,,! ,,lo/ ,,fai?1      ,,&              
,,difficulties ,,( ,,! ,,bible ,,z      
,,te/$    ,,by ,,! ,,laws ,,( ,,evid5ce4
      ,,by    ,t4 ,s4 ,,*ilds1 ,d4 ,d4  
,,philadelphia3      ,,presbyt]ian      
,,bo>d ,,( ,,publication    ,,&         
,,sabba?-,,s*ool ,,"w1      ,no4 #accd  
,,*e/nut ,,/reet            ,,copyright1
 #ahhh1 ,,by    ,,! ,,tru/ees ,,( ,,!   
,,presbyt]ian ,,bo>d ,,( ,,publication  
,,& ,,sabba?-,,s*ool ,,"w4        ,,all 
,,rights ,,res]v$4        ,,we/cott     
,,?omson1    ,/]eotyp]s & ,electrotyp]s1
 ,philada4          ,"s ( ! mo/ pa!tic  
cases ( ! spiritual unre/ &  skepticism 
( ! day are f\nd among ! *ildr5 (       
,*ri/ian  p>5ts4 ,!y h be5 br\ght up to 
believe ! ,bible1 b "u  ! influ5ces t h 
met !m z !y h gone out f !  old home    
into ! _w _! e>ly fai? has be5 %ak51 & n
  unfrequ5tly de/roy$4 ,to su* z ^!1 &1 
beyond ^!1 to all  :o h come to believe 
t our age has pass$ beyond ! ,bible1 x  
is hop$ t ! incid5ts & argum5ts ( ?is   
little book may be  ( s]vice4           

,,wa%+ton1 ,d4 ,c41 ,june1 #ahhh4       
,,! ,,lo/ ,,fai?4          ,,lett] ,i4  
,,my ,,de> ,c----3 ,x is useless = y to 
write to me on ! subject (  y\r la/     
lett]4 ,i appreciate y\r motives1 b ) me
 ! "q  is settl$4 ,i h giv5 up ! beliefs
 ( my *ildhood2 !y _h  long be5 a burd5 
to me1 & ! writ+s & lectures ( ,mr4 ----
  did ! re/4 ,h y he>d him8 ,c he be    
fairly answ]$8 ,i am  n1 inde$1 z       
confid5t z he is t !re is no p]sonal    
,god1  ?\gh ,i d n believe x c be prov$1
 & ,i entirely agree )  him 9 abhorr+ & 
reject+ ! doctr9e ( future suff]+4 ,?is 
0 ! horrible nightm>e ( my *ildhood1 & y
 _c conceive  ! relief t ! rejection ( !
 doctr9e has giv5 me4 ,i am  frank to   
say1 f my own exp]i5ce & t ( o!rs1 t ?is
 is  ! po9t t gives ,mr4 ---- 8 hold on 
s _m4 ,! doctr9e (  endless suff]+ = !  
s9s ( ?is life is abhorr5t to !m1 &  !y 
welcome 8 views almo/ z a fir/ tru? (   
reason4 ,?is1 at  lea/1 is my position4 
,! exi/5ce ( ,god _c be prov$1 nor c    
any immortality = man except 9 !        

influ5ce he may leave beh9d  him4 ,b a  
truce to ?is4 ,come to me soon if y are 
n afraid (  my infidelity1 & let u live 
ov] ! days ( our boyhood4 ,mo/  ( ! de> 
old fri5ds are gone2 we are ne>ly alone1
 & ,i am n  incl9$ to drop ! la/ l9ks ( 
bright]1 & p]haps bett]1 days  ?an ^! n[
 ^u u4 ,y\rs1 truly1      ,a----4       
99       99       99       99       99  
,,my ,,de> ,a----3 ,y\r lett] has mov$  
me deeply4 ,yes1 we are  almo/ alone4 ,(
 all ! de> gr\p t us$ to ga!r 9 !  old  
s*ool-h\se1 & play ^u ! common1 & /roll 
along !  riv]-banks 9 summ] & skate ^u  
its solid surface 9 w9t]1 y  & ,i are   
ne>ly all t rema94 ,! ,s\!rn sea has    
poor ,h----2  ,w----1 ! lead] ( our     
sports1 fell 7"u ano!r "n1 ,i ?9k7  )   
,cu/]'s b& 9 ! wild trag$y ( ,montana2  
,b---- & ,s----  won _! honors1 & 7     
buri$ ) !m1 on ! battlefield2  ,k----   
lives a wreck 9 m9d & body4 ,! re/ are  
scatt]$4 ,! old  homes are all *ang$2 ! 
inmates are gone f !m = ev]4    ,& y are
 *ang$4 ,no recollections ( ! pa/ t y\r 

lett]  has call$ up h impress$ me m     
sadly ?an ! *ange y speak  ( 9 y\rself4 
,y h lo/ ! fai? ( y\r *ildhood4 ,x is   
true  y d n speak ( x z a loss3 y ?9k y 
h ga9$ by x4  ,y\r e>ly beliefs oppress$
 y1 & y h escap$ ! burd5 by  reject+    
belief 9 ,god & 9 a future life4    ,let
 me claim ! lib]ty ( an old fri5d--x may
 be = ! la/  "t1 = we %all soon bo? be  
away--& ask if y are sure (  y\r gr\nd4 
,! que/ions are too mom5t\s1 ! int]e/s  
involv$  are too great & too la/+1 to be
 risk$ on an unc]ta9ty4 ,y  are n1      
inde$1 sure t !re is no ,god1 b y are   
sure t no  man c prove t !re is2 & y are
 equally c]ta9 t !re  c be no future    
/ate ( suff]+ = any4 ,y\r f9al          
conclusions  y h rea*$ ?r\gh ! influ5ce 
( ,mr4 ----1 & y admit  t 8 hold on y & 
on o!rs has come l>gely ?r\gh 8         
passionate d5ials ( ! doctr9e ( future  
retribution4 ,i h no  d\bt ?is is s4 ,b1
 aft] all1 is ?is decisive8 ,are ,mr4   
----'s  d\bts & d5ials m to be reli$ on 
?an ! positive beliefs  ( z intellig5t &

