The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1884-04-01
: MISTAKES OF ROBERT.
a Sermon in Reply to Inger-
soil on Orthodox Re-
ligion, by
Rev. Allen j. Van Wagner at the
Congregational Church
sunday Evening.

Sunday nisht-gsllery and aisles, and
large numbers had to be turned away, who
sought entrance-to hear Mr.. Van Wsg-
ner's reply TO lngersoli's last lecture. We
give but brief report OF an address of
over an hour in length. Mr.. Van Wag-
ner hogan by saying that he had none but
the kindes, feelings towards Mr.. lngersoli /;
that he would not harm a hair Of his head
nor say anything regarding him bitter or
unkind. He would do a kindness for him
as freely as for any one, wished him well,
and recognized his many good qualities.
SECRET or INGERsOLL's SUCCESS
Waat is the secret Of his success? IL
dors not lay in any one thing, but In II
combination of qualities and gitS. He
has splendid physique, a fine personal
presence, a trained voice, Ell attractive
manmr, wonderful magnetic power, in
short he is a great orator. There Is an APP
paIcui earneStness too abOnt the man
which rIrrieS his audience with him. tie
is vehement, bold, da- hing, added To all
ne is bubriIng over with good humor
Pre- nee. voice. manner, wit, pathOS, fan
Cy, dic!iOn, these give power 20 a man
who's. uiterances otherwise would fail to
command the attention Of the people.
His OBJECT.
His oi ject he clearly, vehementIy and re-
peaIe,ily .sirms, is To destroy the Christian
religion; blot out the Bible and the church
He is destroyer. He takes away every
thing and gives nothing He robs the peo-
pie OF their most precious hopes, and gives
nothing but jokes, and 81 don't know"
HARM He Il DOING.
He is doing great harm in the world
The thinking classes are not affected BY
him, for they see through his fslIacies and
recognize his misstatements and uBfarnesS.
Scholars and thinkers do not read his lpc.
lures. They see his super6ciality, and do
not count him as one of their number
But young men who have not read widely,
and the masses are carried away by his
brillian' rhetoric aud bold assertions, and
sids-spliIting wit. Many of them become
his followers and retail his Jokes and glo-y
in being inideis
His LECTURE
Mr.. lngersoii lately delivered lecture
in Kansas City which the BAZOo gave to
It's readers this morning Hundreds who
listen To me tonight have doubtless read
this lecture to-day, and feel il TO he my
duty to lay something In reply.
MIR. Van Wagner then read from time
to time extracts frem tie lecture and re-
plie.i IL them.
TIE speaker denied that ministers believe
In or teach such God as Mr. ingersoll
affirm, they do. God is preached as
being Of love, kindness, sympathy long
suffering and mercy-a father. He so
loved the world that He sent His Son Jesus
Christ Io this earth to manifest His feelings
towards man, and draw them To Him.
THE MINISTRY.
Mr. Ingersoli says most bitter things
about the MISUNDERSTANDING them and
their calling. Who is he to do this ? Fat,
jolly. living in splendid mansions, rsceiy-
Ing IRON 500 to 5000 nigh; To bias
phem, God, and deDOunce the church, and
laugh at the Bible Who is he to caric4-
iure The Christian ministry? Who is he
to ridicule men who labor amidst many
GiscOurs.ements, and many at them amidst
many privaIions, To better, and OF les
ccmicri and help the world? What does
h.. know about visiting the sick with words
OF sympathy, comforting the mOurnerS,
bUrying the dead, helping the poor and
going about day after day TO do good? What
do, lac know of the sacrifices and priya.
tiOns OF missionaries of the cross on for
eign shores, and in our own land !? These
are men whose shOe-laichet he is not worthy
To uuiuU>s, and still he travels over the
land. casting his slime on the Christian
M MYSTERY he the son of minister.
NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR THOUGHTS.
Mr. Ingersoll SAYS tina, We cannot help
thinking, nor help thinking what We think,
therefore, We are not responsible for our
thoughts. We are not to blame for them,
Whatever they may Re.
He knows better. We canEoi
stop thinking, to be sure, but We can
determine on which, and about what. We
shall think. Our thinking is very largely
under the power of our wills. We can
turn our thoughts into new channels,
place them on different objects 4 mans
mind l. under the control OF his will. II
he finds his thoughts dwelling on something
base he can place them on something no.
bic and pure. We are responsible for our
thoughts. 1t is in the power Of all to have
good and noble thoughts, and 10 Say other
wise Is but to- give publicity to our igno-
rance, or affirm what We know to he un-
true Mental philosophy settled this
question long ago.
NOT RESPONSIBLE YOR OUR ACTS.
Mr.. IBgersOll also affirms that we are
not creatures of free will, free agents, but
creatures OF circumstance that men are
not 10 blame for their conduct. for they
cannot help it; that whatever Sins men
commit = through wcakn, -. What 4 doc
trine this is 10 teach mankind What can
be more calculated to destroy morality and
break up the very foundations Of govern
ment and society
If anything is settled in mental and
moral philosophy il is that man is 3 free
moral agent that he has the power of
choice; that he can do right or wrong
Man is not a creature OF circumstances.
His character, habits. acts, are determined
by himself. This is the glory OF man. Ii
is this which distinguishes him FROM the
animal and allies him TO God. Man is
being Every man knows II iL