in the mighty hosts following in its train, whose banner is “ Onward to 'Victory !” till all the earth shall have forsaken her delusion, and man’s object in life is the welfare of his fellowman. E. A. H.