MR G. J. BRUCE AND THE FREETHINKERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1616, 23 January 1886, Page 4

MR G. J. BRUCE AND THE FREETHINKERS.

'' A CHALLENGE. ' (TO THE EDITOR OF THK STANDARD.); Sin, — In justice to the Freethinkers of Palmerston North, Will you kindly per mit _ttie 'following' to appear m -your' valuable paper. I may state that" the i following letter was handed to Mr G. J. .Brude on; the lGfch January;, and up to the present'' moment I have not heard I from Mr Bruce m reply, either by letter or otherwise. Further comment is needless; jour numerous readers have only to read, mark,' learn, and inwardly digest, and- confirm the' truths contained-, m the underwritten. — I am, &c, ! • : I T. R. Walton. Palmerston North, , January 22nd, 1886. . *T6 G. J. Bruce, Esq. . Dear Sir,— Ak per notice m local papers, it is your m tention to address '* Freethinkers'* ffoin behind the Wesleyan pulpit to-morrow evening, permit me to suggest, that if you;feelicorapetent to handle the subject fearlessly ; it would be more to your credit, and of more direct benefit, tc that deluded and ignorant class of Humanity called Freethinkers, if yon come out boldly on the Lyceum platform and give utterance to your thoughts face to fuce:wish thos;e you are foolishly attempting to condemn. The pulpit Ibut a coward's stronghold, where tinright of 'reply is ignored. I have therefore to request you to consent to the following, viz., to occupy the Lyceum platform on Sunday, the 24th January, at 7 p.m., and deliver your address to Freethinkers. : Or should you prefer a discussion I shall, be most ~h.£ppy to debate with: you '-on", the following vexed question, i{ Free ' thought v. Christianity." Time and conditions to suit your convenience — I am, &c. t T. R. Walton. Palmerston North, ; January 16th, 1886. To Mr G. J. Bruce, Ranaritikei. Dear Sir,- : -An advertisement m the d ii'y paper ijforms the public that you are to give an address to ''Free thinkers .'' m the Wesleyan Church to-raorrow evening. The Rationalist Society have a .leqture advertised at the same' time in' '-^hfe Lyceum, ( consequently; the member., cannot tivaiKhWibeives of the' privilege 1 to;hearyou. 1' am therefore requested to? ftsk,^ on s^behalf, of the Rationalist Society, that you" wilf " f faV6f*thefn Svith^ an 1 address or lecture at the Lyceum on any Sunday, evening, and they, will accord you a courteous, impartial and fail iibejaring throughout your discourse. Your object being to show arid endeavor to ledd Freethinkers from the error, "a> VQii think," m which their judgment have lead them, I have no doubt and will hope, that you will accept this invitation -to come .and: address them ' when; they regularly assemble. You must see that they cannot profit by yoar arrangements and reasoning only by your com ing amongst them And if you lire de siroiis to proclaim your Lord and Master, and not " ashamed " to own Hig name, you will avail iyourselt of an opportunity offered to you by a larg6 number. ~l am, &c. r . • „ ; Thomas Hall, "Hon. Sec. to the Rationalist Society. '■■ Palmers ton North, '. January lGth, 1886. , j Mr Bruce/ called on , me and acknbwf ledged receiving the above. I told turn if he was anxious to convert Freethinker* he would come to the Lyceum, that he might have a fair hearing, the Society would aIIQW-hini to .chose his own chairman and his friends could be with him, but he Reclined -and said a -weak cham s^ pion might damage a good cause. In his address at the Wesleyati Chiircli Mr Bruce made statements that he could not substantiate and dare not utter from the Lyceum platform. — T. H.