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This is an historical record of a major public religious debate that took place in Dublin, Ireland, in 1838. A multi-day controversial discussion (often described as a nine-day event), it was held in the Round Room of the Rotunda, Dublin, spanning from May 29, 1838, through early June. The debate pitted Rev. Thomas Maguire (a Roman Catholic priest, often referred to as Fr. Tom Maguire), defending Catholic doctrine against Rev. T. D. Gregg (full name Tresham Dames Gregg, a Protestant clergyman of the Church of Ireland), arguing from a Protestant perspective.The central topic was whether the Roman Catholic Church was the true church established by Christ, along with related issues of doctrine, scripture, tradition, papal authority, and Protestant critiques of Catholicism (common in 19th-century Irish religious controversies amid tensions between Catholic and Protestant communities).The report was published shortly afterward (around 1839, such as this copy) and is presented as an "authenticated" (verified or stenographically recorded) transcript of the speeches, arguments, and exchanges. It was compiled and published with involvement from one side (often associated with Maguire's perspective in surviving editions), though both participants' contributions are included.This "Church Edition", is the verbatim transcript of all nine days, and is the first Protestant edition of the debate, (Gregg's side), as evidenced by Mr. Gregg's certifying notation in his own hand, printed in facsimile on the verso page adjacent the title page. The first Catholic edition was released in the same year and published by Coyne (which is NOT this copy). This copy includes the full transcript of both "sides" as noted above. Who won? Catholics thought Maguire won and Protestants thought Gregg won. A very fascinating piece of church history.Bound in brown textured cloth, covers are plain. Spine has been rebacked with the remainder of the original backstrip affixed to the spine with an off-white paper label with black lettering. Deckled head. Contents include: Index, Controversial Discussions of alternating speeches of Mr. Gregg and Mr. Maguire across all the days of the debates, a "Postscript Explanatory" and appendix at the center of the book (located between the 5th debate date on Saturday, June 2, 1838 and the sixth debate day, Monday, June 4, 1938), and finally, "Prediscussional Correspondence". xiii, to page 361 pp., x (appendix), then pagination continues through page 516, and concludes with the Prediscussional Correspondence, liii.CONDITION: Ex-library with two library identification marks: one on the spine and a stamp on the title page. Moderate external wear. Hinges are strong and the binding is quite sound. Leaves have lightly toned with mild foxing and some minor stains. Predominantly unmarked except for numerical notation on the title page and occasional marginalia (line) in pencil within the text. A fascinating, solid copy. Full refund if not satisfied.
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