According to the Scriptures, the devil has always

208

been successful. He enjoys himself. He is called

"the prince of the power of the air." He has no

conscientious scruples. He has miraculous power.

All miraculous power must come of God, otherwise

it is simply in accordance with nature. If the devil

can work a miracle, it is only with the consent and

by the assistance of the Almighty. Is the God of

Mr. Talmage in partnership with the devil? Do

they divide profits?

We are also told by the Presbyterian Church--

I quote from their Confession of Faith--that "there

"is no sin so small but it deserves damnation.'' Yet

Mr. Talmage tells us that God is good, that he is filled

with mercy and loving-kindness. A child nine or ten

years of age commits a sin, and thereupon it deserves

eternal damnation. That is what Mr. Talmage calls,

not simply justice, but mercy; and the sympathetic

heart of Christ is not touched. The same being who

said: "Suffer little children to come unto me," tells

us that a child, for the smallest sin, deserves to be

eternally damned. The Presbyterian Church tells us

that infants, as well as adults, in order to be saved,

need redemption by the blood of Christ, and regen-

eration by the Holy Ghost.

The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 05 (of 12) Dresden Edition—Discussions · 第 42 / 68 题