Evening journal., 1899-08-15

IT'S: first, that which is known as the
human or Finite: second, that which
s known as the Infinite. The first
power pertains to events over which
man has more or less control: the sec
ond power pertains to events over
which man has not the least control
whatever Let us take any system
operated by the Human or Finite
power-railroading for example. We
instance that particular system because
it has arrived at an exceedingly high
pitch of excellence. But no matter how
we may hedge about with safeguards
that system. no matter how excellent
the precautionary measures adopted
may be. it is Fallible. liable to fail.
We have daily evidence of all that.
Now. let us take any system operated
by Infinite agency-the Universe, for
example We instance that particlar
system because it is one over the man
agement OF which man has no control.
Wherein does the management of the
Universe in the least fail? DO the
wheels OF its machinery vary by even
so much as a single revolution? Does
the sun fail to rise and set at its duly
appointed hours? Does a single planet
fail, even by the fractional part of a
second, to put in an appearance? Does
the stellar planet, the moon, ever fail,
when due, to be "a light unto the feet?"
Why. OF course not. In short, any sys-
tenn operated by Infinite agency Is abb
solutely and undeniably Infallible-
cannot fail. Now, any man who is not
obtuseness itself will readily compre-
hend that any system which never
once falls must perforce be operated
by Supreme Being, a Being other
than mortal. And it logically follows
just as logically as that night follows
the day. that that same Being gener-
ated every Fallible or earthly system
II only to mark the contradistinction
and His own vast superiority
We refuse. in toto. to discuss the
present whereabouts"--a someone
has put it--of Mr. IngersolI That is a
question which only full-hedged foo
would seek to determine. 1t is a ques-
tion OF which neither we, nor anyone
else, possess any more actual knowl.
edge than does the press which shad-
ows forth these lines The wind OF
mortality has extiAguished the earthly
light OF Mr.. Ingersoh just as it extin-
guishes the earthly radiance OF some
lesser or more commonplace mortal
But it is not given to we poor, finite
creatures to penetrate the mysteries OF
the hidden depths of that selfsame wind
1t is exceedingly wise that such is the
case. Let rs rather fall back upon
the generots sentiment, somewhat
grim though that sentiment be. once
advanced by the late Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher. do you like Mr.. Ingersoll,
NIL DtAnti Wbo onh1As Atot Wdi
the reply, Il love all my fellowmen.
And let me say" continued Mr.
Beecher, that when Mr.. Ingersoll dies
whether he goes to heaven or hell, l.
wish him ioyl'
II the above reflections should en-
courage even but one to stand firm in
the Christian faith-a faith which
belts the entire civilized world, and
without the adoption Of which faith
the intrinsic greatness Of individuals
and nations alike withers and decays
III, we repeat, our reflections, apropos
Of the death OF Robert G. Ingersoll-
that empire egationist-should en-
courage even but one to stand firm
then the pen will not have been taken
up altogether in vain.
ERNEST IS1TT
philadelnhfa August IA 1899.