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[Letter of Francis William Newman to George Jacob Holyoake] June 8/53 My Dear Sir, I was late in seeing a notice of the very gratifying social meeting at which a well-deserved testimonial [the purse of £250] was presented to you, at which I heartily rejoice. Much as I (physically) dislike such meetings, I should have felt it a duty and honour to attend, if I had been invited. This I say, not as though I ought to have been, but merely to vent my own feelings. However, it causes me the less regret that I had not this opportunity of adding my public testimony to your honour, since in my now forthcoming edition of the Phases of Faith I am naturally led to contrast your conduct to the coarse and profane attacks made on me by a Christian (!) opponent. I rejoice to feel that we ("atheists" and "infidels") are really—in no small measure through your aid—winning a higher moral place in controversies than our effete opponents.
Believe me, Dear Sir,
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