SUDDEN DEATH AT A RELIGIOUS MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9285, 12 February 1889, Page 5

SUDDEN DEATH AT A RELIGIOUS MEETING.

On January 27 a very sudden death occurred in the Victoria Hall, Bourke-street, Melbourne, during a religious discussion which was being carried on on the subject of the " Rise and Fall of Christianity." Those discussions are conducted under the auspices of an evangelical committee. The subject was introduced by Mr. J. P. Peppercorn, a well-known teacher of drawing in the State schools, who resided in Balaclava Road, Caul field. He spoke in a calm and moderate manner for about 20 minutes, the time usually allowed to the opener of a discussion. The chairman (Rev. J. McCutcheon), in accordance with the custom of these gatherings, then invited any gentleman in the audience to refute the arguments advanced on the side of Christianity, and in response Mr. Valentine Browne stepped on to the platform. He commenced his reply with some remarks highly derogatory to the members of the Christian ministry. Mr. Peppercorn had seated himself at the chairman's table to take notes of his opponent's remarks, and he suddenly fell from his chair to the tloor, the chairman and Dr. Figg, of Williamstown, who chanced to be on the platform, came to his assistance, and as they lifted him up Dr. Figg discovered that life was extinct. Advancing to the front of the platform he explained to the audience that the lecturer of the evening was dead. The persons in the hall retired quietly and without any confusion. Constable Braithwaite, who was on duty in Bourke-street, was called in, but as Dr. Figg expressed his willingness to certify that an apoplectic seizure was the cause of death, the body was taken to the deceased's residence.