BEING one of the social missionaries in the propaganda of Robert Owen, I was, like H. Viewssiew, a writer of those days, a "student of realities." It soon became clear to me, as to others, that men are much influenced for good or evil, by their environments. The word was unused then, "circumstances" was the term employed. Then as now there were numerous persons everywhere to be met with who explained everything on supernatural principles with all the confidence of infinite knowledge. Not having this advantage, I profited as well as I could by such observation as was in my power to make. I could see that material laws counted for something in the world. This led me to the conclusion that the duty of watching the ways of nature was incumbent on all who would find true conditions of human betterment, or new reasons for morality--both very much needed. To this end the name of Secularism was given to certain principles which had for their object human improvement by material means, regarding science as the providence of man and justifying morality by considerations which pertain to this life alone. The rise and development (if I may use so fine a term) of these views may be traced in the following records. 1. "Materialism will be advanced as the only sound basis of rational thought and practice." (Prospectus of the _Movement_, 1843, written by me.) 2. Five prizes awarded to me, for lectures to the Manchester Order of Odd-fellows. These Degree Addresses (1846) were written on the principle that morality, apart from theology, could be based on human reason and experience. 3. The _Reasoner_ restricts itself to the known, to the present, and seeks to realise the life that is. (Preface to the _Reasoner_, 1846.) 4. A series of papers was commenced in the _Reasoner_ entitled "The Moral Remains of the Bible," one object of which was to show that those who no longer held the Bible as an infallible book, might still value it wherein it was ethically excellent. (_Reasoner_, Vol. V., No. 106, p. 17, 1848.) 5. "To teach men to see that the sum of all knowledge and duty is _Secular_ and that it pertains to this world alone." (_Reasoner_, Nov. 19, 1851. Article, "Truths to Teach," p. 1.) This was the first time the word "Secular" was applied as a general test of principles of conduct apart from spiritual considerations. 6. "Giving an account of ourselves in the whole extent of opinion, we should use the word _Secularist_ as best indicating that province of human duty which belongs to this life." (_Reasoner_, Dec. 3, 1851, p. 34.) This was the first time the word "Secularist" appeared in literature as descriptive of a new way of thinking. 7. "Mr. Holyoake, editor of the _Reasoner_, will lay before the meeting [then proposed] the present position of Secularism in the provinces." (_Reasoner_, Dec. 10, 1851, p. 62.) This was the first time the word "Secularism" appeared in the press.