 good m5 z ! _w has ev] se58 ,i d n     
press ?is z pro( "o way or ! o!r1 b x is
 some?+ wor?  ?9k+ ( be=e y give up =   
ev] y\r respect = ,*ri/ianity  & !      
,bible4    ,y\r lett] has call$ up      
memories t w n d[n at ! bidd+4  ,y      
rememb] y\r "m2 y rememb] h] life2 y    
rememb] h]  dea?4 ,! day aft] h] burial 
we 7 sitt+1 y & ,i1 "u !  old will[ on !
 bank ( ! riv]--x is all be=e me n[--& y
  told me h[ %e di$ ) h] h& on y\r head1
 & h[ be=e %e  di$ y promis$ to meet h] 
aga94 ,0 x all a delusion8 ,did %e  g   
out 9 f9al d>kness8 ,& 0 y\r promise !  
folly ( *ildhood8    ,w y be> ) me if ,i
 recall ano!r & a lat] sc5e8 ,!  days ( 
*ildhood 7 beh9d u4 ,we _h drift$ ap>t4 
,y rema9$  among ! old home-sc5es2 ,i 0 
mak+ my way among /rang]s4 ,!n  "o w5t f
 y :o _h become de>] to y ?an a "m4 ,i  
h be=e me a lett] t came to me out ( !  
%ad[s ( t  bitt] trial2 ,i "k y w n     
misjudge me if ,i quote its words  n[4  
,?us y wrote3 ,i am sure su* a life _c h
 end$2 !  possibilities ( x _c yet be   

f9i%$4 ,t s\l1 ) all its  sweetness &   
beauty & brightness1 _c h be5 qu5*$ l  a
 sp>k on ! ocean4444 ,h] la/ words 71   
',i g ) ,him :o has  br\ght life &      
immortality to light1 & :o has op5$ !   
k+dom  ( heav5 to all believ]s4' ,i w\ld
 n recall ^! e>ly views  & fai?s        
unk9dly4 ,if !y 7 wrong1 ( c\rse y are  
"r 9  p>t+ ) !m2 b is x c]ta9 !y 7      
wrong8 ,& 9 giv+  !m up h y f\nd some?+ 
bett] & m sure to take _!  place8    ,"o
 important po9t ,i presume y h n        
ov]look$3 :atev]  d\bts !re may be z to 
! exi/5ce ( ,god1 a!ism c nev] be       
prov$4 ,no man c ev] be sure t !re is n 
a ,god2 he may  d5y t ! pro( ( div9e    
exi/5ce satisfies him1 b t is  all he c 
d4 ,some:]e 9 ! univ]se1 aft] all1 ,god 
may be4 ,no  man has explor$ all its    
recesses2 none has pi]c$ its limitless  
heights2 none has ?read$ all its d>k    
abysses & f\nd t 9 x  all !re is no     
,god4 ,a man mu/ himself h ! attributes 
( ,god to  "k t !re is no ,god4 ,&      
suppose ,i _c prove t !re is a  ,god8   

,if ,i live z if !re 7 "o & x %\ld happ5
 t !re  is n1 ,i am safe2 ,i lose no?+4 
,b if ,i live z if !re 7 no  ,god & x   
%\ld come to pass at la/ t !re is1 :]e  
am ,i8 ,(  two untravel$ pa?s1 x is     
wise/ to take t :i* is kn[n to  be safe4
    ,b suppose x to be a "q (           
probabilities4 ,suppose y h  to *oose   
betwe5 an endless succession ( f9ite    
causes1 z a man1  an oak1 a fl[]1 a     
dewdrop--n "o ( :i* is adequate to its  
own  exi/5ce--& "o inf9ite1 et]nal      
self-exi/5t1 almighty &  allwise ,cause 
( all ?+s 7& "s su* *oice soon] or lat] 
y  mu/ make71 :i* is ! bett]8 ,:i* is ! 
m reasonable8 ,if y  ?9k ?r\gh ^!       
que/ions at all1 ei!r y mu/ at la/ admit
 a  ,god or y mu/ make some?+ = y\rself 
t w d ! "w (  ,god2 & ! ,god y make mu/ 
d :at actually is done n[2 :at  he w d  
h]eaft]1 :o c say8 ,y\r fri5d1 ,mr4     
----1 tells y  t all !re is is all !    
,god !re is--t ! univ]se is  all !re is 
or 0 or w be4 ,?is is pan!i/ic a!ism2 x 
is a  m]e ass]tion )\t a p>ticle ( pro(2

