San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-06-28
CHAPTER XIV.

gersol
NO" she answered, ~ never met him and
do not wish to make his acquaintance"
May | ask whyl" said
She replied: Simply because | am told
that it is impossible to know him without ad-
miring and loving him"
"Wenr
"Wen. don't want to admire or love
him"
had the honor of making his acquaint-
ance, and, like all those who have approached
ard known him, soon admiral him.
lie is one of the greatest figures of his
greet country. In book on contemporary
America one must needs speak of this cele-
brated advocate. he is personality apart
he has little in common with the rest of his
countrylnen but the title of colonel
Once more say it: in this book of jottings
| do not sit in judgment. | merely describe
impressions 1t is not necessary to indorse
mans theories in order to enjoy his society,
and this is especially true in the case Of Col
Ingersol. who is many sided in his powers,
and who charms theologians and agnostics
alike when the subject VI religion is not to
the fore.
Col Robert Ingerson is man Of about GO,
six feet high and strongly built, colossus
physically and intellectually. The eyes
sparkle with wit and beam with the enjoy
ment of life; the mouth is humorous and
smiling; the head large and well planted on
| broad shoulders; the face shaven, the brain
bristling with humanitarian thoughts; man
with the heart of lion to fight the battles Of
| life, but the heart of a woman in presence Of
| human suffering.
He has substituted for the love Of religion
the religion Of love and Of tho family. Ac-
| cording TO him religion should have but one
| aim-to teach us how to be happy in this life
He repeats with Christ: "Love one another;
do not 20 others what you would not have
| others do to you" And he adds; "A Goo
| that is represented as weaving webs to catch
| the souls of men whom he has created is not
| adorable" AS to future life, the colonel
| does not commit himself. He says: 1--WE dc
not know; we cannot tell whether death is
door or a wall, spreading of pinions to soar or
the folding Of wings forever" In the eyes OF
most pious people, his theories are abomina'
BILE, and he is the Antichrist; but the Ameri
cans are unanimous in admitting his extra.
ordinary talents, and among the dear friends
of the colonel and his family are many Pres
byterians, some of them ministers
Antichrist if you will-that is, if you can
imagine such a parsonage endowed with
every moral and intellectual faculty.
In his presence men feel themselves small,
and women put their hands over their eyes,
being careful to keep the fingers well apart.
| decidedly dangerous Antichrist, this.
Mr. Ingersou's religion is the religion Of
humanity He says; Happiness is the only
good, the time to be happy is now, and the
way to be happy is to make others So" Live
to do good, to love and be beloved by those
around, and then lie down and sleep with the
consciousness of having done your duty to
men Do not ask pardon of God for an in
jury done to man. Ask pardon of the man
and make reparation to him for your offense.
II rob Smith, exclaims Mr.. IngersoI in
the ironical language he is such master Of;
God forgives me. How does that help
Smith,"
He maintains that the Christian religion
teaches less the love of an infinitely just and
mercifu God than the fear of q demon thirst.
ing for human victims. This charge is borne
out by proverb used by the Scot, who is q
student of human nature:
If the dell were deed, God wad na be
served SO weel"
The colonel maintains that if man has
had hands given him to feel, eyes to see, ears
to hear, he has also a brain to think, heart
to love and intelligence to reason with.
He does not attack so much the Catholic
religion, which rests on faith, for a religion
which rests purely on faith is not a matter
for reasoning and argument But BE- rather
attacks Professionalism which prides itself
upon resting on reason as well as on faith
The theories of Col Ingerson are the ma,
tural outcome of the Introduction of reason,
ing into religious matters.
Things which are felt only cannot be dis
cussed; things which are incomprehensible
are not matter for explanation.
Professionalism is a mixture of faith and
reason, agreeing pretty badly together, il
must be confessed. The Protestant takes the
Bible for book every word of which is in.
spired of God. He interprets it in his own
fashion, and proves out of it every doctrine
he requires to found new sect. The very
drunkard is not at loss to find an excuse for
his drinking, and turning to Isaiah Qxv, 49,
comforts himself with Behold, my servant
shall drink
| AS he looks on az che Protestants SQUAD
| LI;,o- o1-ar tba eionifoation of hihIicaI mas.