The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-06-19
INGERSOLL'S IDEAS,
As They Strike Baltimore Minister.

Rev. DR.. William 7. Brantly preached
last night in the Seventh Baptist Church
Saratoga and Paca streets, on the subject
of "An Infidel over a Cofin," being dis
cussion of the grafton of Colonel Robert
G.. Ingersoll at the funeral of his brother
Hon Ebon G. Jngersoll, in Washington
City, on Tuesday last. DIR. Brantly adj
dressed himself directly to the issues in-
volved in the creed of the deceased a:
stated by Col. Ingersoll: "He believed
that happiness was the only good, reason
the only torch, justice the only worship
humanity the only religion, and love the
only priest" The funeral, DR.. Brantly
said, was a singularly sad one, for there
the Bible was closed and there was nc
voice of prayer heard in the house or al
the grave. Flowers there were in profu-
sion, but no recognition of the Being that
made them. The consultations of religion
we are accustomed to seek were carefully
excluded. One of the sad things there
was that it was the funeral of an infdel.
The only officiating priest was a free
thinker of the most pronounced type, who
has not hesitated to proclaim his senti-
ments all over the land, seeking to inject
his sceptical poison into the minds of the
weak and credulous. He was, as it were,
a missionary in6dcl. His speech over the
coffin, beautifully worded, has been given
just as it came from the mouth of the
speaker. The speech has been sent on
its mission of evil with every advantage
that could be given by beauty of style
and choice of language. Suppose men
lived according to the theory that happi-
ness is the only good. The question as
to any action by a man would simply be
how does it affect his happiness or minis
ter to his enjoyment? The questions of
justice, honor or respect for the rights of
others are thrown away entirely. What
would.be our position if this rule obtained
in Heaven as we'll as earth? If Christ in
Heaven had only said, ~ am happy
here" He would not for our sake have
become the man of sorrows and acquaint-
ed with grief. Where would be the pa
triotism and self-sacrifce under such q
creed? But is reason the only torch I?
Close the Bible and what would reason
tell? We should see millions born into
the world and march on and on, and
meet the same dark conclusion, called
the grave, where they fall and disappear
from our sight. Reason gives no answer
to the question, Can man live hereafter
beyond the blind pagan groupings, which
say possibly or probably he may? Rea-
son can only disquiet or terrify by its un-
certainties, not as to what will be, but
what may be. The torch goes out just
where we need it most. That humanity
is the only religion, is what an in6del
wrote in Paris, and added that death was
but an eternal sleep. 1t is indeed right
to be kind to your fellow men, but if that
is all, of what avail will it be in the hour
of death when we need friend stronger
than man? Justice as the only worship
might be admissible if men were only
Just, or for angels who are pure, but for
fallen man he would ask justice to be
tempered with mercy. That love is the
only priest, with the creed put forth, is
absurd, for we want no priest if there is
no God, and no sacrifice if there is no sin.
He did not wonder with this creed that
Col. Ingersoll should say that every life
must close with tragedy, deep, dark and
sad, but how gloriously is that repudiated
in the revelation of the Bible, that death
with the Christian is only the throwing
off of an earthly tabernacle, under which
he groaned, for a temple not made with
hands, eternal in the Heavens. ."-Bahi-
more ,Sun.