 & if true1 x c give  u no relief = !   
future1 z ,i hope to satisfy y4    ,by !
 side ( ?is utt]ance ( ,mr4 ---- let me 
put ! words (  t k+ 9 ! realm ( sci5ce1 
,pr(essor ,joseph ,h5ry4 ,!y are  f\nd 9
 ! la/ lett] t he ev] wrote1 & may be   
tak5 z !  f9al summ+ up ( all ^? va/    
rese>*es t h made 8  "n ! h]itage ( !   
_w4 ,!y are entitl$ to "s weight  z     
aga9/ ! /atem5ts ( m5 :o1 if !y c foll[ 
9 8  foot/eps at all1 mu/ foll[ af> (f4 
,^! are 8 words3 ,aft]  all our         
speculations & an attempt to grapple ) !
 problem (  ! univ]se1 ! simple/        
conception :i* expla9s & connects  !    
ph5om5a is t ( ! exi/5ce ( "o spiritual 
,be+  inf9ite 9 wisdom1 9 p[] & all     
div9e p]fections4 ,t is1  ! simple/ & ! 
be/ explanation ( ! facts ( ! univ]se   
is f\nd 9 ! exi/5ce ( ,god4 ,?is is     
te/imony accept$ by !  highe/ sci5tific 
au?ority bo? 9 ?is c\ntry & 9 ,europe4  
,i  d n say t x proves !re is a ,god1 b 
x does prove t  belief 9 ,god is        
consi/5t ) ! highe/ intellectual p[]4   

,to  disbelieve is no pro( ( a great    
m9d4    ,mr4 ---- eulogizes ,?omas ,pa9e
 z "o ( ! greate/ & be/ m5  ( 8 age--a  
man ^: writ+s c>ry conviction to !      
dulle/4  ,n[1 ,pa9e1 ?\gh a bitt] en\gh 
infidel1 z we all "k1 nev] s  p>t$ f 8  
reason or 8 rev]5ce z to d5y ! exi/5ce (
  ,god4 ,he says ) a =ce t1 accord+ to  
,mr4 ----1 mu/ c>ry  conviction to !    
dulle/3 ,i "k ,i did n make myself1 &   
yet  ,i h exi/5ce2 & by se>*+ into !    
nature ( o!r ?+s  ,i f9d no o!r ?+ c\ld 
make itself1 & yet millions ( o!r  ?+s  
exi/2 !re=e x is t ,i "k by positive    
conclusions  result+ f ?is se>* t !re is
 a p[] sup]ior to all  ^! ?+s1 & t p[]  
is ,god4 ,pa9e believ$ 9 ,god2 he       
believ$ 9 a future life2 he believ$ 9 ! 
p]son ( ,*ri/1 (  :om ,mr4 ---- s f>    
takes leave ( all hi/oric judgm5t1 & ev5
  ( all respectable infidel judgm5ts1 z 
to say we d n "k t  he ev] exi/$6       
,?is sugge/s a ^w 9 reg>d to y\r        
que/ions :e!r ,i h he>d  ,mr4 ---- &    
:e!r he c be fairly answ]$4 ,i h nev]   

he>d  him on ! subjects ( :i* y speak1 b
 ,i h read en\gh1 ,i  ?9k1 to judge him 
fairly4 ,i recognize 8 brilliant gifts1 
8  wit1 8 rhetorical p[]1 b ,i am       
surpris$ t "o ( y\r  natural cle>ness ( 
m9d %\ld n see t he deals mo/ unfairly  
) ! que/ions ( religion4 ,8             
repres5tation ( ,*ri/ianity  is a       
c>icature1 & x takes great *>ity n to   
believe x is  an int5tional c>icature4  
,8 treatm5t ( ! ,scriptures is          
inexcusably unfair4 ,if a ,*ri/ian 7 to 
deal ) an infidel book  z ,mr4 ----     
deals ) ! ,bible1 !re w\ld be no b\nd to
 !  *>ges ( outrage\s misrepres5tation &
 p]v]sion4 ,8 abuse  ( ,*ri/ians &      
,*ri/ianity is (t5 m l ! rav+ ( a       
madman ?an l ! calm judgm5t ( a         
fair-m9d$ reason]4 ,:at  are we to ?9k (
 a man :o c sit d[n & delib]ately write 
& s5d out to ! _w su* words z           
^!8--,hundr$s1 &  ?\s&s1 & millions1 h  
lo/ _! reason 9 contemplat+ !  mon/r\s  
falsehoods ( ,*ri/ianity2 ,n9e-t5?s ( ! 
p 9  ! p5it5ti>ies are believ]s2 ,!     

or?odox ,*ri/ian says t  if he c only   
save 8 little s\l1 if he c b>ely squeeze
 into  heav51 444 x matt]s n to him :at 
becomes ( bro!r or si/]1  fa!r or "m1   
wife or *ild4 ,he is will+ t !y %\ld    
burn  if he c s+4 ,?is is en\gh4 ,b :at 
%all be said ( su*  rav+s8 ,suppose ,mr4
 ---- f9ds imp]fections 9 ! ,*ur*2      
suppose  he f9ds a multitude ( pr(ess$  
,*ri/ians t are n :at !y  %\ld be1 j z  
,*ri/ has giv5 u reason to expect1--does
 t  settle ! real nature ( ,*ri/ianity8 
,suppose n9e-t5?s ( !  p 9 ! p5it5ti>ies
 7 ,am]ican citiz5s1--does t  prove t   
,am]ican citiz5%ip is a bad ?+ or make x
 wor? :ile  = a man to sp5d 8 life 9    
d5\nc+ our ,con/itution8 ,mr4 ----  kn[s
 !re is a v diff]5t k9d ( citiz51 & he  
kn[s t  ^! m5 are 9 ! p5it5ti>y1 n      
because !y h kept !  laws ( _! c\ntry1 b
 because !y h brok5 !m4 ,s1 ev5 if  !   
mon/r\s ass]tion 7 true t n9e-t5?s ( !  
occupants  ( ! p5it5ti>ies are ,*ri/ian 
pr(essors1 !y are !re1 n  on acc\nt (   
,*ri/ianity1 b 9 spite ( x4 ,true       

