, 1876-08-26


cgptiun, cruciixion, death and rcsurrcc'
tion Of Christ, eternal he'll, &C., are all
borrowed from the Pagan systems I'M
older lhn Christianity; that these
dogmas are inconsistent with Justice,
reason, common sense, and physical.
mental. and moral science That the
track of the Christian church is the
hIoodicst track that can he pointed out
ON the face If the earth. And in proof
of this referred to the mHljoaS that have
been slaughtered in Europe in the days OF
her highest supremacy hy the tire "i
faggots, the sword, the prison, the gibbt
and the hul QUESTION, &c, as well a.
the uuukurs and witches that were hung
by the christians in massachusetts,. that
they have not yet entirely outgrown tie
spirit heretofore 50 strongly Manifested,
as is proved by the spirit they still man
iiest towards free thinkers, whom they
still drnouncc md smnder without stint,
and cnuti n every body to avoid. That
reason and common sense constitute
mans highest guide-thut the revela-
tions of science are the tue revelations
to man, AMI the only ones that are IN
lulliblr.
MIR. Edwards admitted that there arc
mi,intcrpretations in the BiOle-intcrro'
lations--npparent contradictions, absur-
dIties, and inconsistencies yet among
all this apparent trash which may have
been imposed on that book-still enough
OF Gods truth still shines through It's
pages to afford an unmiStakablc and in
laliblc rule OF faith and practice.
There were some funny and laughahle
incidents connected with the debate.
Mr. Edwards was asked - who made the
devil, and what was he made tori He
evaded the answer for II considerable
time, but at last out with it.
God made the devil and the devil made sin
God made hell to put the devil in"
But next evening he modified 1t by say.
ing that the devil made himself; GOD
made him an angel 0t light; but he
made himself devil. He believes in
personal devil, aud n literal hell OF brlm.
stone and fire.
Mr.. Edwards sung hymn introduc-
tory to his argument, followed by II
PRAYER to God. Mr.. Edmunds said he
did not think it right to allow a mon.
opoly in that kind of performances, so
he made prayer addressed to the devil; (;
claiming it to be as eflicatious as the
one made by his opponent
Mr.. Edwards claimed that the fear of
an eternal hell was necessary to keep
men in the path of pctitude; otherwise
they would sink to the lowest depths of
crime and iniquity. On the other hand
Mr.. Edmunds claimed that fear was IL
low, base, and animal motive, unworthy
of man of sense and reason. But If
any men are 80 unfortunate as to he born
into the world without any of the prin-
cipc of conscience, and who had no
better sense than to think they could
roll sin as q sweet morsel under their
tongues the vicarious atonement offered
them premium on crime; for just be-
fore dying they could repent-throw
themselves into the arms of Jesus and
90 direct to heaven.
At the close OF the argument all OF
the audience, which was very large, who
thought Mr.. Edmunds had the best of
the argument, were requested to manifest
it by rising; nearly all simultaneously
rose to their feet after sitting down, all
Of contrary mind were requested to man
itest it by rising; three or four only rose
to their feet. Thus the debate ended.
And the expression of the audience in
references to the debate cannot be other
wise than gratifying to Mr.. Edmunds,
and encouraging to him in his labors for
liberalism and free thought.
+. H. VI,
SEATTLE, August II, 1878.