Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1888-05-05

There is something very suggestive and in
structivc III n remark attributed to the arch
infidcl, Robert &. lngcrsoll: Life is very
sad To- me, il is very pitiful; there isn't much
to it. Mr.. lng"rsollS experience as an in
fidol 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 unbrlief, if such there be,
have anticipated him and even
yet more bitterly bewailod the
calamity Of human existence. AS Mr..
lngcrsoll only VIGOROUSLY rohashes the
old intiiel arguments and snters, adding
absolutely nothing original, save il may be
tho brilliant tinsel of a unique sarcasm, or a
Jnunty hlaSphcmy 10 point the incnnse4uent
logic of his predecessors and his own, it is
not 10 b. expected that his occasional sober
confessions, such rs the one quoted in this
article. should ho very different from theirs.
how MIR. lnEcrsulTs lament resembles that OF
ms great French master and superior. Vol
talr', VINO said "Ihe world ahoundS with
wonders, also with victims In.man is more
wretrh'NincSS than i'll all other animals put
together, Man loves life, yet knows he'must
dl", spends his existence in diffusing the
mlserltS he has suffered, cutting the throats
OF his fellow creatures for pay, cheating and
being cheated. Tho bulk If mankind ARC
nothing more than n crowd OF wrrtchex,
equally criminal, equally unfprtunnte.
- L IfhAl III ct thtn norm - tho
French sccptic Ttiic cold and barren peaks
wer" hurlencl with slaughter and crimsoned
with blood. To the phlluSophic Hume they
were shroudcd III blackncss and dark
ness. He 5 id: when | look abroad on
every siiel SEQ dispute, contradiction and
n'>traetlon. When turn my eye inward |
find nothing but doubt and ignorance. be-
GIN 10 fancy mvself III Very ,leplornhle con
dition, cnvlrvnr! with darkness On every
SIDE YES, take ~SotrreSt things the noted
lntldolS have SAID Of life or Of death. and
they ar" nt once a comment upon what Mr..
lnEcrSoll has sand. and q confirmation OF his
judgment When III" light of Revelation is not
permitted - illuminate the lttln valley
honnd~i hv the els, cold and barren peaks
OF The two etarulti,~
nut what Is the testimony of those for
whom TINT hight shines, for whom there
hang high above amt casting lilht over
peaks and valley a cross and suffering
saviour TN" has sad: ~ ca, though I
walk through tho valley AMI shadow Of
death, | viii fear no cvil.,for thou art with
me. thy r"t aui thy staff, they comfort mo y
Another has sand Fer me to live Is CHRIST
and 10 In" l. gam Slch a one after ..E,-
)"l'llS IN hope, patient III trIhulatlon and
hni>hirt hi r'ur~a with Joy" SAID Il am
ready to l~ "t'"rri ar,l the time of nv de
partur" Is AT hand. Then after n $ eet and
t"ii"'f'Nt retrospect npon a glorious and
fruiifnl past, he anticipated III "the full as
sol"h'' oi falth, lryond the peaks,
irt. eoii ANA barren, hut radiant
with the hight II hope. "a
crown "t Righteousness III the immediate
and hllsSful future. Millions holding his
faith have confessed life arch and blessed
opportunity AMI exit from il a coronation
anu n Joy Contrast lie. its significance
dignity and JOY IN Christian exlprlanc,. with
the mystery, h~arrennc>> AMI gloom If II IN
lntdrl confessions and lamentations and saw
which Is Ia he preferred The appleS 81
Sodon 10 not grow on the tree Of life nor
among the leaves which are for the healing
OF The nations. Judging infielitv hv its
manifest fruits aui hy the bitter eonfessions
OF ITS wisest and hest representatives the tree
root, leaf, fiowSr aud fruit Is only evil
lDr. Stoaels, in New York Observer.