year. Probably twice that sum is spent on the
sky-pilots of all denominations, which is more than is received in wages
by all the miners in Great Britain. It is a fair calculation that the
average sky-pilot is six times better paid than the average miner. Yet
the latter works hard in the bowels of the earth to provide real
coals for real consumers, while the former is occupied in open air and
daylight in damping down the imaginary fires of an imaginary hell. It is
easy to see which is the more useful functionary, just as it is easy to
see which is the better paid. Let us hope that the miners, and all other
workers, will lay these facts to heart, and act accordingly. There are
too many drones in England, living on the common produce of labor. The
number of them should be diminished, and a beginning should be made with
the mystery men. Were the great Black Army disbanded, and turned into
the ranks of productive industry, the evils of society would begin to
disappear; for those evils are chiefly the result of too much energy and
attention being devoted to the problematical next life, and too little
to the real interests of our earthly existence. We should also be spared
the wretched spectacle of the well-paid drones of theology maundering
over the question of a "living wage" for the honest men who do the
laborious work of the world.

DID BRADLAUGH BACKSLIDE? *

* November 19, 1893.

The _Freethinker_ for October 22 contained a bright article by Mr.
George Standring, giving an account of a Sunday service which he
attended at the famous Wesley Chapel in the City-road. The preacher on
that occasion was the Rev. Allen Rees, and the theme of his discourse
was "The Death of the _National Reformer_" Amongst other more or less
questionable remarks, there was one made by the reverend gentleman,
which the reporter very justly criticised. What was said by Mr. Rees was
recorded as follows by Mr. Standring:--

"Indeed, there was reason to believe that Charles Bradlaugh had himself
materially modified his views before his death, that his Atheism became
weaker as he grew older. Sir Isaac Holden had told him (Mr. Bees) that
Mr. Bradlaugh had often spoken to him privately in the House of Commons
upon religious matters, and had admitted that the conversion of his
brother had profoundly impressed him. Mr. Bradlaugh had often said to
Sir Isaac Holden that he often wished he were half as good a man as his
brother."

To anyone