" ANTI-INFTD^.'» OEUC. *■T K."

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9252, 30 November 1891, Page 2

" ANTI-INFIDEL. CRUSADE "

LECTURES BY MR ISAAC .iALUY. Mr Isaac Selby (I ho Frecthought lecturer, now a Christian minister) delivered the first his of "Anti-Infidel Crusade " leotures in tho Alexandra Hall on Sunday afternoon. The lecture was entitled li From Atheism to Christianity, and what I learnt on the way." The Rev J. McDonald occupied the chair, and, after a hymn being sung and prayer offered, introduced the lecturer. Mr Selby then delivered his lecture, which proved most interesting and instructive. He first of all informe 1 his auditors that for some years he was a freethought lecturer, and in that capacity he had travelled through the colonies, but he had returned to the Christian faith through conviction, and was now endeavoring to stem the flood of infidelity, which for a long period he had helped along. As a reformed freethinker his case was not an isolated ' one, and to show this ho gave the names of many men who had returned from freethought to the Christian faith. The lecturer then went on to show that freethinkers during the last ten years had retrograded in so far as existence as a united body was concerned. In proof of this he instanced the building of the Lyceum in Dunedin, and its final sale by the trustees to wipe off their liabilities ; and the rise and fall of bodies of freethinkers or secularists in Sydney, Melbourne, and Newcastle, in the colonies ; and also in Great Britain. In conclusion, the lecturer contrasted the Christian faith with the freethought creed, and advanced most logical reasons that Christianity, if practised as laid down in the bible, vvould make us happier and better than all the secular philosophy ever enunciated. Throughout the lecture Mr Selby commanded rapt attention by his fluent and eloquent speaking. The lecture showed that Mr Selby was well read in the subjects on which he spoke, and his style of speaking, with appropriate gesture, stamped hisi as a finished orator. A hymn was then sung by the congregation, and the Chairman pronounced tho benediction. Mrs Knight presided at the piano. SUNDAY EVENING LECTURE Tho Alexandra Uall was crowded on Sunday evening on tho occasion of Mr Selby's s cond lecture entitled '' Moses and Darwin ; or have we come from the monkey?" The Rev G. Can- was in the chair; and after a hymn wasjsung, and prayer offered, he introduced Mr Selby. Mr Selby began his lecture by sketching the life and works of Charles Darwin, the great scientific writer, whose book, " The Origin of Species," has caused so much interest in the world. Mr Selby said that Darwin was a great man, and well deserved to lie beside England s greatest sons in Westminster Abbey, but on the question of tho development of man he could not agree with Darwin, but accepted the Mosaic view of creation of mankind as the true one. The lecturer then dealt with views adduced by Darwin to support his theory that man has been evolved from lower and simpler animal life, and he made comparisons to show that such a theory was not at all feasible. He then referred to the greatness of Moses, as evidenced by his splendid laws and acts. On the whole the lecture was decidedly interesting, and was further proof of Mr Selby's ability as an orator. At the close of the lecture a hymn and the doxology were given. Miss Okey presided at the piano. LECTURE TO-NIGHT. The third lecture of the series will be given to-night (Monday), when Mr Selby will take as the subject of his discourse "C. H. Spurgeonand C. Bradlaugh; or two great men of our times compared and contrasted." Those who have not yet heard this eloquent speaker should not fail to be present to-night.