Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Reasoner and Theological Examiner, 1851, Vol. 11
How this is all to be done, will be told as opportunity Offers. More I have not now time to tell; but this I know, it must be done, and that the right work is being done, though partially. We are numerous enough for the work, and I ask' the earnest to help. W5 can give disquietude to Zion, which' is not what it pre tends to be, a kind, courteous, fairplay Zion, but a haughty, insolent, proud, de faming, contemptuous Zion. This is the only Zion that exists. The front Of the Church to us is relentless and vindictive. Be it so. Let us not act as children, and idly quarrel with all this. It is our fault if it continue so. We have the truth and the right on our side, and I pardon all who can treat us rudely. Why do we let them Why is not the name of Freethinker, or Sceptic, or Rationalist, or Atheist, as honourable a name as Christian? We have ourselves to thank if it is not. It sounds as well, and means as much that is sincere, and more that is publicly useful. We have indulged in considerable coasting about the enemy, now let each go to battle in some way or other. War on error ought to be as stern, as incessant, as diversified, and as glorious as war on men has been. The hand of fellowship and the word Of love give to all men, but show them at the same time how they miss truth and usefulness to which they might profitably attain. If we do not this, our profession of good will is a mere cant. While we say Freedom of Opinion is a power, and do not make a power Of it, the world laughs at us, and has a right to laugh; but it will cease to laugh when we come to make a power Of our Opinions. How gentle Holyoake is - too gentle for his work. He is a lamb who fights with wolves, ' is the exclamation Of many a critic Of our course, The truth is, 'i can never resent the rude speeches of Christians. I sit and wonder that these men dare be rude, and ask, Why is it? Respect cannot be had by asking for it it must be commanded, and that is to be effected only by action. It is of no use putting on the wolf in words, and playing the lamb in work. Every braggart can do this. We must reverse the order. The world is theirs who have a true pur pose, and the industry which never ceases to work for its realisation. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
