Evening star., 1947-10-09

that only nitwits are believers I got their
platform one Sunday and gave a talk on the
compatibility of science and religion
A Laboratory in Homietics.
The Secular Leagues hour had ended and
the Rev. William H. Russell, professor of
religion at Catholic University, was setting
up his own podium. 1t had a sign hanging
from it-'Catholic Evidence Guild"-and a
small crucif1x above. He had brought with
him three candidates for the priesthood from
the Pauist Seminary. Soon they were trying
out their homiletics and Mr.. Barr, the roofer
was batting them with questions. Father
Russell was leaning on the podum his feet
crossed in an attitude of nonchalance that
only centuries of tradition could account for
Its good practice for Them he said.
In another group of a dozen on the prom
enade, Harry Williams, amateur economist,
was offering to end the national debt overnight
and put it on the right shoulders. A man
named Meehan steered the conversation to
his subject telepathy. There came to his
support second telepathist, a follower of
Dunninger, the magician 49,
But Mr.. Meehan," said Mr. Williams, III
there's anything to your telepathy, why can't
it tell us something more important than the
number on a paper we have folded and put
into our pockets?" etc, etc.
Then a report swept the promenade that
broke up the knots of arguers. got every one
off the benches and brought them to the
Catholic meeting.
It was: "Qurk's going to talk from the
Catholic platform
why, he's the most anti-Catholic one of
them ALL, some one said in ainazement
"The traito1!' said Curtis Barr. He cutched
his Bible and started back to the Catholic
lecture. I'll show him up"
While Father Russell was introducing him.
little Mr.. Quirk slipped his New Testament
interlinear in his pocket-also the other little
volume he was carrying. 1t was 1900
English anti-Oxford movement tract entitled
Reasons for Not Joining the Church OF Rome" :"
Mr.. Quirk spread his notes before him. He
took his time. He indulged in no rhetoric
but in matter -of-fact voice began citing
his authorities He quoted Clement of Rome
the Apology of Aristeides Tertullian. CELSIUS
Lucian, Suetonius, the Emperor Julian and
Justin Martyr. He held the crowd. He had
more than 100 out in front, the biggest audi
ence of the day.
Victory for Mr.. Quirk.
He quoted from Josephus' Antiquities.
Give me the passage before that" demanded
Mr.. Barr.
Its not before me-" said Mr.. Quirk.
II have it at home" said Mr.. Barr.
II suppose you mean Winston's Josephus," +"
said Mr.. Quirk.
II can't name the translators the way you
can," shouted Mr.. Barr, "but I know what's in
the books"
Take taxicab and get it. Mr.. Barr" said
Mr. Quirk. It'll be right here"
Mr.. Barr stayed. few minutes later he
was demanding
Give me one eyewitness who saw Christ"
Little Mr.. Held was behind him, dancing on
tiptoe to look over Mr.. Bars shoulder.
"Yes," he seconded, "give us one eyewitness" :"
Mr.. Quirk ignored them. He finally came
to the disputed paragraph in Tacitus, the
Roman historian of the first century Tactus'
writings we're rediscovered by monks in the
Middle Ages and some writer's have accused
them of interpolating the passage, which
reads:
"The Emperor Nero inflicted cruel tortures
on men hated for their crimes, called by the
vulgar Christians. Christ, from whom they
took their name, had been put to death under
Tiberius by the Procurator Pontius PLATE. Re-
pressed for time, this detestable superstition
broke out again, not only in Judea the font
OF the evil, but at Rome, whittier all irregulari-
ties and infamies tend to gravitate."
THAT passage has been tampered with"
shouted Mr.. Barr
Have you the original?" asked Mr. Quirk.
"Of course not" said Mr. Barr
Then how do you know it's been tampered
with?" said Mr.. Quirk
That got the crowd laughing. Mr.. Quirk had
won the day. Father Russell grasped his hand
in congratuation. The semnarians slapped
him on the back. 1t was a victory in Higher
Criticism comparable to Abelard's theological
triumph over Anselm
In a few minutes a Protestant mission
started.
George Tipps Of the Fourteenth Street
Church of Christ led in singing Jesus Keep
Me Near the Cross" After all the forensics
the voices blending in the harmony of the
hymn, sounded good.