,*ri/ianity  nev] s5t !m !re1 & e hone/ 
man kn[s t4 ,*ri/ianity  is f\nd$ on    
,*ri/1 & ! requir$ fruit ( x is hol9ess1
  rectitude ) man & purity be=e ,god4   
,?is is a fact t any man  :o wants to "k
 ! tru? c und]/& by an h\r's /udy (  !  
tea*+s ( ,*ri/ & 8 apo/les4    ,to y\r  
"q :e!r ,mr4 ---- c be answ]$1 ,i say   
delib]ately  he has be5 answ]$ a hundr$ 
times4 ,i d n ?9k t 9 all  8 assaults on
 ! ,bible he has advanc$ a respectable  
argum5t or  objection t has n be5 urg$ &
 answ]$ aga9 & aga9 long  be=e he 0     
born4 ,! ,*ri/ian ,*ur* has n ! lea/ fe>
 =  h]self f 8 attacks2 inde$1 %e       
und]/&s !m s well1 &  has repell$ !m s  
(t51 t %e is p]haps too indiff]5t to    
any?+ he may say4 ,! dang] is n to !    
,*ur*1 b to ^?  :o want to be conv9c$ t 
! ,bible is n true1 & :o want  to be    
assur$ t1 h[ev] !y may live 9 ?is life1 
!y h  no?+ to fe> 9 a life to come4     
,indulge me 9 ano!r lett]1 & believe me 
,y\rs1 truly1    ,c----4                
,,lett] ,,ii4      ,,my ,,de> ,a----3 ,!

 two que/ions t press ^u e m9d1 &  t    
,mr4 ---- has %[n aga9 & aga91 )        
wond]ful pa?os1 by  dy+ b$s & at op5    
graves1 are press+ ^u 81 are ^!3  ,is   
!re a ,god8 ,is !re a future /ate (     
exi/5ce8 ,to ^!  que/ions ! be/ answ]   
,mr4 ---- has to give is1 ,we d n "k4   
,he seems confid5t t !re is no p]sonal  
,god1 & we _c  say :e!r dea? is a wall  
or a door1 ! beg9n+ or ! end (  a day1 !
 spread+ ( p9ions to so> or ! fold+ =   
ev] (  w+s1 ! rise or ! set ( a sun4 ,) 
all ?is unc]ta9ty1 he  is absolutely    
sure t !re is no future /ate ( suff]+ = 
evil-do]s4 ,he does n "k :e!r !re is any
 future at all1 b  he does "k t !re is  
no future ( sorr[4 ,he is pr(\ndly      
ignorant z to ! fact ( a future1 b has  
decisive k z  to ! nature ( ! future1 if
 !re is "o4 ,r ?an t  ?is doctr9e (     
endless puni%m5t %\ld be true1 he says1 
,i  w\ld gladly see ! fabric ( our      
civilization1 crumbl+1 fall to  unmean+ 
*aos & to =mless du/1 :]e oblivion      
broods & ev5  memory =gets4    ,n[1 x   

may be q true t ,mr4 ---- has ?is       
pref]5ce1 yet  ?is does n settle ! case4
 ,we c fully und]/& h[ any man  %\ld    
%r9k f ! t]rible possibility ( future   
suff]+4  ,or?odoxy has no m delight 9 x 
?an has infidelity4 ,b x is  n a "q (   
pref]5ce3 x is a "q ( fact2 & !  po9t ,i
 submit = y\r reflection is ?is--:e!r   
,mr4 ----1 on 8  own gr\nd1 is au?oriz$ 
to affirm t !re is no future /ate  (    
suff]+ = any4 ,he says we d n "k :e!r   
!re is any  future /ate4 ,v well4 ,!n1  
c]ta9ly1 we d n "k :at k9d  ( a future  
/ate !re may be1 if !re is "o4 ,if ,mr4 
---- is n  able to assure u t !re is no 
future = u at all1 he surely  has n !   
gr\nd to assure u ( any k9d ( a future1 
good or bad4  ,!re may be a future (    
joy1 !re may be a future ( suff]+2  !re 
may be bo?4 ,mr4 ---- is too good a     
lawy] to und]take to  prove any?+ by m]e
 negative evid5ce4 ,he leaves ! dead )  
,nature1 ! "m ( all1 & ,nature1 z to any
 sure utt]ance  ^u ! future1 is z sil5t 
z are ! lips ( ! dead !mselves4    ,mr4 

---- does n believe 9 a p]sonal ,god4 ,y
 are n sure  :e!r !re is "o or n4 ,!re  
may be2 !re may be none4 ,if  !re is1 we
 _c "k x4 ,let u see :at we ga9 on ei!r 
supposition4    ,suppose !re is a ,god1 
?\gh ,i _c "k x or ,i _c "k him4  ,!n1  
cle>ly1 ,i _c "k :at he is2 ,i _c "k :at
 he may  d4 ,x is q possible t ?is      
unkn[n ,god may be a ,god :o hates  :at 
we call s91 & :o w puni% x1 & :o w puni%
 x j  z long z x /&s an (f5ce 9 ! moral 
univ]se1 :e!r x  be 9 ?is _w or 9 ! _w  
to come4 ,no agno/icism c d5y  ?is      
conclusion4 ,! d>ke/ z well z ! mo/     
radiant sc5es t  ,*ri/ian fai? br+s )9  
our view may be et]nally true4 ,i may   
be immortal1 & x may be an immortality (
 joy or ( sigh+ =  me z ,i use ?is life 
& ! tru? t ,god has made kn[n to me 9   
?is life4    ,let u take ! o!r hypo!sis4
 ,suppose !re is no ,god2 suppose  ,mr4 
---- has satisfi$ me t !re is no        
sup]natural revelation1  & no p]sonal   
,god to make "o4 ,has he made x well =  
me  h]eaft]8 ,has he deliv]$ me f all   

