Excerpt from Is Christianity True? A Series of Lectures Delivered in Central Hall, Manchester

HE present volume owes its origin to the Rev. S. F T Collier, Superintendent Of-the Manchester and Salford Wesleyan Mission. He had been much impressed with the keen interest in the claims of Christianity which had been excited among the thoughtful artisans Of the North by various recent attacks, and especially by the articles of Mr. Robert Blatchford in the Clarzon. To take full advantage of this quickened interest, Mr. Collier proposed a series of Sunday afternoon lectures in the Central Hall, Oldham Street, Manchester, which is well accustomed to a crowd of some people. Mr. Collier devoted his efforts to securing an audience Of the right kind, and I was privileged to help him by selecting subjects and inviting lecturers. The lectures were advertised under the general title - adapted from the last words Of Mr. Blatchford's book - 'is Christianity True 7' They met with immediate success, beyond our utmost expectations From December, 1903, to W hitsuntide of the present year, the Hall has been well filled, Often crowded, and there have been generally at least a thousand working men, the majority, so far as we could judge, unaccustomed to attend Christian services Of any other kind. The lecturers have been specially invited to deal with subjects which they have made their own, and to present the case for Christianity thereon. They rightly gauged the character of their audience when they went straight to the heart of an abstruse subject, stripping it Of technicalities, but making no pretence Of coming down to the supposed level of their hearers. The close attention with which they were followed rewarded their estimate Of the intelligence they appealed to. It may be added here that every lecture was prefaced by a hymn and prayer, and by a collection for the social work of the Mission. Mr. Collier has found, from the experience of many years, that the Lancashire man prefers to pay for what he gets, and these lectures proved no exception.

A peculiarly interesting feature of the course was the Con ference which followed every lecture. A large room adjoining the Hall was usually crowded with a standing audience who kept the lecturer busy with questions for any time up to an hour. We found in these Conferences just what men were thinking, their misconceptions of the Churches' teaching, at least as much as their difficulties concerning problems which no one can presume that he has solved. Generally speaking, the questions were eminently intelligent and reasonable. We have felt throughout that not a little has been gained by the mere readiness to answer all comers courteously and frankly, regarding our questioners as having an abundant right to feel difficulties and to hear how Christians would answer them. Certainly, on my own experience, not only in Man chester, I can recommend to my fellow-preachers the judicious application Of the Conference idea. The safe entrenchment of the pulpit has its own uses, but it is intensely suspect with many whom we want to reach. There are thoughtful and not unsympathetic men by the thousand who would gladly listen to a presentation of Christian truth which comes to them, not on authority, but as the frank appeal Of mind to mind, with every Opportunity of serious question in reply.

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