AFFIRMATION IN LIEU OF OATH.

Freethought Review, Volume II, Issue 14, 1 November 1884, Page 12

AFFIRMATION IN LIEU OF OATH.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ‘ KIIRETHOUGHT REVIEW.’ Sir, — The following extract is from the ‘ South Australian Weekly Chronicle’ of Saturday, Sept. 13 : “ Rather an unusual occurrence took place at the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning, during the hearing of the divorce suit Macßride v. Mac Bride and Schultze. The Rev. Henry Hewitt was called to give evidence as to the marriage of the petitioner and respondent, and, instead of taking the usual oath, the rev. gentleman, to the surprise of a great many in Court, elected to make an affirmation.” ’I bis is the “ thin end of the wedge ” with a vengeance, and one must admire the moral courage of the rev. gentleman in thus expressing his conscientious opinions 'under what must have been, to a man in his position, very trying circumstances. I wonder how many of his class in New Zealand you could find to be equally honest !—Yours, &e., Freethinker. Masterton, Wairarapa, Oct. 12, 1884.