fe> = ! future8 ,has  he sav$ me beyond 
"q f ! s]p5t ( et]nal pa98 ,if  !re is  
no ,god1 does t make x c]ta9 t !re w be 
no  future suff]+ = any man8 ,let u see4
 ,we are "h 9 a _w (  suff]+4 ,h[ came  
we "h8 & h[ did suff]+ come "h8 ,if we  
came )\t a ,god1 :o w prove t )\t a ,god
 we may n g  else:]e1 & t suff]+ may n g
 ) u8 ,"h we are--by  natural law1 by   
evolution1 by *ance--z "p & p>ticle ( ! 
"o et]nal unity2 h[ev] x may be1 we are 
"h1 & we suff]4  ,we "k :at pa9 ( body &
 pa9 ( m9d are4 ,we h felt !  /+ ( dea?1
 & no law ( nature1 no p[] ( evolution1 
has  ev] light$ up = u ! d>kness ( !    
grave4 ,n[1 ! "q  we want answ]$ is ?is3
 ,if ,nature has br\ght u into ?is /ate 
:]e !re is s mu* ( :at we call s91 & s  
mu* b\nd )  x t we call suff]+1 h[ d we 
"k t ! same ,nature may  n cont9ue !    
same facts h]eaft]8 ,nay1 :at assurance 
c ,mr4  ---- give u t ,nature is n a p[]
 t may 9 "s future  fr5zy ca/ u into a  
/ate f> worse ?an ! pres5t8 ,is he s  f>
 possess$ ( all ! secrets ( ,nature t he

 kn[s ! "t  w nev] come :5 %e may /rike 
u ) a =ce m t]rible  ?an any retributive
 judgm5t ( ,god8 ,if ,nature works n[ 9 
/orm  & fire1 9 e>?quake & pe/il5ce1 9  
disease & torture &  dea?1 9 ! sorr[s ( 
memory1 ! horrors ( remorse & dread     
=ebod+s ( com+ woe1 h[ d y "k t %e may n
 manife/  h]self ?us h]eaft] & ?r\gh !  
ages to come8    ,if ,nature is1 z ,mr4 
---- says1 ! "m ( u all1 !re are times  
:5 %e manife/s h] mo!rhood appall+ly4 ,&
 :5 are ^!  manife/ations to end & h[   
are !y to end8 ,if "u h] regal  sway we 
f9d t1 z a fact1 s9 & suff]+ are        
connect$ "h1  c any man prove t x may n 
be a law ( ,nature h]self t  s9 & suff]+
 %all be connect$ et]nally8 ,if 9 !     
imp]ial  reign ( ! "m ( u all !re are   
*a9s & sc\rges1  prisons & scaffolds1   
?und]bolts & flames1 cyclones & fam9es  
& ocean-graves1 w any man prove t       
some:]e 9 ! d>kness  & my/]y ( ! future 
!re may n be1 9 ! long outwork+ (  ?is  
reign1 some?+ worse ?an a hell1 worse   
?an an undy+ worm1  worse ?an a qu5*less

 fire8    ,x is1 ,i admit1 a fe>ful ?+  
to fall unprep>$ into ! h&s (  ! liv+   
,god2 b if ,i mu/ *oose1 give me t1 a   
?\s& times1  r ?an ! t]rific            
possibilities t ov]hang u all if we are 
to be et]nally at ! disposal ( a bl9d1  
inexorable1 s\lless1  m]ciless ,nature4 
,! ,judge ( all ! e>? w d "r2 at !  wor/
 we %all receive no m at 8 h&s ?an we   
des]ve2 b no  creat$ be+ c tell u :at we
 %all receive at ! h&s ( an             
irresponsible1 pitiless ,nature ?\gh %e 
be ! "m ( u  all4 ,!re is no?+ s d>k &  
t]rible 9 all ! woes ( !  ,bible z !    
possibilities t ,mr4 ---- (f]s u 9 8    
gospel2 &  !re is ?is diff]5ce3 ! ,bible
 op5s wide a door ( hope = all  :o c>e  
to ent] x2 ,mr4 ---- leads u out into ! 
out] d>kness  & leaves u !re4 ,is x wor?
 :ile = any man to sp5d 8 life  9       
p]suad+ u to make ?is ex*ange ( despair8
 ,& is x wor?  our :ile--y\rs or m9e--to
 make x8      ,truly y\rs1    ,c----4   
,,lett] ,,iii4      ,,my ,,de> ,a----3  
,9 ! note 9 :i* y k9dly ackn[l$ge my =m]

