_Question_. Will you take any notice of Mr. Magrath's challenge?
_Answer_. I do not think it worth while to discuss with Mr. Magrath.
I do not say this in disparagement of his ability, as I do not know
the gentleman. He may be one of the greatest of men. I think,
however, that Mr. Magrath might better answer what I have already
said. If he succeeds in that, then I will meet him in public
discussion. Of course he is an eminent theologian or he would not
think of discussing these questions with anybody. I have never
heard of him, but for all that he may be the most intelligent of
men.
_Question_. How have the recently expressed opinions of our local
clergy impressed you?
_Answer_. I suppose you refer to the preachers who have given
their opinion of me. In the first place I am obliged to them for
acting as my agents. I think Mr. Hogan has been imposed upon.
Tacitus is a poor witness--about like Josephus. I say again that
we have not a word about Christ written by any human being who
lived in the time of Christ--not a solitary word, and Mr. Hogan
ought to know it.
The Rev. Mr. Matthews is mistaken. If the Bible proves anything,
it proves that the world was made in six days and that Adam and
Eve were built on Saturday. The Bible gives the age of Adam when
he died, and then gives the ages of others down to the flood, and
then from that time at least to the return from the captivity. If
the genealogy of the Bible is true it is about six thousand years
since Adam was made, and the world is only five days older than
Adam. It is nonsense to say that the days were long periods of
time. If that is so, away goes the idea of Sunday. The only reason
for keeping Sunday given in the Bible is that God made the world
in six days and rested on the seventh. Mr. Mathews is not candid.
He knows that he cannot answer the arguments I have urged against
the Bible. He knows that the ancient Jews were barbarians, and
that the Old Testament is a barbarous book. He knows that it
upholds slavery and polygamy, and he probably feels ashamed of what
he is compelled to preach.
Mr. Jardine takes a very cheerful view of the subject. He expects
the light to dawn on the unbelievers. He speaks as though he were
the superior of all Infidels. He claims to be a student of the
evidences of Christianity. There are no evidences, consequently
Mr. Jardine is a student of nothing. It is amazing how dignified
some people can get on a small capital.
Mr. Haley has sense enough to tell the ministers not to attempt to
answer me. That is good advice. The ministers had better keep
still. It is the safer way. If they try to answer what I say,
the "sheep" will see how foolish the "shepherds" are. The best
way is for them to say, "that has been answered."
Mr. Wells agrees with Mr. Haley. He, too, thinks that silence is
the best weapon. I agree with him. Let the clergy keep still;
that is the best way. It is better to say nothing than to talk
absurdity. I am delighted to think that at last the ministers have
concluded that they had better not answer Infidels.
Mr. Woods is fearful only for the young. He is afraid that I will
hurt the children. He thinks that the mother ought to stoop over
the cradle and in the ears of the babe shout, Hell! So he thinks
in all probability that the same word ought to be repeated at the
grave as a consolation to mourners.
I am glad that Mr. Mann thinks that I am doing neither good nor
harm. This gives me great hope. If I do no harm, certainly I
ought not to be eternally damned. It is very consoling to have an
orthodox minister solemnly assert that I am doing no harm. I wish
I could say as much for him.
The truth is, all these ministers have kept back their real thoughts.
They do not tell their doubts--they know that orthodoxy is doomed
--they know that the old doctrine excites laughter and scorn. They
know that the fires of hell are dying out; that the Bible is ceasing
to be an authority; and that the pulpit is growing feebler and
feebler every day. Poor parsons!
_Question_. Would the Catholicism of General Sherman's family
affect his chances for the presidency?
_Answer_. I do not think the religion of the family should have
any weight one way or the other. It would make no difference with
me; although I hate Catholicism with all my heart, I do not hate
Catholics. Some people might be so prejudiced that they would not
vote for a man whose wife belongs to the Catholic Church; but such
people are too narrow to be consulted. General Sherman says that
he wants no office. In that he shows his good sense. He is a
great man and a great soldier. He has won laurels enough for one
brow. He has the respect and admiration of the nation, and does
not need the presidency to finish his career. He wishes to enjoy
the honors he has won and the rest he deserves.
_Question_. What is your opinion of Matthew Arnold?
_Answer_. He is a man of talent, well educated, a little fussy,
somewhat sentimental, but he is not a genius. He is not creative.
He is a critic--not an originator. He will not compare with
Emerson.
--_The Journal_, Kansas City, Missouri, February 23, 1884.