PREFACE. THE following discussion was conducted in writing, the
letters appearing, at intervals of a fortnight, in the pages of the
Sccidar Rmiau. The two disputants had met in oral debate on the
platform several times rcviously, when the same questions had been
dealt with. But it was thought that Inore justice could be done to
the views respectively advocated, by sitting down to write in the
calm atmosphere of the Study than by extemporaneous speaking amid
the noise, tumult, and excitement that usually prevail at public
meetings. The result is now before the reader. The discussion was
conducted during eleven months, the first letter appearing on
November sth, 1880, and the last on October rst, 1881. That either
disputant has made out the best possible case for the side
espoused, is more than he can hope for. He has done his best in the
space at his disposal-limited, after all, when the extensive nature
of the subjects is taken into consideration. Each writer has
studiously avoided anything like er sonality and abuse, and has
always kept in view the fact that he was discussing principles, not
men. That occa sionally strong language may have been employed, and
warmth of feeling displayed, is possible but no offensive epithets
have been used by one disputant of the other. That the follo ring
pages may be carefully read and studied, is thc carnest desire of
both. London, Nozember s f 1 IT is difficult to compare Secularism
with Christianity, because the latter is a system complete in
itself, which the former is not. Christianity is contained in the
New Testament, and any one m110 desires to discover what it is has
only to peruse that volume for himself. But where is the system
ofSecularism to be found In the writings of Secularists 1 find no
system. There are maxims, statements, precepts, etc., but they do
not form a can sistent whole, And, moreover, Secularists themselves
differ with regard to many points of teaching. Such differences are
fatal to the whole thing, because outside of these there exists no
authority to which an appeal can be made. How am 1 to learn what
Secularism is wher, those only who are competent to speak upon the
srrbjcc are not agreed among themselves If Mr. Varts announces
certain views which he terms Secularism, why should I accept thein
as such when they are rejected by ather Secularistic writers To
give an ildustration, Mr. G, J, Holyoake says The most attractive
explanation offered of religion is that it is the loftiest and
crowning speculaiion which illuminates the field of human duty and
the dim path of human destiny hta nm X, ., p., 304. Is this true,
because, if it be, the present discussion is uncalled for, since 1
agree with every word of it But both Mr. Watts and Mr. Bradlaugh
have written far
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