The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-12-22
ISsERsObL ANSWERED.
THE ISFTDBL ORATOR MEETS BIS MATCH IL
BEAUTIF VI RHETORIC-AS OPPONENT
WHO UsEs MS OWN WEAPONS.

No one who has ever heard Robert Iugar-
soil lecture. will deny that he is a rare orator.
His word painting is wonderful. his elO-
quence enhancing. Thus far il his crusade
against Christianity this sksptic has appear
ed in the eyes of his followers giant against
pigmies. He has encountered an adversary
however, seemingly in every way bis equal,
even in ais own Deculiarities OF rhetoric, to
judge rom the following extract from a ser
mon delivered on last Sunday week, on the
occasion Of the dedication OF the Church Of
the Anuunciation at Kansas City. Mo, by
Rev Father David s Pheian, Of St. Louis,
wei known as the editor of the Western
WGtchnldn Having asserted that The idea
Of the soul and the faith in its Immortality
must have come down from above. as earth
could not have taught it, nor could death
have inspired it." the reverend Father said !:
II there is hereafter then life is one long de-
20 fnd and how best 70 enjoy pleasure II there Is
no hereafter, virtue Is deceit sud her0ism is a
lie. See that young man bleeding from hun
ured wounds he died In defense OF q sisters
honor. II there is no hereafter. that noblest Of
deeds viii 20 forever unrswarded. See that
young sister "a the hospital bending over a victim
OF the plague tomorrow she viii succumb. and a
devotion II there IS no hereafter. her charity
met n sOrTy reQultal. See that man holding an
affrighted child at the window Of burning build
Ing ne holds II long enough for sturdy CON-
panion 20 grasp IL from below. and he then fall e
back INTO hs hery tomb. Il there is no hereafter,
such sacrifice j. hearsless and uumeanfng cruelty.
See that tr1sp OF soldiers marching By 70 the
hearing Of the drum. Their country has called
ana tfey 20 % defend her honor on the battlefield
They follow that flag into the thick OF the hght,
and when the bugle sounds the retreat few return
from the carnage. Those brave soldiers died vi tn
their face to the foe, and smile was stamped on
their features IN death. II there is hereafter,
their herOism suicide and their courage a
mOckery Of fate. Earthly life 10 closed in death I;
the grave terminates all conEort and association
Win things Of time bat, Hafted above the pier,
the wreck. the tomb. floats the sweet Yeice Of God
saying Il am the life"
Contrast the above with the following
from one of Colonel Ingersoll's s lectures, and
beautiful and tender as Is the language of
the infidei orator. that OF Father Phelan
loses nothing by the comparison
Next to eternal JOY next 10 being forever with
those we love and those who have loved Us next
70 that IS TO be wrapped in the dreamlike drapery
OF eternal death. Upon the shadoWy shores Of
death the Of trouble casts no wave. Ewes that
have been curtainsd by the everlasting dark will
never know again the touch Of tears. Lips that
have been touched by the eternal sfleLcc will
do not break The dead DO not weep.
The Kansas City Journal publishing the
sermon, saws that its subject matter was
only equaled by the grace and charm Of its
delivery. 1t is hardly likely that Mr.. lnger-
soil viii attempt to riCicule this Catholic
priest as he has so many assumed defenders
Of the Christian faith. Father Phelan IS ap-
parently a very different adversary from
some OF the pulpit mountebanks Mr.. Inger-
soil has encountered, whose driveling senti-
ment and limping logic do more to injure
the cause Of TeligOnths even Mr.. IngersolPs
insidious arts and eloquent periods. Father
Phelan Is master of the weapons Mr.. Iuger-
soil uses aud the infdel orator must eat por-
ridge from bis own dish in an encounter with
this Knight OF the Cross. Philadelphia Re
cord 17th.