CHRISTIANITY v. INFIDELITY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5255, 26 January 1878, Page 2

CHRISTIANITY v. INFIDELITY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, — As I have been informed that I was expected at Mr. Bright’s second lecture on Thursday night, allow me through your columns to give the reasons for my non-attend-ance. First, I made no promise to be there, and therefore do not see how I was to have been expected. Secondly, as I stated on the first night, I should not think of coming unless the same time was to be allowed for discussion i.e., if the lecture lasted an hour, another hour should be allowed for discussion. Thirdly, I was already engaged in the evening, and therefore could not well be present. It has been suggested to me that this rumor was spread abroad by the Bright party on purpose to get a bright audience. Of course I am not in a position to say whether this statement is true; but, if so, I can only add it. is certainly a verv cheap way of advertising. I now repeat the challenge given by myself to Mr. Bright in the Polytechnic Hall, viz., to meet him in public debate for two, four, six, or more nights, upon the broad question, “Which is the better calculated to promote

the interests of humanity—Christianity or infidelity?" Having been one of the Christian Evidence Society’s lecturers, and having met the leading infidels of London, including Mrs. Annie Besant, whom Mr. Bright praised so highly in his last lecture, I am now prepared to meet him. In the event of Mr. Bright not accepting this challenge, I shall deliver a course of “Apologetic lectures” either on Sunday afternoons or week evenings. By this your readers will learn there are others in favor of freethought beside those who talk so glibly about it. — l am, &c., Thomas Harrington.