Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1871-04-22 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

MOSES AND WS DETRACTORS.  Itammous toleration hind freedom of thought and action have become so universal, both in this country and in our numerous colonial possessions, that we scarcely expected to be treated in these days With a case of blasphemy. Paramatta, one of the oldest Australian settlements, and about sixteen miles from Sidney, has been the scene of a curious religious controversy, which culminated in a sort of theological fight between several preachers and a sculptor named Jones. Whatever may be the faith of this Mr Jones—if he has any faith at all he places no credence in the Mosaic record, and while denouncing the Old Testament in general, took occasion to characterise the great Israelitish leader as "a robber and a murderer," "a cruel old wretch," and similar unhallowed epithets. The Bible, in Jones's eyes, is an "immoral book, not fit to be put into the hands of women and children." For these blasphemous expressions, Jones was arraigned before the District Court and a jury, and on the evidence of two local preachers, was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of £lOO, and to be imprisoned for two years, with hard labour. William Lorando Jones has now had his head "cropped," according to the strict rules of prison discipline, and has also commeneed his course of hard labour, surronnded by thieves, robbers, and doubtless, also, blasphemers. Punishment is always inflicted with the salutary intention of "preventing others from committing like offences in time coming." Jones's sentence was made severe with a view "to check infidelity." The judge and jury were doubtless animated with the purest m )fives in thus condemning the misguided sculptor; but we think they allowed their religious zeal to outrun their discretion. What will be  the consequence if the Sydney judgment is made a precedent in other colonial settlements I Every one with a tinge of Colenso's scepticism as to the exact; number of the children of Israel, may be seized; tried, and condemned as a blasphemer, in order to check infidelity. If such things can be done with impunity in the colonies, the persecution mania may extend to other countries. Where, then, will be the safety of Musselmen, Hiudoos, or Hottentots? If they speak disrespectfully of our religious beliefs, they may be immured in gaols, and treated as the vilest felons. And further, if we are to go this length, we must go a bit farther. Is "God's peculiar people" to be persecuted by British Protestants because they continue to deny the advent of Christ, and treat the New Testament with about as little respect as the Australian Sculptor treated the Pentateuch. Then, again, there are minor heresies and so many sub-divisions of beliefs. So long as Protestant judges and juries are in a majority, Roman Catholics may dread the fate of Mr Jones; while Protestant Jones's, judges and juries, would be all sent to prison, if not to perdition, by the Roman Catholics. It is deeply to be lamented that such a trial should ever have taken place, and that a penalty of such a severe nature was inflicted. As has already been proved, so far from the punishment being the means of checking infidelity, everywhere the strongest feelings are expressed on behalf of Jones, and an effort is being made to effect his release. As Mr Pillans, one of the Sidney Unitarian pastors, said :—" Why am I at liber.y, while Mr Jones is in gaol ?" When we hear the actual death of Christ denied in some of our churches on Sundays, what may we expect in colonial settlements ? "Let him who is without sin among you, cast the first stone," is an injunction which now seems to be wholly disregarded, for the greatest hypocrites are sure to be foremost in the heresy. hunting ranks. Interpreted by the strictest letter of the law, and in accordance with the Sydney verdict, a good many English clergymen—and a sprinkling of Scotch Presbyterian ministers, too—would be found sadly lacking in respect either for the Pentateuch, the Decalo,gue, the inspiration of the Book of Job, and other matters generally accepted as literally true. Yet, although few will condone the act of the Sydney sculptor, many condemn the severity of his punishment.  Local and District Intelligence.