The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-13
"THE FAT HERETO"
Rev. Myron wi Reed Pays His Respects to
Bob Ingersoll.

Bob InGerson.
Denver Republican. Monday.
Services at the First Congregational Church
yesterday were well attended. Rev. Myron w.
Reeds subject at both the morning and evening
services was "Bob Ineersoll at Funeral" In
his sermon last night MIR. Reed said: 1T is i'm
possible sosreply by argument to caricatnre.
Who thought of replying by a speech to
one of Thomas Nast's picturesl The thing con-
sdered doesn't have to be funny for person
to make fun of it. It is best to select subject
that is not funny. For an example, zone of the
funniest things written by Mark Twain Is in re-
gard to a funeral. Bob Ingersoll is funny in
gard to q subject which nearly everyone con-
siders serious one The Bible is not funny
book. 1t is very serious. very solemn. The be-
lief in God and the belief in mans immortality
of the soul are not usually considered funny
things
Colonel Ingersoll says it is strange that in
all the Old Testament no man ever expressed
a belief in Immortality. Strange indeed. that
standing before grave ever conceived
that idea. Strange when Job says: L know
that my Redeemer liveth.' Strange, when Da-
yid standing before the dead body OF his child.
says: He Will not come to me, but shall 60 to
him."
Mr. Reed said that Colonel Ingersolps remarks
at the funera. of his brother and at the grave of
friend more recently, might be considered
splendid by some people. In words, perhaps,
they WERE He spoke Of the departed as in habit
ing a "wirdowless palace of rest" "a grave is
certainly windo wless," said Mr. Reed, s:but it is
not palace. It is hole in the ground |
stand by enough graves to know what graves
1ngSrSOI love,
sion and eternal hope. Love and compassion
there might be, but where was hope to ag
nostic-to . man who knows not what to be-
lieve."
Mr.. Reed spoke of Colonel Ingersolls mixed
metaphors on these funeral occasions. Dust
and spirit were COMPOUNDED and jumbled to-
Rether The trouble with Colonel lngersolIs
doctrines were that there was a lack of self
sacrifice. The doctrines or Ingersoll suit the
tastes of well-dressed, well-fed. well cared-for
people. 1t is remarkable that the Colonel al
svfr ID aroU hr,0i
his funeral oratons. The advice of Ingersoll is
"enjoy yourself" The advice of the Scripture
is "bear We one anothers burdens"
The fat hereto cuts but sorry figure beside
the hard handed wrinkled-browe Jesuit
Franciscan. These men did their work and
their work lived. The men like Father Mar
quette and David Livingstone endured hardship
and fatigue and suffering, and their work sur
vives.
.sThe fat heretic who gets $3.50 a night works
not for great causes. There is work for genius
among the poor. the suffering and the distressed
In these days one can say anything he pleases,
can get $3.50 night for saying it. But there is
seed of the church The fat hereto needs a
spirit of devotion and sef-sacrihce if he would
have his doctrines survive Great reforms and
revolutions are not accomplished BY fat heretics
who work for $3.50 night.
Mr. Reed contrasted Colonel Ingersoll with
other infidels The modern infdel usually looks
works of Jesus Christ. Very different is the
reyerent tribute of Ernest Renau, the great
French infdei. TO the hippant remarks OF Col.
Ingersoll. There are men who sincerely doubt,
who seem to think tho gospel is too good to be
true
Mr. Reed said that upon such men we can
look with respect They are honest and sincere.
Mr. Reed closed with some remarks suggesting
that those infdsls who worked for humanity,
who iaDored IN an honest way for human prog
ress, God would CALL recognizing the honesty Of
their hearts under the error of their belief aud
appointing to them the sure reward of we'll
doing, even IL done by misguided, mistaken
men.