The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-12-17
A BLASPHEMEH'S DOOM.
Parson Talmage Declares the Accuracy
of an Astonishing Story.

- 49, <ASsoutT"''S
In q recent sermon Rev. DIR. Talmage
discussed blasphemy and its conse-
quences. He drew from ancient and
modern history for instances OF the sud-
den and awful punishment inflicted by
divine power upon blasphemcrs. and
warned his hearers to avoid the sin as
one that brings them into special dan
ger from an offended providence. He
gives to san reporter the following
corrected version of his narrative:
$50 common has blasphemy become
that the public mind and the public ear
have got used to it, and blasphemer
goes up and down this country in his
lectures defying the plain law against
blasphemy. and there is not mayor in
America that has backbone enough to
interfere with him, save one, and that
the mayor of Toronto. Profanity is
worse than theft, or arson, or murder,
for these crimes are attacks on humani-
ty. That is an attack on God. This
country is pre-eminent for blasphemy.
The crime is multiplying in intensity.
God very often shows what he thinks OF
it, but for the most part the fatality is
hushed up. give you fact that is
proved by scores of witnesses. This
last August of 1886 man got provoked
at the continued drought and the ruin
of his crops, and i'm the presence of his
neighbors cursed God, saying that he
would cut His heart out if He would
come, calling Him liar and coward,
and flashing a knife. And while he
was speaking his lower jaw dropped,
smoke issued from mouth and nostrils,
and the heat of his body was so intense
it drove back those who would come
near. Scores of people visited the
scene and saw the blasphemer in the
awful process of expiring. Do not think
that God has been silent of your case, G
profane swearer! that He is dead! Is
there nothing now in the peculiar feel
ing of your tongue or nothing in the
numbness of your brain that indicates
that God may come to avenge YOU
blasphemies, or is already avengine
themp There are hundreds of such
cases. Families keep still to avoid the
horrible conspicuity. Physicians sup
press them through professional conf
dence."
MIR. Talmage was asked for circum
stantial account of the blasphemer vino
was miraculously burned to death. Hi!
response was as follows: Il appreciate
the desire for further details in this
matter, but purposely avoided locat
ing the event, and the reasons thai
actuated me then impel me now to keel
the affair from the public. Such al
event is terrible thing for the family
and friends of the man who was pun
ished, and it was out of consideration
for them that l omitted to state wher,
the scene was laid. That it is strictly
true, however. | have conclusive evi
dence. forget just how it was brough
TO my attention. heard it reported b,
somebody. or got my first tii.s. Information
from a private letter, can not sa,
which, but am inclined to think it wa
the latter. But no matter. l asked ;
trusted friend of mine to investigate TO
me, and he did so. Some correspond
ence ensued, which he turned over L
me. and from it am assured that the al
fair did actually and exactly take plac
as | describe it. have the correspond
ence still, but think had better kee
it to myself. IN y San.