The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-12-20
GREAT Minds DISAGREE
Herald Reporters View The Religious Dis.
Cussion Through Different Lenses.
INFIDELITY VERSUS CHRISTIANITY
Double Account OF the Controversy
Between the Early Rose and the
Late Reynoids-"rhe Heraido Is
strictly Up 60 Date Ia Tbis as
Well A. All other Matters.

It may seem prejudicial, it may appear
narrow, yet it is neither; it is simply the
unbiased opinion of the writer that
grievous error has been made on the part
Of both the churches and the scientists
of this city, in permitting to be carried on
the debates of Saturday and Sunday last
The result of the contest may be summed
up in just one sentence, followers OF either
idea TO the contrary notwithstanding;
that sentence is: The christian is still
mistaken in his belief, the infidel is as
positive MS before. No good has come of
the discussion, some bitter feeling has
been engendered, and the sole and only
topic OF conversation now is religion
to the discontinue OF its followers.
A belief in the divinity of Christ harms
no one, and may he source of solace to
the comparative few who profess it; vet
it is the veriest folly to attempt to force
upon children, and men and women of
mature years, in many in stances, All idea
impossible of conception to their minds,
because they cannot Understandings as.
simulate and apply it. Christ is divine
only to the individual who can subject
lively accept his divinity. The christian
feels he is divine, and to the christian
he must, then, be divine; but it does not
necessarily follow that all men NAV or
can believe him so to be. The iniidel
cannot accept his divinity, and his object
i've force lie called into play to contend
with the simple faith which he cannot
conquer.
Therefore is discussion harmful to the
christian. He cannot prove single
statement to the effect that his Christ is
divine, though he knows it and his fail
ure to advance logical arguments initiate
against him in his endeavor To convince
the wary or the unconvinced skeptic
The question is absolutely not debatable
The christian is right, the infidel is right /;
the matter can only be determined from
the point of view.
In this connection the writer must take
issue with Mr. Rose in one ssserveration.
That gentleman denies in toto the sixth
sense, and calls it ridiculous when one
tells him that ones senses may be de-
ceived If Mr.. Rose so believes, then he
10 beyond all hope of attempting to prove
his christianity. Mr.. Rose must have
heard Of hypnotism, yet Mr.. Rose does
Tot believe that it is sixth sense. There
were men in his audience on Saturday
who could, given proper conditions, have
shown him something of the hypnotic
force. There were men in that audience
who, at the risk of being called blasphem-
Gus, would have told the reverend gen
tleman that only upon hypnotic grounds
could they ever believe in the performance
of the miracles of Christ. II Mr.. Rose
were broad-minded enough, he could ac-
quiesce in the statement that the chris
tian should take the basic principle of
hypnotism as the grand foundation of his
own belief; because upon such grounds
even the intidel would hesitate to contra
diet him. Should Mr.. Rose devote much
exhaustive study to this thought he may
be able to see the strength and beauty OF
it. The most pronounced infidel in the
city OF North Yakima will, the reporter
thinks, confess to Mr.. Rose that solely
upon this ground can he see reason for
the christians belief in the divinity of
Christ. Why, then, does the reverend
gentleman refuse to acknowledge that
men who have these thoughts, these al
most infinite powers given strength of
belief and development) are men OF I'M
derstanding?
In the discussion of this subject Mr..
Reynolds was very lenient in his re-
marks. Believing that Christ was not
divine, only one other course is left open :;
that is, that he WAS an imposter. II he
were, his practices and teachings are sub.
jects OF wrsthful argumentative probings
and attempted explanation. Infidels are
frequently bitter when they have public
opportunity of speaking freely what they
believe in this connection, and their re
marks are oftimes very offensive t, chris
tian ears. Mr.. Reynolds was, no viewer,
discreet aud gentlemanly. He left much
unssid, and it is better so
| This second debate-npon the topic,
'Infidelity, so-called, has done more for
the advancement of science and the up
! lifting Of humanity than christianity"
was OF the rame nature AS, though differ
ent from the first; i. e., the point from
which one discusses the subject has much
to do with belief. However, this ques-
ton is debatable. The writer maintains
that the question il about evenly divided.
Scientifically, perhaps infidelity may
claim superiority; for the uplifting Of hu
mainly, christianity is in advance. Be-
cause the infidel has not devoted his
time and his brains toward spreading the
doctrine OF christianity, but has delved
into the arts, manufactures and sciences
instead; and conversely, the christian
has given his life to the elevating of the
moral standard of the Inhabitants OF the
earth, leaving the former field to his lin
many instances) unchristian brother
The opera house was crowded each
afternoon, to its fullest capacity, while
the debates we're in progress. Indifferent
men or doubling Thomases" have been,
perhaps, influenced in contrary direc-
t;or IN . n nj das;rad nv E,,anoaI;st Pace 70.