The sun., 1882-08-27
FREE THINKERS THEMES.
THE CONTENTION DISCUSSING TOM
PAINE AND ATHEISM.
Pertinent Advice In Reply to n Methodist
= Diytne's Communi c nj tion--A q odless -wo-
man" Declaring Her Beliefin spirituaiism.

Pertinent Advice In Reply to q Methods
= Diyine's Communic iona =" q odless -wo-
man" Declaring Her BeIiefin spirituaiism.
WATKINS, N. Y, Aug. 26.-The burden Of
the themes discussed to-day in the Free Think
ers' Convention in session in this village was
Thomas Paine and atheism The interest in
the meetings and the attendance do not flag
in the least some OF the men sitting in the
hall with their coats of. determined to
take as cooly rs possible the heat
in order to hear what is said. Two OF the prin-
cipal speakers paid tribute to Thomas Paine.
One John E. Bemsberg. who has come all the
way from Atchison. Kansas. defended him
stouty from what he termed clerical virulence.
and urged that his memory Is one Of the bright
est reflections from the early times OF the re-
public. J. P. Mendum ol the Boston Inresti-
gator gave an account 9f the Paine memorial
building in his city. wnich was not very flatter-
ing for its futGro.
Julette p. Severance of Milwaukee and Prof
j, II. Burnham Of Michigan. former. Metho:.
To be a goddess woman but believed that men
lived after death. for she had seen. felt Of. and
talked with persons after they had been buried
ism in its highest sense. Mr.. Burnham's argu-
ment was directed against the familiar watch
and consequently a designer: hence the world
more complicated by far showed the same.
The speakers answer was that il would be rea-
sonable to as who hen made the ma ker OF the
watch, and who made him that made the maker
OF the watch. and so on without end tho same
reasoning to apply to the universe thus dis
proving the existence OF an Interchangeable God
=. The Convention runs largely to talk. and but
little to definite action. \ very few minutes
were spent this morning in the election of OFF,
GERS for the coming year. and even these few
were. begrudged. All Of the officers were re-
elected. the President. 7. L. Brown OF Bing-
hamton.. and Secretary H. L. Green of Sala-
manca for their fifth term. rather unex-
pected event happened during the day. A
telegram was received from Chaplain McCabe.
which said:
To a., Pre'ident orth, re, rntnf,r' Convention:
than one Nethod.t church for every day in the
year and propose to make it two aday. ,.c
Secretary Board Church Extension. NJ E. Church
This didn't seem to set very well upon tho
Convention. and was not very graciously re-
eteived;, ,, reply was written and the Conven.
was as follows:
To c C KcCdbe OF N,thodut Church Erte-tior N T.
works Build fewer churche. and pay your take. ON on
them like honest men. Build better churches since
these days and won't wish to pay too much for repairs
President, PRO tenn Free Thinkers Convention
Much regret was also expressed and felt at
the announcement that a telegram had been
received from Col r. G.. Ingersoll. that it would
be impossible for him to be here to- morrow.
During the day contribution was made for
Secretary II. l.. Green amounting to sl25 for
his lahors in getting together such essful
body. it may be said that when the
amount realized from the subscription was
the music for the Convention; Prof. W s. Peck
of Chicago. sang Jesus Paid 1t ALL" He said
he thought that hymn was appropriate right
were exchanged with the Kansas Liberal Union.
now in session at Bismarck Grove.