The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-05
INGERS0LL'S DAU GHTERS.
THEY HAVE NEVER ATTENDED
CHURCH NOR KNELT IN PRAYER.
Both OF the Young Womsn Hold Views
on Religious Matters in Common
With Their Father-Miss Ing arsoll
Tells Why She Is an Iconoclass.


Empire-coated butler led the way to the
drawing-room in the great iconoclast's
stately home at No. 400 Fifth avenue.
The room, with its book-lined walls, bits
OF colored porcelain and carved silver
artists dreams in marble and on canvas
was beautiful enough but the slim, sweet,
timid creature, in her silver.gray dress,
was radiant. She might have been taken
for a Quaker maiden, for member of
some new order OF nuns, but for the
daughter OF Col. Robert q. Ingersoll--that
alleged monster, commonly denounced
from every pulpit and by every preacher
in every tongue and creed -neverl
But there sat Miss Eva ingersoll in
little slipper chair, beaming in the lowell
ness OF her youth and beauty, and this is
what she had to say regarding the Rev.
DIR. Pecks address before the General Con.
ference OF the Southern New England
Methodist societies:
''That is about the fifth time l have
joined the church, in print, and it is so
ridiculous because neither my sister nor
myself has ever attended service. Once
MI. us 10 near Henry
Ward Beecher. II was in the evening and
the address he delivered was the only one
We have ever heard. Another time we
went TO DIR. Collyer's church to attend
friends wedding, and that is the extent OF
our knowledge OF churches"
"But why haven't you gone out OF Curl
osity?"
"Well, don't know. | never had any
desire, somehow. | have been told that
the music might be entertaining, but am
sure 1t cannot compare with the operate
music, and we 30 to some opera or concert
three or four nights in every week. | have
read great many sermons, but never was
sufficiently pleased or interested TO care to
hear one. Our parents are not responsible
for our attitude. Indeed, sister and | are
more radical than they. Father always
told us that he wanted us 10 realize the
greatest happiness in life, and advised us
to examine Tor ourselves aud 10 act in gc-
cordance with our convictions We have
had books OF all kinds and all sorts, aud
friends 10 exchange ideas with. Father
has read with us, and together We have
looked up references, localities and proofs,
but the more we know about Christianity
the less admiration we have for it,
Just now we are studying the History
OF the lnqusition,' aud can't bear TO think
OF church or creeds. My grandfather,
you know, was Congregational minister,
! but most OF our relatives have been ex.
tremely liberal. They all believed in re.
ligion, and so do We, but neither they nor
we are Christians. This distinction often
aInuscs the people we meet for the first
time, and they in turn amusc US by almost
demanding an explanation"
As she talked her beautiful hands were
playfully tying the long, silky ears OF n
magnificent hunting dog across his face
"kust is one Of the family. We've had
| him five years. His temper is absolutely
perfect. They tell ~ We have spoiled
him, aud perhaps that is q fact, but father
is too kind-hcartcd 10 DO hunter. lie
| wouldn't kill Il bird or see one killed for
pleasure, and that's why Rust has been
allowed 10 live in the family and get
spoiled" Standing against her knee with
his face in her lap aud the perfect golden
brown Of his coat contracting with the
delicate silver gray OF her dress, the two
were picture for Landseer.
"Did ! ever pray2 Never. We were
never taught prayers as children, but
when old enough torcason mother selected
the PRAYERS that are considered most beau.
iiul and touching and told us, rs she
always did in making selections oil poetry
aud prose, 10 read them carefully aud learn
the ones that pleased us. None pleased
me especially, aud didn't commit any Of
them 10 memory. ! could not see the
wisdom OF praying for or against things
knew were beyond human influence.
"And | never priced a Bible rs mos
girls do, not even In silver or ivory coy
ers. don't like the book because Their,
are too many improbable and impossible
things in il, and, worse than that, i
abounds in crueltes.
"We doubtless seem horrible people (,
YOU believers, but we are very happy to
gether, aud IL my parents are rs odious a,
some people fancy them they must still
; have many very redeemng qualities o
mind and heart because IL X a tax io
them 10 make new friends, the old ont
are so numerous aud 80 eNsciing in thci
, affection. In all my life have nevc
, heard cross word spoken by my parents
, either 10 one or the other, or TO my sistc
or myself.
school We Dcver went to school
day in our lives. Mother preferred 20 hav
Us trained at home under her own super
vision, and father made out the course q
| study and allowed us 10 make optiona
Whatever we liked. Woarc stupid enough
but Il is all our own fault"
The modesly Of Miss lngersoll did no
= ! permit her 10 slate that she Is close stu
dent and takes great pride In her lessons
: Every DAY she learns lesson for n French
German and vocal teacher finds time 10
several hours OF practice, and PERSONAL
cares for her wardrobe, not only designin
but actually making all her own drcssc,
=, BE- wing that too much valuable time
7, spent in u miscellaneous toilet, oac
/, daughter has her own peculiar style. Mis-
y Ingcrsoll always has two drcsses-a silyC
gray cashmere made with a round wal
laid with cross plaits, between which
set vest or "y' OF soft white silk. Abot
the neck and sleeves is a finish of era
=, ribbon, and the straight skirts are simpl
n stitched. long gray cloak and gra
" hat, with gray silk veil aud gray glow
complete the toilet In which she walk
visits, drives, goes TO afternoon entertain
menis. studies aud receives mornin
J, callers. Her evening dress is made
~ white silk or nuns yelling and in but OF
~ fashion, gathered skirts, round wais
with V-ncck and half sleeves.
Miss Maud lngcroll, who Is a decide
brunette, wears black lace. Neith
daughter has ever been seen on the sire
q. alone, the mother or aunt always actii
H. as. not chaperonc, but q companio
lo | They know nothing about shopping, lark
slang, chums or beaux, and there new
has boon time 20 merry or a party
IN CAV that these beautiful creatures were !
ur duced 10 leave the terrible inlidel and !
wife. Similar examples Of family deyoii,