The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-01-27
THE skEPT,C ANSWERED.
His Inconsistencies Plainly Demonstrates
to Him By Q Fellow Ira Weller.


81 don't believe in o personal Go l."
remarked o skeptic to Rev. R. F.
Jones, Welsh Presbyterian minister,
who was q fellow traveller in a railroad
train between Toledo and Cleveland
some time ago.
why notp' asked the minister.
because can't see Him. His ex-
istence is not demonstrable. capable of
proof, like facts in science" 500 " @
The minister asked: Don't you be-
lieve that you are alive, and that I am
alivep'
Yes" he answered. gEEyJ 4
"Why do you believe itP' "A
''Because can see you move" Ak
"Well," said the minister. "the loco
motive that is drawing this train also
moves-is it alivep"
NO." he answered, shut the engi-
ncer who runs it is alive"
please tell me-" said the ministers
whether the engineer is part of the
machinery Or . living peronP"
"He is Q living person." replied the
skeptic.5 W.T. Wv esgf && ~ ~as
.'Now, SIR" retorted the minister.
consistency Is q jewel-please tell me
why you attribute the movement Of the
locomotive to living person, but deny
that God who sets the universe IN mo-
ton, is living person.
He could not answer. Silenced on
this argument, he branched off into an
other objection against Christianity.
what hate,' said he, 'in OrthO-
doxy is this endless talk about creed,
creed, creed, thrust upon us every
where and at all times. So,
What do you mean by mans
creedp' asked his opponent
II understand by creed that which
a man believes" ~ &
"Well, SIR" rejoined the minister,
''you have just as much creed as |
have. l believe there is personal
God; you believe the opposite doctrine.
/ believe in the incarnation of the Son
of God for our redemption; you be-
lieve the opposite. l believe in the
ruined estate of man; you believe the
opposite. What difference is there in
the bulk of our creed, only that l be-
lieve one, side of the question and you
believe the other? Now, sir, when we
come to that point you have just as
much creed on your side as have on
mine; but you want the right to advo-
cate your sentiments, but wish to deny
me the right on my side."
He was silenced again. .-e''''-.'
But" said the skeptic, rest,mine
the attack by another argument, com.
mon at this day, Christianity is mol
capable of scientific demonstration,
When we take the sciences all truths
are capable of demonstration by ex
periments which prove them. YOU
can put them to the test. take pc
culiar pleasure in the study of chem
istry. Its propositions are plain and
capable OF proof BY facts and expert
ments which appeal TO the senses" R
lyon have studied chemistry, hav'
youp" inquired the minister.
Eyes, sir,' he answered.
WELL" resumed the minister, ii
you are a student of chemistry you an
acquainted with the fact that charcoal
and diamond are the same in thei
molecules-namely, carbon. Now Cal
you take moleculc out of the charcoal
and put it into the diamond and get
perfect thing of it?''
He acknowledged he could not.
Where, them" said the minister
sis your demonstration in chemistry
But as far as Christianity is concerned
your objection is not valid, for it
capable of spiritual demonstration
You can try it and find it all that Co
has represented IL to be. God says {
all; Oh. taste and see. Try it. AM
experience will attest its truth
Millions have put it to the test Of thei
experience, and have found it tn
power of God unto salvation to sver
one that believeth'.
The skeptic. then. In a somewha
conciliatory spirit, acknowledged tha
his father and mother were orthodox
Christian people. L
The minister inquired: ''Were the
good people?" - 9t-t ~
Yes, excellent; my father was a
excellent good man."
wei" inquired the minister, "whs
practical benefit do you get by chang
ing the religion of your parents to
skepticisme Does it make you bel
ter man? Are you better husband
your wife; a better father to YOU