, 1878-12-05
AN ANSWER TO INGERSOLL.
LContinneh from PAGE 8. ]

! Clent history and come down TO the ChrtS-
tian era-or further yet, down to this year
OF grace, 1878. All, here they have to
meet facts. Here they are forced TO say,
as they consider the gorieS of the Christ
| ian civilization: "What hath God
wrought" These things are marvellous
in their eyes Why do they not join issue
with us on the philosophy and morality OF
the Sermon on the Mount, on the trans.
ccndent teachings and immaculate exam
pie of the young Na2arene. who spake as
never man spake? Why not come down
to these days and find some flaw in the
Gospel which we preach? Show wherein
it is contrary To reason and does not scat.
ter with both hands wide open the most
precious gifts among msn. Let them de-
clare the mistakes of the prophet of whose
coming Moses spake when lie told the
hosts of Israel "Ihe Lord thy God will
raise up unto thee prophet like unto me,
unto him ye shall hearkeu." That pro-
phet and his teachings are present, living
issues. He said the law came by Moses.
He said Moses lifted up the sepent IN the
wilderness. He said, il they hear not Mo-
,es and tile prophets neither will they
hear me. Jesus spakc of Moses and no
one convicted him of sin. Here is where
the Gehate should be joined, but no, these
deriderS can find nothing for wit, milcry
and sarcasm in that fragrant life which
caused children to shout HoSannal, and
poor women TO eXclaim blessed is the
womb that bare thee and the paps which
thou hast sucked" Why creep away
back to Moses and the deugc and the tow
er of Babel? Were it possible to prove
that the patriarchs never lived, that Moses
is n myth Or his writings Il record "of the
barbaric legends of his time" that would
not affect the abstract teachings of the
Christian faith as the source Of the Iurest
morality and nObIeSt virtues; the fountain
of civilization, the grandest gift from the
Source Of all Wisdom to his creature man.
But make no such concession. God did
spelk'by Moses aud Noses wrote nothing
but what larmonizes with truth Moses
may have and no doubt did make some
mistakes, As when he slew the Egyptian.
though patriotism prompted the act, and
when in his impatience he struck the rock
twice. tor which God eXacted penalty;
but if Moses, learned in Nil the wisdom OF
the Egyptians, did make a mistake, is it
not probable, or at least possible, that the
man who is not learned In all the wisdom
of America may make many mistakes?
We therefore claim the right to judge be-
tween the Hebrew patriarch aud the man
from Illinois.
Let us analyze, ETC., some of the asser-
tions made in this second section of his
lecture. First, the speaker tell lis he 'can-
not imagine deity that will hold him re-
spousible for his thoughts" Here is Il
mistake. God does hold men responsible
for their thoughts, aud wien those
thoughts are expressed, the responsibility
increases. ''rhe thoughts OF the wicked
are All abomination. by thy words
thou shalt be justified and by thy words
thou shalt be condemned" For every
idle word God will require an account OH
the day OF Judgment" Oh, do not make
this mistake. 1t is our thoughts that pu-
rfy or defile us. 1t is the expression of
those thoughts" that elevates or depraves
mankind. 1t man has right to think
as he pieases, he has no right to say what
he pleases, however honest his convictions
may be. If lie doubt that as applied to
Gods law, let him test it with the laws of
men. Let him Use opprobrlous epithets
about his neighbors; let him talk vilely,
though it may be his honest expression
simply because he is vile, and he will hnd
that the law of man restraints him in the
expression Of his thoughts; and it is sheer
nonsense to suppose that 'Od will not hold
him responsible. Avoid this mistake.
might say much upon this theme. The
most danning vices have their home ia
the heart, in the thoughts and man may
be utterly corrupt though he be deaf MS a
stone, dumb as an adder; he may be as
iull Of corruption as charnel house is
with worms and rOttenness that surely
is bad enough--but when It comes to
opening the mouth and letting out this
pollution; oh there is IN awful response
bility. Hence the Bible most wisely
teaches "think no evil" lest to the first
heavy sin we add heavier by expressing
our evil thoughts. Again exhort you,
avoid this mistake.
Next what shall VIC say of this profound
utterance. ut makes no difference
whether the Mosaic record were inspired