Col. Ingersoll tells us that “intellectual liberty, as a matter of
necessity, forever destroys the idea that belief is either PRAISE OR
BLAMEWORTHY, and is wholly inconsistent with every creed in Christendom.”
Again, he says, “No man can control his belief.” Notwithstanding all this,
his whole occupation consists in traveling over the country and blaming
men, women and children for their belief. He is consistent? He is a
Scientist, you know? He does nothing that is absurd? He is a philosopher,
sitting on the bones of Moses and making grimaces at the faith of Moses,
when neither Moses nor his friends could control their belief? He works
hard for no purpose if men can’t control their belief, and does men
injustice, IF HE BLAMES THEM FOR THEIR FAITH?
“No man can control his belief.” Then why labor to make your brother of
humanity believe that he is but—
The pilgrim of a day?
Spouse of the worm and brother of the clay,
Frail as the leaf in autumn’s yellow bower,
Dust in the wind, or dew upon the flower?
A child without a sire;
Whose mortal life and transitory fire
Light to the grave his chance-created form,
As ocean wrecks illuminate the storm.