CHRISTIANITY V. INFIDELITY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5256, 28 January 1878, Page 3

CHRISTIANITY V. INFIDELITY.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW EKALAND TIMES. Sm —I have not the honor of knowing your correspondent who signs himself * 1 homas Harrington,” but may still perhaps be permitted to felicitate him on the modesty which his letter, under the above heading, in to-day’ Times, exhibits. Until I perused his epistle I was unaware that the large audience which assembled to hear my lecture on Thursday evening was attracted by a rumor being spread abroad that your correspondent was going to address them. His assumption may have some foundation ; but at the same time I must inform him that I have had the satisfaction of lecturing to tolerably large audiences in other cities, where no report had been circulated that anyone of the name of “ Harrington” was going to assist me. As regards his offer to debate with me the question, “ Which is the better calculat-d to promote the interests of humanity—Christianity or infidelity ?” my engagements have unfortunately been concluded without setting apart “ two, four, six, or more nights ” _ for the purpose he indicates. Moreover, if I entered upon such a discussion, I should undoubtedly, according to my light, have to take the side of Christianity as opposed to infidelity,-that is to say, the Christianity which is based on a rational study of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, and the infidelity which consists in countenancing that which at heart one does not believe. If Mr. Harrington is prepared to uphold any sectarian form of so-called Christianity as against freethought, and can visit Dunedin within the next twelve months, I will undertake that the Freethought Lecture Committee of that town, composed of some of its most prominent citizens, will pay his expenses and allow him any reasonable sum beyond, that he may stipulate ; and that any proceeds above such charges which may accrue from a public discussion shall be equally divided between the hospital of this city and that of Dunedin. Should Mr. Harrington entertain this proposal, a letter from him addressed to Mr. W. M. Bolt, honorary secretary, Freethought Lecture Committee, Dunedin, will meet with prompt attention.—l am, &c., Charles Bright. York House, Wellington, January 26.