The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-24
lNGERSOLLISM A FAILURE.
DIR. =. d. CHAPMAN's DISCUSSION OF
THE GREAT AGNOsTIC.

InEersoII's Idea as Old as the Chris
tan Ern-He simply EndeHvOred
TO Gidicule Christianity and TO
DiScredit the BibIe-The General
Adoption of His Principles Would
Mean the Destruction of the Fam
iIy, of Society and of Commerce.
Dr. Chnpman's Third Anniversary
as Pastor of the DuTy street
Church.
"The Fruitlessness of Agnosticlsm" was
the subject of Rev j. D. Chapman's SER
mon at the Duffy Street Baptist Church
last night. 1t had been announced that
Dr. Chapman would discuss the life and
death of Robert G. IngersolL There was
a large congregation present, but this Is
nothing unusual at the Duffy Street
Church.
Dr. Chapman said that the death of the
great agnostic gave occasion not to make
any personal attack, but 10 examine his
public utterances and see If they were
worthy for young men and young women
TO be governed by. Ingersoll. said Dr.
Chapman, taught nothing new. His ideas
We're as old as The Christian era. Two
great points were made by him in his
lectures. one was the effort to ridicule the
Christian religion, and the other the effort
to discredit the teachings of the Bible
Some things are done in the name of
Christianity" said Dr. Chapman which
none Of us hold TO- but the Christianity
of the Bible is fundamental and the very
thought of God for man. AS an agnostic
Mr. Ingerson undertook to be an author
ity, a teacher of men. His lectures, how
ever. were always delivered and his books
written for pay. on the agnostic plan
there would be a destruction of the family
of society, and of all the commercial rela-
tons of man. Faith is necessarily the
basis Of all intercourse. A man could not
live in Savannah who had lost faith IN
everybody. He would voluntarily make
himself a Robinson Crusoe, and so become
an exile from all good"
a man who adopts the platform of In
gerson. DR.. Chapman said, surrenders
everything which tends to make him a
better and nobler man, his impulse TO
Righteousness. the high ideal of sainthood,
the inspiration of benefcence, fraternity
with the MODEST of manhood, and the pos
sib.Hty of moral renewal and life ever
lasting. Every prop is knocked out from
under him He simply drifts. His is like
George Eliot, who describes her going
away into infidenty in the beautiful little
poem. entitled, Push Off the Boat"
"What is the end of such men?" in
quired DR.. Chapman. Nearly every one
of them who has been able to speak at
death has renowned the ideas which he
formerly advocated. and has implored God
for pardon. Tom Paine, the great infidel,
on his death bed wished that his Age of
Reason could be destroyed, and among
his last words We're, o. God, forgive me.
O, Jesus, have mercy upon me. Inger-
solls death came suddenly and without
warning, He was given no opportunity to
repent. He was struck down as with
bolt from heaven.
''What has he left to mankind? Moth
ing. He tried 10 upset the faith in which,
so many have lived and died. which, If 1t
were not true, it would be well to upset.
The faith which he sought to overturn viii
live on, and Mr.. Ingersolls name will be
forgotten, save as numbered among the
agnostcs of this country"
The day being the third anniversary of
DIR. Chapman's pastorate with the Duffy
Street Church, the subject of ministerial
duties was discussed and his work with
the church reviewed In discussing the
spirit Of his ministry, DR.. Chapman said
that he had worked alike among all classes
Of people and that he had endeavored 20
be affectionate with people who resisted
the opportunities of the gospel There
had necessarily been many trials in a
work as new as that at the Duffy Street
| Church, he saAd, These trials God had
| enabled them TO overcome. During these
! years the church had built a house, and
| IS nearly out of debt. There have been
| 2l2 additions to the church during the
| years of his pastorate, 1879 being by hap
! tsm. A harmonious and united spirit
! characterlzes the church and its members
! work together in everything, DR.. Chap
man said that he had not only preached
! the gospel publicly from the pulpit, but
/ had taught from house to house. a large
| port of his time being given to pastoral
| visits. Throughout he had taught the
| fundamental doctrines of Christianity,
/ faith and repentance, and every doctrine
that comes out of these.
At the close of the night service DR..
! Chapman announced that he and Mrs
! Chapman will leave on the Kansas Citv
this afternoon en- route for Mortified.
| Mass, where they viii spend the next
! three weeks in attendance upon Mr..
| Noodys school for church workers. After
| the benedicton many of the congregation
bid DIR. ana Mrs, Chapman good-bv ana
wished them a pleasant journey and god
| speed. They will be accompanied to
| Ncrthheld by Rev. w II. Smith. pastor of
the First Baptist Church of Columbus.
| und WIFE, and Rev. Carl Minor. pastor of
the First Baptist Church of Valdosta. who
! VIII arrive here to-day. Rev. Ed r. Cook.
pastor of Wesley Monumental Church
may also be a member OF the party.
MADE MOTHER SVPERIORESs.