New-York tribune., 1899-02-08
TNGERSOLL AND THE BIBLE.
WHAT ONE WOMAN THINKS OF HIS VIEWS
ON SPIRITUAL THINGS.

WHAT ONE WOMAN THINKS OF HIS VIEWS
on SPIRITUAL THINGS.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
sir: suppose after Colonel Ingersolls address on
tine Devil" there will be found Christians anxious
N take I'D the cudge 10 attack him. Some call MIN
The devils press agent" and others the bald
nrophet" but al Christian believe he does no
harm whatever and am not sure but that ne does
GOOD Let any thinking sceptc 90 to hear him
melt with ridicule and noisy humor venerable ng-
ures that call for calm discussion and reverent ar
eurnent and think It will cure him. As Dr. PIER
son SAYS he Is like a mschievous boy VINO WIN
out any appreciation OF the beautiful. Spots 'he
classic face In fine piece Of statuary ny pun
ting charcoal whskers It. People laugh but
they know the whiskers did not grow there ana
that they are easily wiped OFF
Colonel IngersoT says that the devil is the father
OF nodesty because ne notified Adam ana Eve lha'
they were naked and that the devil founoen tne
first university because he told them to eat OF Inc
tree of knowledge. That IS funny. Of course but let
us see II II is true To the pure all things are pure
and the perfect human figure when looked al VII"
the chaste and artistic eye Is more oeauthui .iia
anything we can imagine The lilies OF the heiu' a.
they are clothed by God are more peau'liul IMAM
all the gorgeous array Of Solomon "ha' '"'""
taught Adam and Eve was how TO think impure
thoughts After all. We can have something better
than innocence: We can have holiness. Innocence
70 only ignorance-holiness is purity proven aller
the soul has met with temptation and mas crieu
LEAD me to the Rock that is higher thah l.
God founded the first university. for He taught
our first parents Himself. What Satan taught them
was about the tree Of knowledge OF good and evil
They knew good, Satan taught them evil
The Colonel praises Mary Magdaien, as well no
rnight hut he blames the risen Christ for saying
Touch me not" He did not add the rest OF
cbr,st.s words "for am not yet ascended unto my
father" What that means we do not know. but
Christ certainly loved Mary for He spoke or Goo
as my father and your father and my COO ana
your God" II IS a new charge TO DrlhS asd-hS'
the Friend OF all sinners, the holy one whose lee'
were washed by the tears Of sinful women. that lie
told them not TO come near Him. Surely Colonel
Ingerson knows better.
1t is not liberal 10 lie about anybody, much less
such one as the Christ. to whom Colonel lnger-
soil is dear because Of the bond between God ana
all OF His children.
The problem Of evil Who can explain that? do
not pretend TO- II is as to holiness what night is
70 day Surely Colonel Ingersoll cannot expect TO
understand all OF the ways Of God. DID he do so II
would simply prove that a human mind Is as great
as the divine Religion is nothing If It is not super
natural When God teaches US In HIS word by our
consc,ences and by the world around US how to
reach for and obtain purity and righteousness ana
sonship he does not lay bare 10 US all His secret
workings. We only know Him through the lace u
or course the Bible teaches that there IS q per
sona devil and ne one who G2uD,s ~ m@s ana
found himself opposed every point. But a emu
OF God can always triumph for our Christ the Lion
of the Tribe Of Judah. has said. My grace Is SUI
fcient for thee" SO 1t is. .,..o
IL We are free moral agents-and we are-theIe
certainly must be a right and wrong. mat stands
10 reason. The devil Is not greater than Coz but
God Is iust and as He has always been an mol
v.dual seeker H. Will even be just 20 satan Nhcn
wicked men and women entrap innocency We are
apt 20 ask Why does God not snniliate mem Z
Hts constant cry is. Repent and be saved. Please
do not think thinking the deNli Will De CON
verted ! am only humDy trying 10 show mat tie
same rule that applies TO human devils might Apply
Ir spite OF Colonel Ingersolls statement TO the
contrary the apostles were craven towards untl
the Holy Ghost descended upon them ana ihey
knew that Christ was indeed risen from the dead.
Then they became Of God and died ar mar
tyrs and brave men II only the women who
followed Christ and remained true always And IL
is they. with their sublime faith, who are ming
the churches to-day 60,
The marvellous change in the apostles; who hid
away and denied Christ at HIS trial; and fearless
~ carried His Gospel the world after His death,
and died for their belief is the strongest argument
for His divinity that could be made.
course the Bible distinctly states that these
things are spiritually discerned" and Colonel In
perso is not spiritual man. That. too. stands
10 reason How could expect an ignorant man
who had never had the beautiful developed IN him
10 understand the charm Of books paintings and
music? Play him jig and he Will laugh PLAY a
classical selection and he VIII rs that music?
Truly yours MAHGAtsEI HEADI-EN.
Monday Feb