The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-16

in that answer? A. Good and bad are words
that have given me more trouble than any
other, because they are of such wide and
general application. This is the difficulty in
their analysis.
@. In these myths we not only have vice
and virtue represented, but also rewards and
punishments offered. How do you account
in your pathological system for the equivalent
of these words in the language A. There is
no reward or punishment; those words signi-
flying something instead of each act has its
necessary result, and neither the sact nor the
result is extraneous
Q. How do you account for the human
mind, In reasoning, going beyond the neces-
sites incidental to this life in its expression
and contemplation to seek a creating power?
A. Mind expresses absurdities as well as
truths.
q. How can mind act absurdly if its
existence be simply the result of a physical
organization being necessarily governed by
definite laws? A. Ifthere were no possibility Of
error, there would be no need of mind to
guide.
O. What is the need of guide when error
has no responsibilities with the death of
the body all existence ends A. This brings
up the reserve question. 1 have the mystery
of existence before me. In my Judgment,
that is the end of speculation.
Q. Is speculation beyond that legitimate ?
A. 1t is as to possibility, but not as to proba-
bility of fact. Social duties remain even if
| you believe that death is the end.
Q. Do you owe any obligations to any
being beyond this present life for conduct
here? A. feel the posi- bility of it, but the
evidence before nae is not sufficient to satisfy
me that do.
Q. Do you believe that there is any rule of
action in the conduct of life that man can
adopt which will enable him to appreciate his
responsibilities or understand the relations
that he may have to another world? A. Intel.
| ligence is the only guide.
Q. DO you believe that God has in any way
revealed Himself to man? A. AS come to
| see more of the wondrous relation of things,
the more the mystery deepens, but it does
not help me to any conclusion. The idea of
! reward for meritorious conduct would pre-
vent me from doing an act rather than the
| opposite. The word ''reveal' has, in my sys-
| tenn of mythology, given me great trouble
| for ten years, but now the truth dawns upon
me.
@. Is there any law, then, in this life, ex-
cept civil law, by which we are here amenable
| for reward or punishment A. Yes.
Q. Any reward or punishment that should
come from any other being except man him
| self? A. / see the drift of the question. It
| involves the same mystery.
Q. Would the fact of another existence,
and that existence one of rewards and punish
ments for your conduct in this life. make any
difference to you in regard to your acts A.
No; should do as intended without regard
to the existence of God or devil, heaven
or hell; have felt this pride during my
whole life; never wished to get anything
out of anybody.
CONCLUSIONS,
Your commissioners, therefore, in view of
the examination, are of the opinion that Ed
ward 81. Rulloff is in sound physical health
and entirely sane.
JOHN P GRAY,
S. OAKLEY VANDERpooL.
Albany, N. Y, May II, 1871.