, 1889-05-30
A CHI
Clark BrAden Wants to meet Underwood
an the Platform.

A CHALLEN0E.
an the Platform.
In November 1888, the writer debated
with b. +. Underwood in Siverton, Ore
gon. At the close OF the debate the writer
accepted invitations to repeat in Eugene
City. Oregon, and in Portland. Oregon.
the Silverton debate. Mr.. Underwood
backed out OF this agreement, aud when
driven into the debate at Eugene, backed
out OF half of the debate. He left the Pa.
ci6c coast without filling his promise to
debate in Portland. IL Ia announced in
Free Thought" that he will return to the
coast next spring to lecture. The writer
ble arrangements can be maae, on the fol-
lowing terms:
The proposition shall be-
/. There is, distinct and different from
matter aud its energy, such an existence
as spirit, a rational conscious entity or
being. Absolute spirit is the set-existent
being. and the origin OF all existences. and
the iist cause OF all phenomena. Braden
will affirm.
2. The universe, in its entirety, is eter-
nal. Matter and its energy are the modes
in which are revealed in human conscious
ness the eternal power in which all exist.
ences and phenomena have their being.
Worlds, species, life, language. society,
morality, arts, civilization have been
evolved out of primOrdial matter and it's
energy, in accordance With law. Under.
wood atfirms.
3. The bock of the bible were written
by the persons to whom the bible sslribes
them. and in the ayes to which the bible
assigns them. Their statements are true,
and they contain a revelation from God,
-. l,, ,.ax .,.,,n az
a. Many of the historic, sCientihc, NOR
al and religious statements of the bible
are erroneous. Therefore the bible is en-
tirely Of human origin, and when il is re-
ceived as OF divine origin and authority,
It is pernicious in its influence. Under
wood will affirm.
5. The great ideas and general princi.
Piles inculcated, in the language OF the
lsraeite scriptures of the old testament,
and the christian scriptures Of the new
testament, and completed ia the inculca.
tions of Jesus and his apostles, are in har-
mony with human reason.
They will secure the highest exercise of
human reason.
They will secure to man all the happi-
ness and progress, here and hereafter, of
which man is capable. Braden will af-
firm.
|. No idea or act shall be charged on
either the bible or agnosticism, no matter
| how many professed adherents OF the bible
| or aanosticism may have avowed IL or
practiced it, until the language of the
bible or of the standards Of agnosticism
iuculcatinR IL has been read-unless ii la
avOwed by the representative OF the bible
OF of aguosticism.
9. All questions presented in writing
10. Il osk h,a ank
be read--in full-in the order presented; !;
| and each one must be answered without
| evasion, as il is read, and when it is read,
| before reading and answering another
| question.
Sucn questions must be pertinent to the
issues discussed. The answers must be-
made, as early as the first speech OF the
one interroRated, in the session following
the one in which the questions were pre-
sented. Provided when answers involve
an appeal to authorities not at hand, time
shall be given to obtain the authorities,
and answers can be made ut any tine
after obtaining such authorities.
3. Each disputant can criticise as Sc
verely az truth will permit. the system,
sentiment and the language OF his oppo-
nent: but neither disnutant can indulge In
any personal reflections on his opponent,
outslde of such proper criticisms.
4. Each session OF the debate shall con-
tinue two hours. There shall Do given to
the discussion of propositions l l-2--5--6.
ak hours to each proposition. To the dis
cussions of propositions 3-4, twelve hours
to each proposition.
The last session OF the debate shall be
devoted to general review OF the entire
debate,
5. The speeches shall be thirty minutes
each, the affirmative opening and the neg
alive closing, in each session. and on each
proposition, and the speeches alternating
Ia regular order.
Provided that the speeches In the gen
eral review, In the last session, shall be
an hour each, the disputant Offering Prop.
ositions II-IV, making the opening in
that session, and the ono offering PROPOSE.
tiOns Lilly closing the debate.
In the final negative on each proposition.
and 6nal speech in review, no new matter
shall be introduced.
5. The disputants shall reduce TO writ
ing their speeches in the rinsl debate OF
the series, prepared for the press. furnish
them for publication, and correct the
proofs, and sign certificate that they
have been published ss they presented
them for publication.
CLARK BRADEN.
MILLIONS COMING.