The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-04-04
CheerIessness of Infidelity.

There is something very suggestive and in
structiye in remark attributed to the arch
infldel, Robert G.. Ingersoll: "Life is very
sad to me; it is very pitiful; there isn't much
to it." Mr.. Ingersolls experience as ~; in
fidel is not singular. Other noted infideis,
much moro serious and profound, able to
disclose to others and enjoy themselves any
in philosophic unbelief, if such there be,
have anticipated him and even
yet more bitterly hewailed the
calamity Of human existence. As Mr..
Ingersoll only notoriously rehashes the
old infldel arguments and sneers, adding
absolutely nothing original, save it may be
the brilliant tiusel of unique sarcasm, or
jaunty blasphemy to point the inconsequent
logic of his predecessors and his own, 1t IS
not to be expected that his occasional sober
sres Should g. esry hd deent em @
How MIR. Ingersoll's lament resembles that OF
his great French master and superior, Vol
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 a crowd Of wretches,
equally criminal, equally. unfortunate
/ wish had never been born" To tho
French sceptic "the cold and barren peaks
were burdened with slaughter and crimsoned
with blood. 10 the phllosopnlc hume they
were shrouded in blackness and dark
ness. He i'd: "When I look abroad or
every side see dispute, contradiction and
distraction When turn my eve inward
find nothing but doubt end ignorance. be-
gin to fancy myself in very deplorable con-
dition, environed with darkness on every
side" Yes, take soberest things the noted
infidels have said Of life or of death, and
they are at once comment upon what MT.
Incersoll has said, and confirmation Of his
Judgment when the light of Revelation is not
permitted to illuminate the little valley
bounded by the else cold and barren peaks
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, cross and suffering
@se 9ns eRs eRs va: ana ssaG5E
death, will fear no evil, for thou arr with
me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. "
Another has said: "For me to live is Christ,
and to die is gain" Such one after, IRE.
joicing in hope, patient in tribulation and
finishing his course with JOY" said: " unl
| ready to be offered and the time of my de-
parture is at band. Then after sweet and
collected retrospect upon a glorious and
fruitful past, he anticipated in "the 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 blissfuT future. Millions holding his
faith have confessed life rich and blessed
opportunity and exit from it q coronation
and a Joy. Contrast life, its significance
dignity and joy in Christian experience with
the mystery, barrenness and gloom Of it in
infidel confessions and lamentations and say
which is to be preferred. The apples ol
Sodom do not grow on the tree Of life, nor
among the leaves which are for the healing
Of rne nations. Judging infldelity by it:
manifest fruits and by tho bitter confessions
of its wsest and best representatives the tree
root leaf, flower and fruit is only evil
| [Dr. Stoaels, in New York Observer.