Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-03-30
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~ snAy EVENING. MAR so le;-!
INGERsoLL ON THE TRUTH.


Col. Robert G. Ineelsoli deliver, d his
lecture, The Truth" at the Star Thea
tire Sunday night The lecture has
been delivered only once before, IL
Chicago on March Z. Col. Ingersoil
had the attention and frequent applause
of an audience that quite filled the
theatre. Ticket spectators did heavy
business on the sidewalks till police
sergeant made them stop selling on the
ground that they were violating Tue
Sunday law.
the speculators then moved into the
lobhy OF the theatre and prospered in
Deace. Charles Broadway Rouss with
a number of friends occupied one OF the
stage boxes and at frequent intervals
expressed iervent appreciation OF Col.
Insersoll's episrams and speeches by
shouting Good Good " or "Seauti-
full ~ or "How True "
Here are some of the things that Col.
Ingersoil said
mo subject can be too sacred 90 be
UNDERSTOOD. lie who threatens the in-
vestieator with punishment here or
hereafter is an enemy of the human
race Ther9 is no real Investigation
without freedom from the fear OF goes
of devils, of men. So all investigation,
all experiment. should be pursued III
the light of reason, not In the darkness
OF auihority.
The ProteStants say that 1t Is the
duty of every person to read, to under
stand and 10 believe this revelation
that man should use his reason. But
if he honestly concludes that the Bible
is not a revelation from God and dies
with that conclusion in his mind he
will be tormented forever They say
Read, and then add: Believe, or be
damned. All these priests and clergy
men irsIst that the Bible is superior 20
human reason. What is there 10 the
brain that God can address except the
reason?
is it honest to offer a reward for be-
lief? The man who gives money to a
Judge or Juror for decision or verdict
Is guilty of crime. Why? Because
he induces the judge, the juror TO de-
eide, not according 10 the law, TO the
facts, the right, but according to the
bride. The bribe is pot evidence. So,
the promise OF Christ 10 reward those
who will believe is a bride. 1t is an
attempt 10 make q promise take the
place of evidence. He who says that
he believes, and does this for the sake
OF the reward, corrupts his soul.
"A short time ago when l was sick
the TACT got into the newspapers. Im-
mediately there were interviews with q
number of clergymen who were esked
where l would 90 when | died. With
the utmost Joy and cheerfulnesa they
rubbed their hands and said (: He Is
going to hell, of course God will
never forgive me for being homes,
I'VE all know the theological coun'
teuance-cold, unsympathetic, cruel,
lighted with pious smirk-no lire OF
laughter-no dimpled mirth-no touch
OF humor-nolhing human. That Is
the theologian. That face is rebuke,
reprimaDd 10 natural Joy. 1t says TO
the happy Beware OF the dog 1t says
to the Joyous Prepare for DEATH Like
the tabled Gorgon, it turns cheerfulness
10 stone.
These dear ministers, when they
have poor congregations, thunder
against trusts, syndicates and corpora
tions-against wealth, fashion and
luxury. They tell about Dives and
Lazarus, paint rich men in he'll and
begears in heaven. If their congrega-
tions are rich they turn their guns the
other way. When one of their minis
tiers happens to have an idea-a new
one-like Lyman Abbott or Prof.
Briggs, these gentle brethren turn up
on him like hyenas to tear him.
They even say that l lack rever-
enca ''-lN Y Sun.