The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-06
CHRISTIANITY VS.. sGCULARIsM.
The Debate Last Week Between Rev.
Clark Eraden and MI. Charlesw worth.

The Debate Last Week Between Rev.
Clark Eraden and MI. Charlesw orth.
Nothing, perhaps, could show the great
change that has come over religious and
other thought in this couutry within the
last generation than the reception accorded
to the Rev. Clark Braden and Mr. John b.
Charlesworth in their weeks debate at the
Armory from Monday to Saturday night
OF last week. Forty years ago such an
event would have stirred any community
to its depths. and few halls would in all
probability have been large enough to hold
those who would have attended. Today
1t passes almost unnoticed. or at least re-
ceives but perfunctory attention. In fact,
the attitude OF the people here verged
closely upon indifference. 1t is doubtful
whether Mr.. Charleswortk would have
been accorded, forty years ago, the courte-
Gus, uninterrupted hearing which he had
last week. There was as much difference
between the men as there was in their
attitude and argument MI Braden is an
older man by probably twefty years than
his opponent. He had the advantage of a
more refined appearance and more Gull
tured manner, method and language. Mr..
Charlesworth is a man probably not 80,
was stronger, more vigorous and more
humorous in debate than Mr.. Braden,
and had the advantage Of being able
and ready to call forta repeatedly
the kind of laughter and applause
which always follows him who handles
religious things solely with the view of
getting laugh out of them. Even when.
as in some cases, he referred to the Jeho-
yah OF the Scriptures as a seller of false.
h0o DE- = H.
word). there were some present in his
audience who applauded. At times the
speakers came near to personal vitupera-
ton. On Tuesday evening, for instance.
Mr.. Charlesworth took up and combatted
the idea that Christ taught. or that Chris
tianity inculcated peace. ,I'he basis of
the denial of this tribute to Jesus was that
in one of the utterances attributed to him
he said; Il come not to bring peace, but a
sword" Mr.. Chariesworth'z indictment
of Christianity was based on the facts as
to the great standing armies of Europe.
He also recited the fact about Stanley's
Christianizing trips TO Central Africa
when he loaded down with rifles, pistols
and explosive bullets. At this stage a hiss
was heard by all in the room. Charles
worth evidently thought it emanated from
Mr.. Braden. Mr.. Charles worth seemed
taken aback for an instant and then said:
"Hear that! That shows how low a man
can sink and yet remain defender of this
book" pointing to Bible on the desk. As
far as the obligations of common courtesy
went honors are said to have been even.
The debate concluded on Saturday night
in Ranke's hall before an audience larger in
number and seemingly of higher grade
than that which attended on the previous
evenings. Quite number Of clergymen
of various denominations were present
during the week. The moderators of the
meetings were Rev. r. f. Dunlap on the
Christian side and Richard Winsor on the
secularist side. Mayor ]. T. Ronald pre-
sided at some of the sessions.