The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-10-25

aouhu w WttHSi Suu uIb SEBuID0utos Aln1s.
ters attacked him, but only with invectives,
which did moro harm than good. Teachers
and public speakers often ridiculed him, but
such things only availed against . shallow
reasoner, or one manifestly unpopular.
Professor Denton was gaining the thinking
men and women and felt sure, ~ his adhe-
rents boasted, "of shutting up the churches
and abolishing the Bible from Chagrin Falls"
It was one Of those occasional, almost una
accountable freaks Of public opinion, and
men were drawn into 1t who, aimost all their
lives, had been the most orthodox believers
in the holy Bible. The churches OF the dis
ciples viewed the success Of Professor Dem
ton with the deep st dismay. The church at
Chagrin Falls seemed almost in danger Of
annihilatioh, and the whole denomination
viewed its tottering condition with great
alarm. 1t happened that the noted Professor
had one weak point illustrating the truth of
that book he was endeavoring to overturn
wherein it says that great men are not al
ways wise" He had habit of boasting, and
one evening he went SO far as to challenge
any and every believer Of the Bible in
Ohio to refute his statements. He ordered
the use Of the hall and ample time to any
person who dared to undertake the task. At
once, the listeners who adhered to the Bible
thought OF MIR. Garfield. They had heard
him preach at Chragin Falls and in the sur
rounding country towns, and they felt that,
il any man could cope with the learned Pro-
fessor, it would be he. They felt that some
one must champion their cause, or all would
be lost. In q distress of mind not easily
realized by people living in other portions Of
the religious world, these sincere and sorrow
full Christians turned toward Mr.. Garfield for
help. At first he declined meeting the Pro-
fessor, thinking it unbecoming . Christian
man to debate such questions in public
hall. But the continued petitions Of his
friends and the alarm of the churches,
caused him at last to consent, and . commit
tee of citizens was appointed TO arrange for
the public discussion. 1t was great day at
Chragin Falls, and one which will not soon
be forgotten, when these two champion. met
in the arena of serious, earnest religious de-
bate. Mr.. Garfield had never heard Pro-
fessor Denton, and was consequently sup
posed to be ignorant of just the position
which the Professor would take. But Mr..
Garfield had been too wise to risk cause
which he believed so holy to the impulses
and guesses of an impromptu speech; and as
soon as he knew that he was to meet the Pro-
fessor, he had taken steps to find ont the ar
guments which the jnfdel used. Having as
ce rtained privately that the Professor was to
lecture on the same topic in distant part of
the State before the date Of the discussion,
Mr.. Garfield had sent friend to hear these
lectures, and write them out for his use. Of
course the Professor knew nothing of this,
and had no doubt of his ability to silence a
man who had not made science q special
study. When, however, Mr.. Garfield ha /
received the copies of the lectures, he at
once sent in various directions and procured
the latest scientific books, together with those
the Professor had quoted as being against the
Bible. He had also obtained learned opn-
ions of distinguished scholars, and before the
with arguments and authorities. When the
hour came for the discussion, the hall was
crowded to sutfocation by an eager, and, on
the part of the disciples, an almost
breathless audience. But they did not lose
faith in Mr.. Garfield. They thought that il
any one could overcome the learned Profes-
sor, then they had secured the right man.
The Professor, amid the smiles OF his follow
ers and with perfect confidence in his abil-
ity, opened the debate with his statements of
scientific facts and their bearing on the ac-
counts OF creation and the miracles in the
Bible. The Professor did not try to be pre-
c Sc and accurate III all his statements, for he
was sure thai MIR. Garfield would not attack
him on scientific principles, and when lie
stated any difficult question, he explained it
very kindly III ''smple language tOr Mr.
Garfielu's better Understanding. He repeated
however, almost rGFbattnt, the lecture oi
which Mr.. Garfield had copy. Mr.. Garfield
said nothing until his turn caine, and, when
he arose, it was apparent 10 all that the o.
fessor had predsposed the audience i'll favor
of inidelity. When, however, MI. Garfield
coolly, and with a readiness and knowledge
! which really astounded his hearers, took ul
the Professors arguments, one by one, and
quutin. voiumiuously from books and his
tory, used the Professors own authorities
against him, and piling up unanswerab.e
names above them, there was such a sudder
overturnng as an earthquake might make
1t seemed miraculous to the people, who very
reasonably supposed that Mr.. Garfield hat
not heard the Professors argument before
| The Professor had the closing speech to make
but he saw that he had lost the battle, ant
that his forces were too thoroughly routed t,
be rallied again. So, while he claimed shs
with further research he could yet establish
his theories, he manfully admitted he wa