1883-10-18ii

On Thursday September 18, 1883, Mr. Charles Watts spoke at the Central Hall on the subject of the Bible and Modern Thought:

“He held that, owing to the hallowed associations which are gathered around the Bible, and to the protection it receives from the State, the book has not been generally open to criticism as any other book setting forth the doctrines of a religion would be. Modern thought, however, took the book and dissected it, finding it much in error.”¹

¹ “Christianity’s Champion”

Hamilton Spectator.   September 18, 1883.

Mr. Watts went on to acknowledge that there was much good in the Bible, but that it was an ancient document, and he claimed the right to reject those parts of the book he felt were wrong. Christians, he felt, were prevented, by their belief in the Bible, from rejecting any portion of it.

After Mr. Watts` lecture, Rev. Dr. Burns of the Wesleyan Ladies` Colllege, spoke in opposition to Mr. Watts` views:

`He remarked that he respected Mr. Watts for the gentlemanly manner in which he dealt with his subject, and agreed with him in some things. The modern Christian was not bound by any such limitations of though as stated by Mr. Watts, but claimed the right to think for himself regarding the Bible and questions of religion, and he, personally, was quite willing to concede that right to Mr. Watts and every other man. That which Mr. Watts had said, which was true, was chiefly of the abuses of Christianity, and was no argument against the system itself. Christianity is known by its fruits, in making men and women nobler and better.<sup>`1</sup>

In reply to Dr. Burns, Mr. Watts said that Free Thinkers, as well as Christians, were devoting their lives to benefitting their fellow man, and that Christians should not take sole credit for such efforts.

After the lecture, a Spectator reporter had a brief interview with Mr. Watts :

``Why do you prefer advocating free thought to that of orthodox religion.`

` `Why? There is a great difference between the interpretation of the word free thought today and as it was regarded 50 years ago. During the latter period, free thought was nothing more or less than a rejection of all phases of religion. Now it adopts the eclectic principle of selecting the good from all faiths, and professing that which is practicable to a system of upright conduct. The free-thinker of today, in giving up all past guides, selects for his present guide a high moral code. It has been proved that free-thinkers are the only men that really think deeply.’

“ ‘How do you like Hamilton?’

“ ‘Exceedingly well. I am agreeably surprised at the intellectual attention given my lectures here, even from those who differed from me in thought.’ ”²

² “Free Thought in America : Charles Watts’ Opinion on What the Next Four Years Will Bring.”

Hamilton Spectator.     September 18, 1883.