The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-02

that man does not believe in the Ptole-
maic system OF astronomy, and we yet
need to know whether he believes In the
Copernican system the laws of keller,
or NBwToN's Principia. SO, In like man
ner. tell us that class OF men have annihi-
lated the Deity, thrown away the Bible,
aud demolished religion, and we must yet
ask them to agree in telling us what we
are 10 believe In this world, where belief is
fundamental condition of existence.
We have had to make these observa-
tons, TO accompany few of the newest
letters, some OF them very curious, which
we have received from inhdels, and which
are elsewhere printed. We have already
partly answered ID. &. BIS question,
"what is an infideli" and we need only
add that the two definitions Of the inden-
mite word "inndel" are given In his die
tionary because the word Ia frequently
used in both OF the two different senses he
mentions. Thus there is domestic inf
deity or infdelity TO trust, rs well as
theological in0delity. We do not of course
differ with ID. G. d. in his opinion that in
fidels may be intellectual and virtuous
men; but II that kind Of argument be used
forcbly used In favor OF Christianity, for
there are certainly many intellectual and
vhtuous people who are Christians. ID. G. d.
desires us TO tell him IL we ever knew Of
any one free thinker" who was converted
to popular Christanity;" but, instead of
giving the cases within our own knowl-
edge we must refer him TO the clergy, who
can furnish him larger supply Of facts.
One OF the most curious Of the letters
is that from "Truth Seeker" He elabo-
rates fantastical hypothesis, of which he
is not the originator, that the New Tesla
ment has an occult or esoteric meaning,
and is, in fact, system Of astronomic
mythology. We have struck out from his
letter two or three improper or irreveren-
tial words; but otherwise we have allowed
him TO set forth his notion in his own way.
We shall not now take the pains to ami
hilate his astronomical Christianity, which
not only puts the author OF the Christian
faith into eclipse, but makes the apostles
| zodiacal signs. This hypothcsis-if we can
dignity the notion Of the "solar myth
with such a name-is one OF hundred
onigmatical hypotheses that have been
applied TO the Scriptures by fanciful specu-
lators; but they have no support In his
tory, exegess, or logical reason. A similar
line of speculation has been taken in refer
ence TO many of the othDf ancient books
| of the human race-Egyptian, Buddhist
| Grecian, and Scandinavian-but modern
research has quite demolished most Of these
whimseys, including those which relate TO
tue Had of HOMER. We entirely differ from
| UTrnth Snnlsnt." m his n a. ratuarlxa n n
the character and influence Of the teach
ings of the Gospels. He docs not deal
fairly with the passages which he quotes /;
but we are sure that we do not need to
argue over them for the sake of our read
ers, who have themselves the privilege of
| perusing the Scriptures Before asking us
| 10 agree with him, we should like 10 sec
evidence that the body of nfidels agree
| with him, or that the next one who comes
along will not bring another notion TO
smash him TO pieces.
Another of our inhdel letter writers, Mr..
A. M. MEAD. has but one fault to find with
CHRIST, which is that he destroyed prop
orty by causing herd OF swine to run into
the sea. But If Mr. MEAD Will read care
fully the accounts of this incident given in
the Gospels of MATTHEW, MARK, and
LUKE, he will SEQ that II was the devils
seeking refuge in the swine after they had
been cast out OF their two human victims,
that caused the swinish herd to commit
suicide in the sea.
Another inndcl letter writer, Mr.. GEO.
NJ. TULwELI. tells Us that he has been con-
nrmed in his inhdelity by reading that
part Of the Gospel In which CHRIsr said
that his advent would produce discord in
the world. But In saying this, CHRIST
merely meant that the truth which he
brought and OF which lie was the embodi-
ment, would meet with opposition, aud
consequently produce strife. The ap-
pearance in the world Of any new truth
scientific or philosophical rs wei
as moral or religious, is sure tC
raise II storm. All the powers OF Rome, al
the prejudices of heathendom, all the i'll
terests OF established religions, were OPP
posed to JESUS CHRIST, and there could be
no peace between him and them lie wa!
bound to destroy them. and they were
bound TO fight for life. In this way IN
"sent Il sword on earth the sword u
truth, which he elsewhere promised shout,
ultimately give beautiful and permanen
peace 10 the world.
Another infidel letter writer, w. W.
accepts all the moral teachings OF CnRlsT
but cannot accept CHRIST himself, ant
is dissatisfied with the modern Christian
Church. His letter does not call for an!
comment
Another inndel I'D. NJ. b." sends us {
letter of iutolerable length, which we have
had TO curtail. 1t had too many repeti
tons, aud contained nearly one hundre'
questions 10 which we were expected L
reply We ourselves could ask Ave hun
dred questions which would puzzle all tn
theological doctors of Chrstendom ara al
the inhdels that everlive As for his argu
ments, they are all very familiar to thos
who have read the chief infdel writers o
the last hundred years, or OF tho presen
day. If We were TO undertake TO debat
with him in his own dIffusive fashion, W
would occupy all of to-day's SUN in reply
ing to the letter which we have cut down
We give him space for the sake OF thos
, unacquainted with the grounds OF lnhdel
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