New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-11-04
Colonel Ingersoll Consoles.

San Francisco Bulletin.
It is not long since q lady OF this
city was suddenly overcome by a
great, crushing affection, that coming
like thunderbolt upon her, for
time threatened her life. Her son and
only child had gone on a short bust
ness Journey, expecting soon ito re-
turn. Sudden and fatal illness over
took him. and brief telegram an
nounced the dreadful tidings toshls
heart-broken mother.
A LADY, friend, who had sympathlzed
deeply with and vainly sought to con-
sole her. informed Colonel Ingersoll,
and begged him, if possible, to write
something which might at least re.
lieve in a measure the terrible appR
hension rs to the fate of her son.. u j.
der which, she was suffering. The fol-
lowing is his letter, which, as will be
seen by the subjoined grateful reply,
was in a good measure effective TWAS
only upon the representation that, :,
like Colonel Ingersoll,s widely
published remarks at the funeral
OF his brother in Washington,
some years ago, these words also might
comfort other hearts which mourn,
that the reporter succeeded III obtain
ing a copy for publication, with the
condition that the name of the reclp-
lent should not be mentioned.
INGERsoLLs LETTER.
Ny DEAR MADAM-NIrs. C-has told
me the sad story of your almost inf
| mite sorrow. am not foolish enough
81, Il
thing to lessen your great grief, your
anguish for his loss; but maybe | can
! say something to drive from your
! poor heart the fend of fear-fear for
Him. If there is God, let us believe
that He is good; and if He is good, the
good have nothing to fear. [ have
been told that your son was kind artd
generous; that he was filled with ebay
ty and sympathy Now, Wellnow that
in this world like begets like, kindness
produces kindness and all good bears
the fruit OF JOY; beliefs nothing deeds
are everything; and if your son was
kind. he will naturally find kindness
wherever he may be. You wouldnot
nitlict endless pain uponyour worst
enemy. Is God worse than you? You
| could not bear to see a viper sutferIor
| ever. Is it possible that God will
! doom kind and generous boy to
/ everlasting pain? Nothing can be
more monstrously absurd and cruel
The truth is that no human being
knows anything of what is beyond the
grave II nothing is known, then it is
not honest for any one to pretend
that he does know. II nothing is
known then we can only hope for the
/ good. Ii there be God, your boy is
no more in his power now than he was
before his death-no more than you
are at this moment. Why should we
fear God more after death than be-
fore? Does the feeling OF God toward
his children change the moment they
die? While we are alive they say God
| loves us; when will He cease to love
us? True love never changes. | beg
of you to throw away all tear. Take
counsel of your own |eart. II God *
lists, your heart is the best revelation
OF Him and your heart could never
send your boy to endless pain. After
] all, no one knows. The ministers
know nothing. All the churches in the
world know no more on this subject
than the ants upon the ant-hills.
Creeds are good for nothing except to
break the hearts Of the loving. Letus
have courage. Under the seven-hued
arch OF hope let the dead sleep. do
not pretend to know, but | do know
that others do not know. | wish
couly say something that would put
star in your night OF grief-a little
flower in your lonely path-and if an
unbeliever has such a wish. surely an
infinitely good beng has never madea
soul to be the food OF pain through
countless years.
Sincerely yours,