  communications y say t1 :atev]        
,*ri/ianity may be to me1 y  _c see x z 
,i d2 its excell5ces1 z !y appe> to my  
m9d1  d n impress y at all1 & z long z  
!y d n y _c be  expect$ to accept x4 ,i 
admit ! conclusion3 y _c receive z  good
 & true :at does n seem to be s4 ,b does
 x foll[ t a  ?+ is n good & true       
because y d n see x8 ,! "q  /ill comes1 
,is ! cause 9 ! ?+ or 9 y8    ,y rememb]
 ! ,bee?ov5 conc]t we once att5d$ toge!r
 9  ,b----8 ,to y x 0 an occasion (     
exquisite enjoym5t2 to me x  0 no?+4 ,! 
diff]5ce 0 n 9 ! music3 x 0 9 u4 ,y  h a
 musical ta/e2 ,i h n4 ,i tri$--n v     
s9c]ely1  p]haps--to p]suade y t !re 0  
no?+ beautiful 9 x2 y  smil$1 b attempt$
 no argum5t4 ,y 7 wise4 ,y knew ! music 
0 beautiful1 = y _h exp]i5c$ x2 y _h    
felt its p[]4  ,if ,i *ose to d5y x     
because ,i _h n felt x1 s x mu/ be2 y   
c\ld only pity me4    ,n[1 is x n       
possible t !re may be some?+ l ?is 9    
religion8 ,may x n be a reality--a      
supreme reality--?\gh y d  n see x or   

feel x8 ,may ,i n "k x to be real       
because ,i h  felt its p[]8 ,& if !re   
are ?\s&s & t5s ( ?\s&s z  intellig5t m5
 & wom5 z ! _w has ev] se5 :o are z     
ready  to te/ify t !y h felt ! p[] &    
exp]i5c$ ! reality  ( ! ,*ri/ian        
religion z y are to te/ify t y h felt  !
 p[] & "k ! sweetness ( music1 are y    
wise to dismiss  its claims because y h 
n felt ! =ce ( !m8 ,y mu/  see ?is4 ,i  
leave x to y\r c&or4 ,*ri/ianity may be 
true ?\gh  y h n felt its tru?4 ,a cl\d 
( witnesses /& ready to  te/ify to y its
 tru? f p]sonal exp]i5ce4 ,!y may n     
argue  ) y3 multitudes ( !m c\ld n argue
 ) y2 b1 aft]  all1 !y h a pro( ( !     
reality ( _! religion1 ( !  p[] ( ,*ri/ 
to satisfy & bless m51 :i* no argum5ts 9
 !  _w c %ake4 ,if all ?is 7 a new ?+1  
or if ! witnesses  7 only ignorant &    
sup]/iti\s m51 y might well en\gh       
hesitate to receive ! te/imony2 b :5 y  
reflect t x is  ! accumulat$ te/imony ( 
ne>ly n9ete5 c5turies1 t x comes  f all 
c\ntries & all classes1 f ! pr9ce on !  

?rone &  ! begg> at 8 gate1 f !         
philosoph] 9 8 /udy & !  sailor 9 !     
=eca/le1 f ! /atesman 9 ! cab9et & !    
pl\ghman 9 ! furr[1 ,i submit x _c )    
wisdom or reason be  set aside4 ,x is no
 answ] to say t _m great m5 & le>n$ m5  
& pl\ghm5 c be br\ght :o h _h no su*    
exp]i5ce & give  no su* te/imony4 ,?is  
is true1 b x is "o ( ! fir/ laws (      
evid5ce t no am\nt ( m]ely negative     
te/imony c ov]?r[  ! explicit evid5ce ( 
hone/1 intellig5t1 tru/wor?y witnesses4 
,fifty m5 :o did n see a murd] c\ld n   
set aside ! cle>  te/imony ( two :o did 
see x4 ,few ( ! race h ev] se5 !  moons 
( ,m>s1 or ev5 ( ,jupit]2 ?is does n    
di/urb ! witness  ( ! few :o h3 !       
satellites are !re4    ,i h j be5       
read+--n = ! fir/ "t--,pet] ,h>vey's    
acc\nt ( 8 visit1 ) ,daniel ,web/]1 to  
,john ,colby4 ,y w  f9d x 9 ,h>vey's    
,rem9isc5ces ( ,web/]2 & if y h n  read 
x1 x is wor? y\r read+4 ,colby _h m>ri$ 
,web/]'s olde/  si/] :5 ,web/] 0 a m]e  
boy4 ,x 0 9 "s respects a /range        

m>riage4 ,%e 0 a godly1 ,*ri/ian woman1 
:ile ,colby 0 a wild1  reckless1 ungodly
 man--! wick$e/ man 9 ! neighborhood1   
,web/] believ$1 z f> z swe>+ & impiety  
w5t4 ,he seems to  h be5 ! t]ror (      
,web/]'s boyhood4 ,s+ul>ly en\gh = ,new 
,engl&1 ?\gh a man ( /rong natural p[]s1
 he nev] le>n$ to  read till he 0 ov]   
eighty ye>s ( age4 ,8 wife di$ e>ly1 &  
! families drift$ ap>t4 ,web/] _h n se5 
,colby = ov] =ty  ye>s1 b he he>d t a   
great *ange _h tak5 place ) him1 &  he  
visit$ him to judge = himself4 ,i %\ld  
m> ! /ory ( !  int]view if ,i und]took  
to cond5se x4 ,let me give ! ess5tial   
p>ts ( x 9 ,mr4 ,h>vey's own words4     
,long z x is1 ,i ?9k y  w\ld be sorry to
 h x %ort]4    ,web/] & ,h>vey _h driv5 
to ,&ov]1 & 7 direct$ to ,mr4  ,colby's 
h\se4 ,! door 0 op54444 ,sitt+ 9 !      
middle ( !  room 0 a /rik+ figure :o    
prov$ to be ,john ,colby4 ,he sat fac+  
! door1 9 a v com=tably furni%$ f>mh\se 
room1 ) a  little table--or :at p]haps  
w\ld be call$ a light-/&--be=e  him4 ,^u

