Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1888-04-28
Cheerle,.no.. of In,del,tr.

There is something very suggestive and In
structive in remark attributed to the arch
infidel, Robert G. Ingersoll: Life is very
sad to me; it is very pitiful; there isn't much
to it." Mr.. Ingersoll's experience as an in
fidel is not singular Other noted infidels,
much more serious and profound, able to
disclose to others and enjoy themselves any
secret comforts there may lie hidden
in philosophic unbelief, IL such there be,
have anticipated him and even
yet more bitterly bewailed the
calamity Of human existence. As Mr.
1ngersoll only VIGOROUSLY rehashes the
old infidel arguments and sneers, adding
absolutely nothing original, save it may be
the brilliant tinsel of a unique sarcasm, or q
jaunty blasphemy to point the inconsequent
logic of his predecessors and his own, 1t is
not to be expected that his occasional sober
confessions, such as the one quoted in this
article, should be very different from theirs
: How MIR. Ingersolls lament resembles that Of
his great French master and superior, Vol
taire, who said: The world abounds with
wonders, also with victims In man is more
wretchedness than in all other animals put
together. Man loves life, yet knows he must
die; spends his existence in diffusing the
miseries he has suffered cutting the throats
OF his fellow creatures for pay; cheating and
being cheated. The bulk Of mankind are
nothing more than crowd Of wretches,
wish / had never been born" To the
French sceptic "the cold and barren peaksn
were burdened with slaughter and crimsoned
with blood. To the phiiosophic Hume thew
were shrouded in blackness and dark
ness. He i'd: "When / look abroad on
every side see dispute, contradiction and
distraction. When turn my eye inward
lind nothing but doubt and ignorance. 1 be-
gin to fancy myself In a very deplorable con-
dition, environed with darkness on every
side" Yes, take soberest things the noted
1nndels have said OF life or Of death, and
they are at once comment upon what Mr..
lngersoll has said, and a confirmation of his
Judgment when the light of Revelation is not
permitted to illuminate the little valley
Of the two eternities.
But what is the testimony Of those for
whom that light shines; for whom there
hang high above and casting light over
peaks and valley, a cross and suffering
saviourl One has said: "Yea, though I
walk through the valley and shadow of
death, will fear no evil, flor thou art with
me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Another has said: For me TO live is Christ,
and 70 die Is gain" Such a one after, IRE,
goicing IN hope, patient In tribulation and
finishing his course with joy" said: 81 am
ready to be offered and the time OF INV de-
parture is at hand. Then after a sweet and
collected retrospect upon a glorious and
fruitful past, he anticipated In sthe full as
surance Of faith" beyond the peaks
not cold and barren, but radiant
with the light of hope, "a
crown Of righteousness" in the immediate
and blissful future. Millions holding his
faith have confessed life rich and blessed
opportunity and exit from It a coronation
and joy. Contrast life, its Significance.
dignity and joy in Christian experience with
the mystery, barrenness and gloom Of Il IN
jnfidel confessions and lamentations and saw
which Is to be preferred The apples Of
bodom do not grow on the tree Of lie, nor
among the leaves which are for the healing
Of the nations Judging infdeIity bv its
manifest fruits and by tho bitter confessions
o. lts wlsest and best representatives the tree,
root, leaf, flower and fruit Is onlv evil,-
LDr. stoaels, In New York Observer.