ANTI-RATIONALISTIC LECTURE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 192, 14 August 1911, Page 7

ANTI-RATIONALISTIC LECTURE.

The first of a series of Anti-Rational-istic, lectures, to be delivered by Mr. Geo. Aldridge, under the auspices of the EastStreet Mission, was given yesterday afternoon. Over a thousand people attended to hear the lecturer defend his belief in "Jesus Christ as a Historical Personage.'' Tins topic was the subject of Mr. Scott Bennett's lately repudiated challenge, and had elicited more than ordinary interest among; the Socialistic camp-followers, a large sprinkling of whom were present. The Rev. Jas. Wilson presided. Miss Wakelin contributed a solo.

Mr. Aldridge spoke for nearly an hour and n-half, and was given an attentive hearing throughout, frequently punctuated by applause. He commenced by reviewing the present hostility to Christianity, which he compared with the opposition in Bradlaugh's day, and stated as his profound conviction that the lino of attack then followed would be valueless against modern methods of defence. Coming to the main line of his argument, he led bis audience back through history to tne days of Constantine, and adduced testimony from contemporary historians l accepted as genuine and authentic by the best of modern criticism, which justified the contention that Christianity began just when its record said it did, and could have no other origin than the person of its Founder. A well-arranged and forcible lecture was brought to a conclusion amidst applause. Several questions were asked and answered, and the meeting closed about 5 p.m. 'with a verse of the National Anthem. Next week the topic for discussion will be "The Virgin Birth."