The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-08-25
A Layman's Views on Infidels
and their Work.

Thurlow Weed, who is now living in
New York at the advanced age of eighty
two years, has been well-known through
out the country, for more than half a
century, as a prominent politician. He is
still an active leader in one of the great
political parties, but of late years he has
devoted much attention to strictly phil
anthropic and religious matters. In let
ter to the NeaO York Herald, of the 4th
inst, he gives his views of the influence of
infdelity and of infdels upon society as
contrasted with that of Christianity and
Christian men. This expression of SEN
timent by layman occupying such a
position will command attention, and
cannot, fail to awaken reflection on the
part even of those who are preiudiced
against what they regard as professional
utterances. Mr.. Weed says:
Colonel Ingersoll, whom I do not
know, has the reputation of being gen
tleman of education, with well stored
mind and attractive personal manners,
who speaks fuently and eloquently. A
man thus gifted can do much good, but
much more evil, according to the princi-
pies espoused and the line of conduct
marked out for himself Colonel Inger-
soil, it seems upon his entrance into ac-
tive life, chose the left instead of the right
pathway, and becomes a reviler of, in
stead of believer in, religion which
has been making the world wiser, better.
and happier for almost nineteen centu-
RES. Without questioning Colonel In
gersolI's sincerity or impungning his mo-
tives, | am persuaded that if half the time
and labor expended in fortifying himself
with arguments against religion had
been devoted to an intelligent and i'm
partial consideration of the evidences
establishing its truths, the country would
have had instead Of reviler gifted fol-
lower of Him whose mission, labors, and
character, viewed merely from worldly
standpoint, inspire admiration, affection.
and gratitude. Is it not therefore pain
Jul to see men richly endowed perverting
their gifts, misusing their talents in pre-
sumptuous revilings and ribald testing
against Creator, and Saviour from
whom every earthly bounty and blessing
emanate?
No act of the Saviour's life and no
word lie ever uttered has been or can be
construed or tortured into hostility to
Jne Welfare and happiness of every mem
Der OF the human family. Human laws
are founded upon the divine law. All
mat concerns our happiness here and our
hopes OF happiness hereafter is derived
from the Scriptures On the other hand,
what has infdelity done for us? Who
profits by its teachings? After deprivinp
its followers Of their belief in future
now does it compensate them2 What
uoes 1t offer in exchange for life of i'm
mortality If, for example. Colonel In
geTsoll should be summoned to the bed
slde OF dying friend or relative. what
words OF comfort or Of hope could he
CHer1 of what service could he be to
mat stricken friend ? Would he aoora-
yate the suferings Of one whose 1ast
hours needed soothing by TELLING him
mere was nothing but the cold dark
grave awaiting him? This cruel theory
a. IePelled not only by revelation but by
, sle laws Of nature. Nature is instinct
WIN evidences and combinations of the
u O'ns OF revelation. The vegetable and