INGLEWOOD.

Freethought Review, Volume II, Issue 20, 1 May 1885, Page 6

INGLEWOOD.

Our Inglewood correspondent favours us with the following : On Sunday, the 12th instant, Mr. AY. A. Ellis, President of the New Zealand Psychological Society, delivered his celebrated lecture, " The Religion of the Future " to a very attentive and appreciative audience. He showed that religion arose in the form of worship from the fears of mankind mainly, also from feelings of gratitude to such objects as the sun when they felt its warmth. He traced the ancient myths relating to Horns, Osiris, &c., and after speaking of religion, as viewed under various phases, he dwelt on the grand scientific religion of the future, based upon science and ascertained facts only, and spoke of the time when man shall no longer be guided by the foolish tales and legends handed down to us from the childhood of mankind, under the protection of a priesthood, by whom they were promoted and fostered, partly from their own ignorance and superstition and partly from interested motives. I am not quoting Mr Ellis's exact words, but merely giving the outline of his very interesting lecture. At the Alexandra Hall, New Plymouth, Mr. Ellis has also delivered the lecture referred to, and the local Press speak very highly of him, also of his powers of reading the state of the human frame by his psyehoinetrical powers.

I am sorry to say that a good-looking lot of lads and lasses calling themselves The Salvation Army," are living, without working, upon the people of our neighbourhood. What with Roman Catholic Priests here in Taranaki and a big Monastery being erected, the Church of England, and the various dissenting bodies who are one and all duly represented by preachers and places of worship, I should think that national bankruptcy, or something approaching it must be the final result of the prodigious religious expenses. The landed property and funds of all these barnacles keep ever increasing, as property, once given to them, or finding its way into their claws is always duly invested, and never comes back to the public any more. It seems to me that all countries will gradually, through the services of these preachers and priests, get into the state France was in at the time of the Revolution, that is, one third of the land in possession of the priests and clergy. Oh ! society, you are an easy lemon to squeeze, if a man is, or body of men aro only dishonest enough to squeeze you.— Yours, &c, Tuos Drake. April 21st, 1885.