Blue-grass blade., 1899-12-10

ed Of similar offense, and sentenced
to two years In the penitentiary, by
United States Judge, Thompson, Of
Cincinnati. These two men we're
prosecuted by preachers, and these
two cases are but small per cent OF
the punishment that has been infict-
ed in the last 20 years, on intelligent,
noble men who honestly worked for
the betterment OF the human race.
The work of these men did not
please the clergy. They feared that
such would drive many OF them to
earning their living by hard work,
instead Of by preaching few hours,
each week to their believers, for sala-
ries.
There Is no doubt that the majori-
ty of priests and preachers are sim
cere, and honestly believe that they
are engaged in noble work, but 1t
is only because they have not inves-
tigated right. l most cheerfully ad-
NIT that thousands of ministers are
endeavoring to do good; that they
are pure, self denying men, who are
trying to m AXE the world better, but
there is frightful defect in their
philosophy.
They say to the bank cashier, "You
must not steal; larceny is wrong,
and is contrary to all laws human
and divine, but il you do steal every
cent in the bank, God will as gladly
and quickly forgive you in Canada as
he will in the United States" p"
On the other hand Liberalism says
there is no being controlling the
universe who rewards virtue and
Furnishes vice. Every act has its
necessary consequences. If the act is
good the consequences are good. IL
it is bad the consequences are bad,
and must be borne by the actor.
Liberalism says to every human be-
ing, "You must reap what you have
sown."
If all men knew that they must
abide the consequences of their own
actions, the world in my judgment,
would be better.
Freethought has attacked the doc
trine OF the atonement. The inno-
cent should not suffer for the guilty,
and IL the innocent do suffer for the
guilty that does not justify guilt.
ThisAisa-sas<gns1i 4n11
dence we can produce that has care
fully been selected from histories,
and from various parts of the world.
to prove that all the worlds claimed
inspired books are no more inspired
than any other books.r
If any one wants to know the truth
about religion he should read some
of the following books that can be
bought of Peter Eckler, 35 Fulton
Street, New York City, or the Truth
Seeker, 28 La Fayette Place, New
York City, at prices ranging from 8
to 25 cents.
The Rev. Field-Ingersoll Discus
sion; the Judge Black-Ingersoll
Discussion; in these two pamphlets
both sides are most ably represent
ed, and argued as to whether religion
is divine and beneficial, or the con-
trary; also (which Way, 1.-THE Age
of Reason" "False Claims of the
Church, "Why don't God Kill the
Devil2" "How to Reform Mankind, +"
"The Worlds Sixteen Crucified Saw
iors," ''Ingersoll as he is, Ginger
soil to the Clergy" "Blue Laws of
Connecticut, "Infidels and Charity"
Superstition" HAS the universe a
moral Governor" "Crimes OF
Preachers" and "Was Lincoln a
Christian2" The last named only
consists of authentic testimonials OF
Lincoln s widow, and many other re-
spectacle citizens of Springfield, ILL.,,
who were we'll acquainted with him,
showing that the President died a
Liberal.
Other valuable books are; "Was
Jefferson a Christian? n?'-consisting
of reliable statements, showing clear
ly that he was a Liberal. WAS
Washington a Christian" "Inidel
Death-bed Testimonials. " "Rey-
nold's Blasphemy Trail, giving
details of Christian New Jersey pros
ecuting good man for having ex-
pressed his honest opinion about re-
ligion. "SLudies in Theology"
"The Bible against Itself" and 1850
Contradictions.
The last three can he had by ad-
dressing The Independent Pulpit,
Waco, Texas.
The five leading Liberal papers
are, The Torch OF Reason,
Silverton, Oregan; Independent
Pulpit, Waco, Texas; Freethought
Ideal, Ottawa. Kansas; Truth Seek
err, % La Fayette Place, New York
City; The Investigator, Boston,
Mass.
All fair minded seekers OF lnforma-
tion should read these b ,oks and pa
pers, for they read equally we'll on
each side of the subjects that they
discuss, and are far more liable to
give accurate information than those
written in the interest of only one
side.
Christian millionaires, one dollar
spent for reform is better than hun
dreds spent in other directions.
Remove the clouds OF ignorance
and religion from the minds of the
poor and middle classes OF the peo