Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-10-08

Ion - cnRIsTIAN RAPrIsT.
A DEBATE ON THE EVIDENCES
OF CHRISTIANITY.

4 DEBATE ON THE EVIDENCES
OF CHRISTIANITY.
It will be remembered that Mr.. Robert
OgeR, Of New Harmony, did, in the month
Of January last, challenge the clergy Of
New Orleans Gas he had in effect the teach
ers Of religion every where to debate with
him the truth Of the christian religion. in
his public discourses, as we'll as in the
words of the challenge, he engages to prove
that "aB the religions Of the ,coyid hare
been founded on TIE ignorance humankind;
that they haze been, and are, Hereal sources
Of rice, disnni0n, and misery of ecerg des-
criptiOR; that they are n00 the 0nly bar to
the formation Of q society of rirtue, of IN
telHgeace, Of charity IN rs most ertcnded
sense, and If sincerity and Kindness amQng
tie 1ekOle hUmaH family; and that then can
Be no longer maintained except through the
ignorance Of the mass Of tie people, and
tbs tyranny Of q fei0 0ger that mass"
This challenge | have formally accepted,
believing it my duty so to do in existing
circumstances; and ! stand pledged to
prove, in a public discussion, that the a.
boye positions are every one UaieDa5le; that
Mr.. Owen cannot prove any of them by
any fair or legitimate process of reasoning
whatever.
There are foar grand positions assunl-
ed by Mr. Owen in the above challenge
u. That all the religions Of the world
have been founded on the ignorance of
mankind"
-. That they have been, dad are. the
real sources Of vice. disunion, and misery
Of every description"
%. That they are n010 the oulyroal bar
to the formation of society of virtue, IN
telligence, sincerity. and benevolence.'
II. That they can be no longer main
tanned except through the ignorance Of the
mass of the people, and the tyranny Of the
few over the mass"
To each Of these I say, Nay; and am
prepared to show that it is not In the power
Of any man livingto prove one ofthem true,
by any documents. facts, or Just reaso0ings
IN the compass Of human power or human
knowledge.
Since my acceptance of the above chai-
lenge, had the pleasure Of visit from
Mr.. Owen, on his way eastward; and, af
ter an agreeable and desultory coDversa-
ton on the premises, and various matters,
we have agreed to meet, all things concur
ring, in the city of Cincinnati, on the
SECOND MONDAY or APRIL NEXT. IN some
large and commodious place in that city.
Mr. Owen being on his way to Britain,
and not contemplating his return to the
United States as practicable before the be.
ginning of winter next, requested the delay
of this discussion to so remote a period.
1t is hoped that the season fixed upon will
prove acceptable to the public in general,
as 1t is to be expected that facilities Of
steam boat navigation, and the mildness of
the weather at that season will be tayora-
bic to such as will feel interested to attend
From the talents and acquisitions Of Mr.
Owen, we have no doubt but he will be as
capable Of defending his positions as any
man living; and when we consider his SUI
periOr opportunities from age, travelling,
conversation, and extensive reading for
many years, added to the almost entire de-
yOtiOn Of his mind to his peculiar views
during a period as long as we have lived,
we should fear the result of such discus
sion, were it not for the assurance we have
and feel ofthe invincible, irrefragable, and
triumphant evidences of that religion from
which we derive all our high enioyments
on earth, and to which we look for every
thing that disarms death of its terrors, and
the grave Of its victory over the human
race. A. CAMPBELL.