THE ARCHDEACON OF LIVERPOOL 357
Many instances of his prowess in this direction might be adduced.
There are people in Liverpool to-day who carry in their recollection an interesting battle of convic tions between Archdeacon Taylor and Mr Bradlaugh, called " Iconoclast." There had been a controversy between Bradlaugh and Dr Bailey, the founder of St Aiden s College, who had discussed together for several nights a subject which, from its method, the working men could not exactly follow. It was what would be called a categorical debate. At the close of the last meeting, Dr Taylor, who was present, was asked by a representative of the working men to deliver a lecture on the whole subject of Infidelity. The Doctor was moved to comply, and gave a lecture in the Teutonic Hall, Lime Street, on the subject of: " Man ; His Nature, Origin, Responsibility and Destiny v. Infidelity." Mr Bradlaugh at once rose, and said, " I challenge Dr Taylor to discuss that subject with me." There was some confusion in the assembly; but the Archdeacon promptly accepted the challenge. The lecture was delivered July 6, 1860.
The scene that ensued ought to be perpetuated in one of the historical pictures of Liverpool. Mr Bradlaugh, burly and confident, argued with much force that man must act according to the nature and development of his organisation, and was to that extent destitute of moral responsibility. In proof of his contention, he quoted the nineteenth and
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