Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-15

The great ana eloquent BfOOklyn QlNlUe
appears to have made a bet. He appears,
also, TO have regretted 1t afterward. The
gentleman with whom he became en-
tangled thus tells his story to the St.
Louis Republic:
TO the Editor OF the Republic:
a Wager with Talmage.- on Septem-
Der 2oth / claimed the reward Of 500 offer
ed by Rev. Dr. Talmage 10 any intdel
who had read the Bible through twice,
and read il I'm course My claim for the
reward was published in the Republic Of
september 18th, supplemented with a re-
Div Of IT. H. tp the effect that my
claim for the reward was not valid. be
cause / had read the Bible through only
once as an iuidel.' Now, 7 here renew
my rlghtful claim to the reward. on the
grounds Of correct Interpretation Of the
English language. / believe IN the sin
certify and honor or Rev. Dewitt Tai
mage. and admire him as a scholarly gen
tleman and intellectual genius, and. as a
difference of language Interpretation ap-
pears To subSift between us, rather than
invoke controversy on the point | raise.
ask OF IN" reverend gentleman the
courtesy OF referring the matter 10 three
referees for their decision and adjustment,
he is 70 choose one. / one, and they two
to choose tho third man. Ny point Is this.
I am Al llliIflt uiNf HffA ~ - ~oAHrA ~
my acquaintanccs for twenty years. Ac-
corling 10 the various standard dlction-
lries and Webster. the legal dictionary Of
he United States, an iniiiel is one who
lish'li"ycs the divine inspiration Of the
Bible. Rev. Mr.. Talmage does not max"
the challenge and offer the reward OF
500 to any intilcl who has read the Bible
through twice and read II In course as
~ iuud-l' the latter clause, as an intdel,
.- 4. ia. aan /.
Nr. Talmage is too high-minded n gentle
man 10 put that clause I'm as an after
thought: nor do | believe he would resort
cd cunning clubbing in order to defeat
the merit of my claim. IiI language is
Ilr,ct. like a true. honestInan, always
speaks: \ reward OF $iUO to any inidel
Who has read the Bible through twice,
and read Il in course He did not say
read il as an iuiidcl.' and | ask him TO do
me that noble courtesy when should Oh
ain among men 10 acquiesce with me IN
referring the matter to referees for their
I%rcision. [ offer William NJ. Eyarts, of
New York. as my referee. not because OF
his high name. but because l regard him
as the most impartial critic Of pure Eng
lish whom | can now call to mind.
Allow me To- believe I shall have an
,ariy and cordial response.
j. W. EVARTS.
oklahoma city, October ith. "A
The controversy has not been referred
20 us, and neither officially nor unQtit-
.lally have We been asked for a decision
IN the premises; but, since the matter
mas become public. we feel warranted In
| expressing the opinion that the reverend
gentleman has lost. We do not thihk
[ was a wise bet. We rather fancy tnat
Brother Talmage was laboring under Nlo-
Int excitement when he proposed II.
What he meant to say. no doubt was
that no man could read the Bible through
twice, from end 10 end, and sun remain
An inndel. He believed that the book IL
| self would convert any one after two read
ing. What he really said, however was
that he would give 800 to any inhdel VINO
had read the Bible through twice IN
course, and upon that proposition MI. Ev-
arts. Of Oklahoma. confronts him. lie Is
| an inhdel. and has fulfilled the conditions
Of the wager.
We do not see how DR.. Talmage can
| avoid a settlement, except by ignoring
Mr.. Eyarts altogether. Any ~reieree &C
| customed 10 such controversies would de-
eide against him without a moment 5 hesI-
! cation. He has not. In fact a leg 70
stand on in the equity of true sport and'
| when il comes TO sentiment, we DO no
see. and cannot imagine, how ne VIII steer
himself against the oklahoma man 5 eio-
| guent appeal for his money. The Doctor
should pay up and then swear on oeltihs
forever.