The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-13
MET INGERsOLL ONCE.
But Neither Could Convince the 9th
err That Either Was Wrong.

But Neither Could Convince the 9th
err That Either WAS wrong.
From the Chicago Times Herald
A pleasant memory of one who has Just
passed from us occurs TO me when for the
first time met Col Ingersol, and the host
of that occasion-himself now crossed over
to that further shore-sald to his dstin-
guished guest:
MIR. Ingersol here is some one who
wants to known real live iniidel,' and he
then introduced me In approved form.
Ventured to say;
'Yes. Col. IngeTsoll. ! have often read
of inndels and heard of them but | never
knew any one who was willing to admit
being an infidel"
sgNo?" he said pleasantly; then here Is
vour chance" He drew himself up 70
show his fine hight and breadth, and suik-
ing himself dramatically upon the breast
continued: Look at me. ! am an inhdei
and am proud to avow Il. Have you any
text at your command that will III my
case?'
He looked so handsome and boyish as he
smoke that a great pity for him was arous~
ed in my heart, and l shall always believe
that II was an inspiration that made me
answer solemnly:
eyes. Here II is 'Ephraim Is Joined to
idols; let him alone You will find It In
that book you ridcule, and it means thar
the holy spirit has wthdrawn-you are
left alone Yours is the Gospel Of De-
spar."
Such a change came over his face that
| regretted my presumption ana reared
that / had offended him with a word OUT
Of season, but he turned TO a sofa near
and asked me to be seated. and then be-
gan a conversation that I shall never for
get lie first used wit, metaphor ana IL
lustrauan, In vein of ridicule, but grad
ually he grew serious, and then admitted
that he would be glad II he could believe,
but that all religion was founded on SUI
perstiuon and that ignorance ana super
stition went hand IN hand.
He next tried to prove the selhshness
Of religion by an illustration which he or
iginatod on that occasion. He drew pic
tnro Of "A disappointed man reaching New
York in time to see the steamer upon
which he had engaged passage leaving the
dock without him. The delayed passen-
ger was angry and chagrined, but at mid
ocean the steamer went down and 800 peo-
ple were drowned. Then that man who
had missed the boat got down on his
knees and thanked God for letting him
miss the steamer and 50 saving his mis-
cradle cowardly little soul. ] listened
| charmed with his oratory his dramatic
effects and his eloquent language, but
waited for answer:
God had nothing TO do with that In
! both events il was the mistake of man
Your premises, Col. Ingersoll, are neither
| logical nor theological You are not as
| dangerous as l feared"
He laughed good humoredly, and our
! host came up al the moment and the mar
who was then the idol Of the lecture plat
| form said, as he shook hands IN farewell
Some day will have it out with your
| Gavin. Come and hear me lecture mex
| week and be convinced"
Never" ] retorted, courteously; 'you
would take from the little ! have and give
me nothing in return"
No fippancy marked the intercourse Of
| Robert Ingersol with death. His match
| less eloquence, held In leash from attach
| Of ridlcule or invective, was attuned TO thi
| ear OF the mourner. Al the funeral O
! Mrs. Ida Whiting Knowles. wife Of How
! ard Knowles United States collector a
! Peoria, who died in New York, Mr.. In
| eersol made an address lhat was almos
| hopeless in It's efforts 10 comfort. but 81
| tenderly expressed that II stood for
| tribute Of affection and respect and rep
rcrcnted Immortality in these exquisite
| phrascs;
when the angel OF death-the maskeS
| and vOlceless-cnters The door OF home
there come with him al the daughters o
| compassion. and Of these love and hope re
| main forever"