News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-05-25
" TaImadgeian Theology"
HYDE PARK, May %, 1882.


MeSSrS. Editors -
''Talmadgeian Theology" is the sub
iect of a recent lecture delivered by
Robert IngefsQll in the Boston Thea
tire. The Post of May LIST, in COM
menting upon it says: 1.-The theatre
was literally packed by an audience
which vastly enjoyed the new lecture"
he was frequently interrupted by
''great applause" -'' tremendous ap-
plause and laughter" whenever it was
thought he had made some particular
happy hit at religion and the Bible.
Now, do not pretend to any of the
discriminating talents of Boston au-
dience, but | do protest, as one not
having the fear of Bob Ingersoll be-
fore me, against his implous and
senseless assault upon all that we in
stinctively reverence and cherish. In
an age of oiYiii2atiun aud progress,
such as the world has never seen be-
fore, it does not seem possible that
any man can be found ready to revlle
that religion that has been the instru-
ment of their accomplishment, for
Mrs Browning has truly said, ''Fully
developed Christianity is civilization
perfected" His attack upon the Bible
is the same as has been made i'll all
ages-thc- 4s.,nae garSiins,s from the
Old Testament, picking out passages
most suited to his purpos<-as 1t is
said the Devil can quote scripture
for his own use-the same pains 10 ac-
quaint himself with what he thinks
evil in the Book, to bring mp an argu-
ment against it-appears III Its uSual
meanness. He tells his audience OF
what he calls the ten teachings OF the
Bible, polygamy, slavery, &C., as II
they we're not opposed by the whole
general tenor and spirit of that BOOK ;
BY the law gwen by Moses, which has
furnished the most perfect standard oil
morality, and from which the most en-
lightened of all nations have borrowed
their ideas of law and justice. When
we think of the thousands that listen
to this mans teachings, it is not SO
much subject of regret that he alb
lures all creeds together with the Bible,
but that he should attempt to rob the
universe of its God. Because evil is
in the world he says he does not be
lieye God ever created it =, and though
we do not just understand its presence
here, we yet believe with the poet that
goods greatness flows round our In
completeness, and good will someho"
; be the final goal of ILL.," 1t is un'
fortunate for the world, and still
: more so for Mr.. Ingersoll, that his
powerful mind cannot comprehend
e how "God created the world out o
nothing" as he says; but as it is
It problem to which its Creator alon'
u holds the key which He has never seel
fit to consign to wiser and netIe
= minds, we see no way but that he to-
), must forego the qualification OF know
T. ing all about it little longer-perhap
y until at the bar of that offended Go
a which he denies he shall 'know as II
20 is known" He is for making ciea
re sweep of things, and says ''let til
Bible 90, let the church crumble, &c
O. and seems in the moral world like on
es of those blind agents of destruction
ID the blizzard, which, though nev'
. known to build up the smallest thing
throws down and destroys everythln:
and instead of serving any purpose
use or beauty, leaves nothing but DIES
lation and ruin in its track. "
might meet all this mans argumen
against religion, which are inde'
specious and flimsy, but it would ma
this article too long, which may be
ready so. But we are glad to see tn
the furor created by his power as
orator, is on the wane, and senslt
people are beginning to be disgust
with his efforts to despoil the VOL
of every sentiment of reverence a
the press to censure where it has
plauded.
In closing we would ask, To wi
end would this great prophet OF IL
deity take God and religion from
~, and what would he give us in exchar
II for that which through so many c.
tch turtles has been to the world Like
I5c. shadow of a rock in weary lant
rds Is it that he may cheer and lift
, nGr sspoor humanity" of which he pr;1
I at so much? Is it to tighten the gl
reat burden of sin and suffering; to C
Par fort the meurner, or cheer his
s ses' heart when death is drawing ne
civ VIII IL DC coliiioi" w ms
lrn- soul, when nearing the dark V
e of when Hthe heart shrinks with fear,
e to the limbs fall to know there is IL
, ann to whom they can lift the heart
have pray? But believe that no soul
e of ever succeeded in divorcing itself
,eral Ito Creator, for it must acknowle
'eaif' him in thought, even if the lips d'
like the man who exclaimed, II al
less infdel, thank God" S. E.