The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1894-10-11
CHAU TAUQUA. ):
INGERSOLL AND SUICIDE.
BY MEMBER OF CLASS A.

What strange anomaly is presented to us in
the character of the man IngersOll.
In his daily walk there are few men who live
nearer the teachings of the divine Master than
does he The example of his life is one that
might we'll be followed by those who seek TO
live as God directs Loving the beautiful IN ma
ture, with instincts cultivated that they guide
him to the highest plane of morallty, WITH IhaI
broad charity which seeks to excuse and forgive
the sins of his fellow men, and above all, gifted
with an intellect far above the average, and
matchless elOquence that touches the heart ana
brings forth all that is noble and pure i'll our ma
tures. he vet breaches a doctrine that is at once
nerniciOus and fatal. have often asked myself
the question: "Can this man, who has been en-
lowed far beyond the average of his fellow men,
honestly believe that there is no future beyond
this life? Can he believe that the end OF lie is
| oblivion? That there is no future state In Wnlcn
his own vast intellect may become perfected, and
where, surrounded by kindred souls, ne may i've
on through all eternity in the perfection OF I'M
alleged bliss? That his own pure, noDle lile
shall end like that of the beast OF the held, ana
at its close be doomed to an eternal Oblivion?"
His daily life is an evidence that every fibre OF
his being is alive with good impulses. Always
ready to defend friend assist the needy. or
stand in the breach to fight injustice and oppres-
sion and, above all, practising that grand char
ity which is embodied in the command to "love
thy neighbOr as myself" and OF which Chrlst
spoke as covering multitude OF SINS.
Yet he ignores that Christ and denies him; he
nroclaims to the world that God has no exist
ence and that the end of life is OBLIVION. Ii he
kent his ideas to himself the harm. except to
himself would not be so great. But when, by
public announcement, he voices the sentiment
|
who is dependent upon higher power than
himself for that creation, can, without the per-
mission of his Creator take away that life for
anv reason whatsoever, then his teachings are a
menace to law and morality.
y The Young men and women who allow them
- selves to become mbued with this fatal doctrine
u will soon come to care but little for their mode OF
u life: and in few short years they Will nave
reached that stage on life'S journey where there
is no longer pleasure in living, where all nope Is
lost. Despair settles over them like pail; all
y memory is lost except that dire thought that IL
Z. death lies rest and oblivion. And in an agony OF
mind that only hell can equal they rush to their
III doom.
g Rut is that the end? All! who can say? Wh(
S. is there that has come back from the shadOW!
portals of the tomb to assure us OF what TIT
III future consists If it is oblivion. then they, per
r haps who have blindly rushed to death. are I'LL
D. gamers But if it is otherwise; II there IS
ne future life whose rewards and punlshments ar
r. melted out in proportion to our use OF tnls lie
m what will be the fate of those unfortnates VINO
is disobeying one of the strongest commands OF I'll
n; Deity, have relied upon the precepts OF an uI
r. wise teacher and taken away the life whlc
neither he nor they can return. would IL not
better for this man. who, by his eloquence an
logic is capable of moulding the lives OF so man
of his fellow men, rather to teach the man WI
has reached the depths of hOpelessness ana de
an pair that instead of ending all by DEATH 1t Wer
on far better to take courage. and by an hones
TN faithful effort strive, to overcome the oDsCdcit
I'd that beset his path and once more take MS plas
he among his kind and by his future life ana exam
In pie lead other unfOrtunates to nope Tor pettt
\, things 1t would seem that this line OF actlo
ap- would better befit the well-known hlgh NOR
re, standard at which Mr.. 1ngersOll aims, ana 1ro
7as which vantage ground he would be enaDleo
nd accomplish more good than usually falls TO Il
fe lot of poor humanity to do. Let us nope that II
ar his own sake and the sake OF those whom MS L
no. sistless eloquence and logic can so easily swa
tlc that he may be led to see the horror OF MS pc
OF ncious teaching, and may yet do what lies IN II
but power to counterfeit the evil that is the legl
ain mate fruit of false doctrine. 1t is a source
I'M regret to all good men that the grand God-glv
the intellect of Mr.. Ingersoll should be so warp
ted that, notwithstanding the example OF his almo
me exemplary life, he should only be the means
om- working harm to his fellow men.
cry Let him strive to undO-n part. at least
zee, wrong he has done to humanity, and to the DC
the of his ability make atonement ere he IS called
mp meet an avenging God.