SUDDEN DEATH DURING A BILIMOUS DISCUSSION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2055, 5 February 1889, Page 3

SUDDEN DEATH DURING A BILIMOUS DISCUSSION

» Ob the night of Sunday, 27tb alt., a Tory sadden death occurred io the Vlotorla ' Hall. Bonrke street, Melbourne, daring a religions dlionsslon which waa be log carried on on the snbjeot of the " Rise *nd Fall of Christianity." The snbjaot «ras Inirodnced by Mr J. P. Peppercorn, * well-known teacher of drawing in the State aehooU; He ipoke in a calm and moderate for abont twenty minutes, the time naoally allowed to tbe opener of ft discussion. The Chairman, In accordance with the eastern of these gathering*, then invited aDy gentleman Jn the aadlenee to refote tbe arguments a^Taneed on the aide of Christianity, and n^ In response Mr Valentine Browne stepped ~ on to the' platform. He commenced hti reply with" tCja^tkß highly derogatory to the members of .*be Christian ministry. Mr Peppercorn hau leated bimaalf at the Obalrman'a table to **ke notes of his opponent's remarks, and be riddenly fell from his ohalr to the floor. Tbe Chairman and Dr Flgg, of Wililamstown, who ohanoed to be on tbe platform, came to hla aiafstanoe, and as they lifted him up Dr Flgg discovered that life waa extinct. Adranoing to the front of the platform he explained to the andlence that the lecturer of the evening was dead. »Tfae paraons in the hall retired qaietly and without any oonfation. An apopleotto f llion v* tbe eioif of dwtb,