The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-03-22


that they teach the lovo Of mankind to the
exclusion OF Him who 50 loved man. The
colonel robs the posr and sorrowing Of that
which helps them to endure their Ills belief
In better world 20 como.
Son Of Protestant minister, Robert Inger-
soil early showed special aptitude for tho dis
cuszion Of theological questions BY tho nge
70, be had thoroughly studied tho Old Tesla
mant, and would reason upon It like a doctor
ofdivinity. The father In vain drew Roberts
attention 10 tho beauties Of the Bible; the
son could SEQ little In Il but absurdities and
Inconsistencies. Tho old minister was heard
to say: SIT grieves mo to hear my Robbie
talk SO, but declare he is too much for me;
cannot answer him"
Who can answer Ingcrsolll is question
often asked Apparently not tho ministers
of the hundreds Of different Protestant sects
that flourish n America; not Mr.. Gladstone,
student Of tho BibIo aad profound rcasoner
though he be.
For more than year, tho president Of the
NinetoCnth Century club OF New York was
trying TO got Protestant minister to break
a lance with this redoubtablo ngnostic in
public, but without avail Not one felt equal
to tho task
That which makes this man 50 formidable
Is not 50 much his eloquencc, his quick repair
tee, his sarcasm, bis pathos, his humor, it 10
above all tho life he loads, the example he
sets of all tho domestic virtues Ono must
have theprivilege Of knowing him intimately,
of penetrating into that sanctuary Of conju-
gal happiness, his home, before one can form
IN idea Of the respect that no must inspire
oven in those who abhor his doctrines, His
houso is tho home of the purest joys; it holds
four hearts that beat as one.
Mr. Ingersoll lives in ono of the handsome
houses on Fifth avenue His family consists
of his vito and two lovely daughters, Athens
and Venice, as an American whom met at
Col Ingersolls used to call them. Indeed
one reminds you Of tho beautiful creations OF
Titan Tho other seems li,:o NEUROLOGICAL
vision, nymph from tho banks of Eryman-
thus. As you look at her, while she speaks
to you with her eyes rodastly lowered, al
most seeming to apologize for being SO lovely,
you involuntarily think of "Le Jeune Ma
lade" of Andre Chenier, that last Of tho
Greek poets, as Edmond About called him.
Authors, artists, journalists, members of
tho thinking world of New York may DO met
at tho colonel's charming Sunday evenings.
About II at night, when all but tho intimate
friends of the family have left, these latter
draw around their host, and cntice him to
70 III ,,Y,o,, o,,n Of bc 20 x,or+o cl;act ,Nootr,,
music, OF may be tho mistakes of Moses"
while they listen with avidity. He knows
his Shakespeare as thoroughly as the Bible,
only he speaks of him with far more respect
and admiration. He adores Wagner, whom
he sets even above Beethoven. | mention
this to prove once more that we have all our
little faults, and that Col. Ingersoll, in COM
mon with his fellow mortals, is not perfect
Between midnight md in the morning, the
last visitors reluctantly depart. On the way
homo, you think Of all the witty things that
hof9e been said, the arrows of satire that
have been shot at hypocrisy and humbug,
the ennobling humanitarian opinions that
have been advanced; and though you may
not feel converted, or diverted, or perverted
to fngersollism, you are sure to leave that
house feeling fuller of good will toward all
men, and saying to yourself; what de-
lightful evening have passed."
/ was present one evening at meeting of
the Nineteenth Century club to hear a dis
cussien on ''The Poetry of the Future" Col
Ingersoll was to have taken part in it, but,
being retained professionally at Washington,
he was obliged to excuse himself at the
eleventh hour. The president Immediately
telegraphed to a well known minister asking
him to take the colonels place.
81 distinctly decline to take Col. Ingersoll's
place in this world or the next" exclaimed
the recipient of the telegram as soon as he
had read it The reverend gentleman never
theless took part in the evenings debate, and
when he repeated bis repartee to the audi
ence was greeted with hearty laughter and
applause
ITO be continued