Huntsville gazette., 1881-10-29
Wayman OH lngersell.
A Synopsis of Lecture Delivered at
A. NJ E. Church Monday
Night, Oct. 24.

Night, Oct. u.
A fair audience listened to Bishep
Wnyman's lecture on Ingersoll, deliv-
cred at the African Methodist Church
last Monday evening. The Bishop
spoke from manuscript, prefacing his
discourse with the statement that the
lecture was prepared after lngersolfs
effort in Baltimore several years ago,
the white ministers of that city giving
him access to their libraries and other
wise assisting him in its preparation.
Since, he had delivered the lecture in
many Of the prominent cities, devoting
the proceeds to needy churches. In
delivery the lecturer was deliberate
and forciLle. The opportunity the
theme offered for the display of argu-
ment, wit, humor and pathos was fully
embraced by the speaker. On the
whole it was an effort which by its
sound argument and plain array of
facts is well worthy Of study. To the
courtesy Of Miss 0. l.. Smith, Princi-
pal Of Rust Institute, our readers are
indebted for the following report Of
the lecture. 1t was prepared from
notes taken on the occasion, and while
there are necessary omissions, the
line Of argument and the principal
facts are given. 1t is well worthy ci
preservation:
Goliath of Gath Slain by David,
We are told in scripture that Goliath had
detied the army of the living God. King
Saul was terrified and had not the courage
to meet him No one but the shepherd boy
David would venture to 60. Saul gave tc
David bis armor, but David being dissatis-
fed. took few stones and with his sling
disabled the giant, and then cut off his
head
In attempting to meet tpe modernG Goliath,
Col. r. Ingersoll, Ishall not depend upon
the strength of my own eloquence, but
with the sling of faith, and the rocks OF
truth venture to meet him, and with his
own sword, l shall cut off his head, and
go on my way rejoicing.
Col. r. Ingersoll has reaped an extensive
reverence by his blaspheny. He has used
Hunt toldt9and Payne in his support. In
his intemperate way, he has attacked the
doctrine and holy precepts of the Bible. A
more dangerous assailer of the Scriptures,
has never disgraced the pages OF history.
In his lecture ON '.Hell" he makes q clas-
ifcatien of certain passages of scripture
which he maintains are in favor of idolitry,
slavery, polygamy etc. In this lecture he
makes most blasphemous assault on the
Bible. For logical reason he uses low,
profane sport, for discussion-protest. He
claims that there is no necessity for the ex-
istence of the Bible, that reason is oil suffi.
cient. M
Did reason and nature ever teach the way
of salvation and human destiny? During
the Golden Age what did Augustus or
Cicero know OF the resurrection OF the dead,
in the Immortality of the soul? Their al
tars smoked amid debaucbery and hcen-
tiousness. Once and awhile some great
man like Socrates would stand out solita-
ry star. Egypt, the cradle Of civilization,
worshipped oxen and birds. The Druid
priests on the shores of England plunged
their knives in human hearts and sacrificed.
The world outside of Palestine was sunk in
gloom. God inspired holy men to write.
He guided them. They held the trumpet
through which he talked The ffty-four
gentlemen who gave us the present version
of the Bible were the equals if not the SUI
periors of Mr.. Ingersoll. We have an in
fallible and inspired book. Empires and
governments may be annihilated, but the
word of eur God shall stand forever. Mr..
Ingersoll can not see why the Bible is need
ed. but charged it with supporting slavery
and polygamy.