 x 0 a l>ge1 old-fa%ion$ ,scott's       
,family ,bible 9 v  l>ge pr9t1 &1 (     
c\rse1 a heavy volume4 ,x lay op51 & he 
_h evid5tly be5 read+ x att5tively4 ,z  
we ent]$ he took (f  8 spectacles & laid
 !m ^u ! page ( ! book1 & look$  up at u
 z we approa*$1 ,mr4 ,web/] 9 front4 ,he
 0 a man1 ,i  %\ld ?9k1 ov] six feet 9  
height1 & he reta9$ 9 a wond]ful  degree
 8 erect & manly =m1 al?\gh he 0        
eighty-five or six  ye>s old4 ,8 frame 0
 t ( a once p[]ful1 a?letic man4 ,8     
head 0 cov]$ ) v heavy1 ?ick1 bu%y hair1
 & x 0 z  :ite z wool1 :i* add$ v mu* to
 ! picturesqu5ess ( 8  appe>ance4 ,z ,i 
look$ 9 at ! door ,i ?\ght ,i nev] saw a
 m  /rik+ figure4 ,he /raight5$ himself 
up1 b said no?+ till  j z we appe>$ at !
 door1 :5 he greet$ u )--    ',walk 91  
g5tlem54'    ,mr4 ,web/]'s fir/         
salutation 0--    ',?is is ,mr4         
,colby--,mr4 ,john ,colby--is x n8'     
',t is my "n1 sir1' 0 ! reply4    ',i   
suppose y don't "k me8' said ,mr4       
,web/]4    ',no1 sir1 ,i don't "k y2 &  

,i %\ld l to "k h[ y "k  me4'    ',i h  
se5 y be=e1 ,mr4 ,colby1' repli$ ,mr4   
,web/]4    ',se5 me be=e6' said he2     
'pray1 :5 & :]e8'    ',h y no           
recollection ( me8' ask$ ,mr4 ,web/]4   
',no1 sir1 n ! slighte/2' & he look$ by 
,mr4 ,web/] t[>d  me1 z if try+ to      
rememb] if he _h se5 me4    ,mr4 ,web/] 
rem>k$1    ',i ?9k y nev] saw ?is       
g5tleman be=e1 b y h se5 me4'    ,colby 
put ! "q aga91    ',:5 & :]e8'    ',y   
m>ri$ my olde/ si/]1' repli$ ,mr4       
,web/]1 call+ h] by  "n4    ',i m>ri$   
y\r olde/ si/]6' exclaim$ ,colby4 ',:o  
are y8'    ',i am little ,dan1' 0 !     
reply4    ,x c]ta9ly w\ld be impossible 
to describe ! expression (  wond]1      
a/oni%m5t & half incr$ulity t came ov]  
,colby's face4    ',y ,daniel ,web/]6'  
said he2 & he />t$ to rise f 8  *air4 ,z
 he did s he /amm]$ out "s words (      
surprise4 ',is x  possible t ?is is !   
little black lad t us$ to ride !  horse 
to wat]8 ,well1 ,i _c realize x6'       
,mr4 ,web/] approa*$ him4 ,!y embrac$   

ea* o!r1 & bo? wept4    ',is x          
possible1' said ,mr4 ,colby1 :5 !       
emb>rassm5t ( !  fir/ %ock ( recognition
 0 pa/1 't y h come up "h  to see me8   
,is ?is ,daniel8 ,:y6 :y6' said he1 ',i 
_c believe  my s5ses4 ,n[1 sit d[n4 ,i  
am glad--oh1 ,i am s glad to see y1     
,daniel4 ,i nev] expect$ to see y aga94 
,i don't "k :at to  say4 ,i am s glad t 
my life has be5 sp>$ t ,i might see  y4 
,:y1 ,daniel1 ,i read ab\t y & he> ab\t 
y 9 all ways4  ,sometimes "s memb]s ( ! 
family come & tell u ab\t y1 &  !       
newspap]s tell u a great deal ab\t y1   
too4 ,y\r "n seems  to be con/antly 9 ! 
newspap]s4 ,!y say t y are a great      
man--t y are a fam\s man--& y c't tell  
h[ delight$ ,i  am :5 ,i he> su* ?+s4   
,b1 ,daniel1 ! "t is %ort2 y w  n /ay "h
 long3 ,i want to ask y "o important "q4
 ,y  may be a great man3 are y a good   
man8 ,are y a ,*ri/ian man8  ,d y love !
 ,"l ,jesus ,*ri/8 ,t is ! only "q t is 
wor? ask+ or answ]+8 ,are y a ,*ri/ian8 
,y "k1 ,daniel1  :at ,i h be53 ,i h be5 

"o ( ! wick$e/ ( m54 ,y\r poor  si/]1 :o
 is n[ 9 heav51 kn[s t4 ,b ! ,_s ( ,*ri/
  & ( almighty ,god has come d[n &      
pluck$ me z a br& f !  ev]la/+ burn+4 ,i
 am "h n[1 a monum5t to 8 grace4 ,oh1   
,daniel1 ,i w\ld n give :at is conta9$  
)9 ! cov]s (  ?is book = all ! honors t 
h be5 conf]r$ ^u m5 f  ! creation ( ! _w
 until n[4 ,= :at good w\ld x d8 ,x  is 
all no?+1 & less ?an no?+1 if y are n a 
,*ri/ian1  if y are n rep5tant4 ,if y d 
n love ! ,"l ,jesus ,*ri/  9 s9c]ity &  
tru?1 all y\r worldly honors w s9k to   
utt]  no?+ness4 ,are y a ,*ri/ian8 ,d y 
love ,*ri/8 ,y h n  answ]$ me4'    ,all 
?is 0 said 9 ! mo/ e>ne/ & ev5 vehem5t  
mann]4    ',john ,colby1' repli$ ,mr4   
,web/]1 'y h ask$ me a v  important "q1 
& "o :i* %\ld n be answ]$ lightly4 ,i   
int5d to give y an answ]1 & "o t is     
tru?ful1 or ,i w  n give y any4 ,i hope 
t ,i am a ,*ri/ian4 ,i pr(ess to be a   
,*ri/ian4 ,b1 :ile ,i say t1 ,i wi% to  
add--& ,i say x )  %ame & confusion (   
face--t ,i am n su* a ,*ri/ian z ,i wi% 

