The times., 1897-09-13
LECTURE By HR. VOORHEES,
Talked in the Peoples Church TO
an Appreeiatiye Audience.
Calls Eternal Punishment a Dread
full NightmaEe of Horrors
and Despair.

James Paxton VOORHEES, yesterday morn
irg 1t the Peoples Church gave his promis-
ed lecture -nlonologue, out Of the Past"
TO a large audience or representative PEG
pie. Df. Kent, IN introducing the lecturer,
said that he took pleasure in bringing be-
fore those present d coIiser vatiye, able
speaker on the lines of the liberal Thought
OF the day The gentleman who waste
address them was fitted, both by parent.
age and ability, TO secure the interest OF
the American public. He had the honor
To present MI James Paxton Voorhees,, a
SOL OF the late Senator voorhees,, OF In
dana.
Mr.. voorhees, lecture dealt largely with
eternal punishment, and was received with
enthusiasm, his monologue work nlustra-
tive OF his text securing much success. Ap
piause was repeated, and on tile lecturers
descent from the platform the audience
thronged about the speaker, eager 70 sllak,,
hands with him.
Many old friends OF Mr.. Voorhees, "a tfIer
were among those present. One old In
diana man, bis eyes glItenins with
emotion, g1asped the lecturer 5 hand and
said: ut was magnificent. / had your
father in mind throughout"
The mouologues Were conspicuous In
Mr.. Voorhees, work. The Raven Is really
very rema Fkable effort OF Mr.. V Voorhees'
theatrical power, and was given with
telling effect in illustration OF 1.-THE
natural rejection Of a belief In a lost
soul,'' and the further tender argument
in favor of reunion With loved ones gone
before, and 1.-THE deafness destiny OF
humanity"
AT the conclusion of The Raven applause
followed. Two monologues, Aux Italienes
and Ave Maria, followed. I've Maria
is a singular and weird poem, delineatine
peculiar phase OF religious charity, ant
in imagery and thought possesses a power
that was felt by those present. Aux
Italienes, owen Merediths beautiful IoY,
story, Vas brilliantly rendered by the
monologuist as an instance of human
love. IL is understood that this last
selection was the favurite Of Mr.. Voor-
hces distinguished father, the late SEN
ator.
Among other things, Mr.. Voorhees, said.
What prevents the church from dis.
pensing with its inefficient and obnoxious
doctrine Of eternal punishment? Humanity.
once relieved OF this dreadful nightmare
or horrors and despair created by the
hObgoblins Of everlasting damnation, would
spring up once more, erect; would diminish
its countless woes and find those 1niseries
that yet remained uncured easy TO bear
in the blessed freedom from harassin G
doubts and terrors and gloom / have
nothing against organized Christianity
The old forms have simply fallen amone
the shadows of the past, and have failed
10 meet the measure Of their intent.
The church was at one time supreme
Ii is 10 longer 50. It's temporal dominion
is gone. The claim is advanced that it is
stronger in its simple spiritual dominion
Il Is not so. It might be far more pow
erfui in spiritual dominion than it ever
was in the days OF its temporal power did
| it but act according TO its abilities to tie
relief OF the soul-oppressed, groaning, strug
cling mass OF humanity in the latters ef.
forts to throw Off repression, restriction
aud WORSE than DEATH"