Austin Holyoake

From Philosopedia

Holyoake, Austin (1827—1874)

An English secularist publisher, the younger brother of George Jacob Holyoake, Holyoake printed and published Bradlaugh’s National Reformer. Secular societies, he believed, should be established as meeting places in various respectable communities. His mental emancipation came, he wrote, from hearing the lectures of Robert Owen and his disciples.

He took part in the agitation for the abolition of the newspaper stamp—assisting when risk and danger had to be met—and he helped his brother in the production of Reasoner and other publications. Holyoake started Austin & Co. in 1864 and founded Fleet House in 1855. Joseph Mazzini Wheeler notes that Holyoake “took pride in the character of Freethought, and was ever zealous in promoting its welfare. His amiable spirit endeared him to all who knew him.”

Holyoake died of consumption and, according to George William Foote, he was conscious almost to the last, his major regret being that he could no longer fight the battle of freedom nor protect the youth of his little son and daughter. Two days before his death, Holyoake dictated his last thoughts on religion, which were written down by his devoted wife and printed in the National Reformer (19 April 1874). Following is a sample:

• Christians constantly tell Freethinkers that their principles of “negation,” as they term them, may do very well for health; but when the hour of sickness and approaching death arrives they utterly break down, and the hope of a “blessed immortality” can alone give consolation. In my own case I have been anxious to test the truth of this assertion, and have therefore deferred till the latest moment I think it prudent to dictate these few lines. To desire eternal bliss is no proof that we shall ever attain it; and it has long seemed to me absurd to believe in that which we wish for, however ardently. I regard all forms of Christianity as founded in silliness. It is the expectation held out of bliss through all eternity, in return for the profession of faith in Christ and him crucified, that induces the erection of temples of worship in all Christian lands. Remove the extravagant promise, and you will hear very little of the Christian religion. As I have stated before, my mind being free from any doubts on these bewildering matters of speculation, I have experienced for twenty years the most perfect mental repose; and now I find that the near approach of death, the “grim King of Terrors,” gives me not the slightest alarm. I have suffered, and am suffering, most intensely both by night and day; but this has not produced the least symptom of change of opinion. No amount of bodily torture can alter a mental conviction. Those who, under pain, say they see the error of their previous belief, had never thought out the subject for themselves.

Holyoake composed a “Secular Burial Service,” which for a time continued to be in use by some freethinkers.

{BDF; EU, Lee E. Grugel; FUK; RAT; RSR; VI, TRI; WSS}