,i 74 ,i h liv$ 9 ! _w1 surr\nd$ by its 
honors & its  temptations1 & ,i am      
afraid1 ,john ,colby1 t ,i am n s good a
  ,*ri/ian z ,i ought to be4 ,i am      
afraid ,i h n y\r fai? &  y\r hopes2 b  
/ill ,i hope & tru/ t ,i am a ,*ri/ian1 
&  t ! same grace :i* has conv]t$ y &   
made y an heir (  salvation w d ! same =
 me4 ,i tru/ x1 & ,i also tru/1 ,john   
,colby--& x w n be long be=e our summons
 w come--t we  %all meet 9 a bett] _w1 &
 meet ^? :o h gone be=e u  :om we knew1 
& :o tru/$ 9 t same div9e free grace4 ,x
 w  n be long4 ,y _c tell1 ,john ,colby1
 h[ mu* delight x gave me  to he> ( y\r 
conv]sion4 ,! he>+ ( t is :at has l$ me 
"h to-day4 ,i came "h to see ) my own   
eyes & he> ) my own  e>s ! /ory f a man 
t ,i "k & rememb] s well4 ,:at a  wick$ 
man y us$ to be6'    ',oh1 ,daniel1'    
exclaim$ ,john ,colby1 'y don't rememb] 
h[ wick$ ,i  01 h[ ungrateful ,i 01 h[  
un?ankful ,i 04 ,i nev] ?\ght (  ,god2  
,i nev] c>$ = ,god2 ,i 0 worse ?an a    
hea!n4 ,liv+ 9 a  ,*ri/ian l& ) ! light 

%9+ all ar\nd me & ! bless+s  ( ,sabba? 
tea*+s ev]y:]e ab\t me1 ,i 0 worse ?an a
 hea!n  until ,i 0 arre/$ by ! grace (  
,*ri/ & made to see my  s9fulness & to  
he> ! voice ( my ,savi\r4 ,n[ ,i am only
 wait+  to g home to him1 & to meet y\r 
sa9t$ si/]1 my poor wife4 ,&  ,i wi%1   
,daniel1 t y might be a pray]ful        
,*ri/ian2 & ,i tru/  y are4 ,daniel1' he
 add$1 ) deep e>ne/ness ( voice1 ',w y  
pray ) me8'    ,we knelt d[n1 & ,mr4    
,web/] (f]$ a mo/ t\*+ pray]4 ,z  soon z
 he _h pron\nc$ ! ',am51' ,mr4 ,colby   
foll[$ 9 a mo/  pa!tic1 /irr+ appeal to 
,god4 ,he pray$ = ! family1 = me  & =   
ev]ybody4 ,!n we rose1 & he seem$ to    
feel a s]5e  happ9ess 9 hav+ ?us jo9$ 8 
_s ) t ( ,mr4 ,web/]  9 pray]4444    ,! 
bro!rs-9-law took an affectionate leave 
( ea* o!r1 &  we left4 ,mr4 ,web/] c\ld 
h>dly re/ra9 8 te>s4 ,:5 we got  into ! 
wagon1 he began to moralize3    ',i %\ld
 l1' said he1 'to "k :at ! enemies (    
religion  w\ld say to ,john ,colby's    
conv]sion4 ,!re 0 a man z unlikely1     

humanly speak+1 to become a ,*ri/ian z  
any man ,i ev] saw4 ,he 0  reckless1    
he$less1 impi\s--nev] att5d$ *ur*1 nev] 
exp]i5c$  ! good influ5ce ( associat+ ) 
religi\s p--& "h he  has be5 liv+ on 9 t
 reckless way until he has got to be an 
old  man1 until a p]iod ( life :5 y     
naturally w\ld n expect 8  habits to    
*ange1 & yet he has be5 br\ght into !   
condition 9  :i* we h se5 him to-day1 a 
p5it5t1 tru/+1 humble believ]4  ,:atev] 
p may say1' add$ ,mr4 ,web/]1 'no?+ c   
conv9ce  me t any?+ %ort ( ! grace (    
almighty ,god c\ld make su*  a *ange z  
,i ) my own eyes h witness$ 9 ! life (  
,john  ,colby4'    ,mr4 ,colby 0        
eighty-f\r ye>s old at ! "t ( 8         
conv]sion4  ,at t age he le>n$ to read =
 ! s+le purpose ( read+ !  ,bible1 & x 0
 ! only book he ev] did read4 ,he liv$ =
 ?ree  ye>s aft] ?is1 & to ! end gave ! 
cle>e/ evid5ces ( a  *ange t to ,mr4    
,web/]'s judicial m9d c\ld be expla9$   
only by  ! supposition ( a div9e        
int]position2 x 0 a div9e reality4  ,!  

la/ intelligible words ( ! once t]rible 
blasphem] 71  ,jesus6 glory6    ,*ang+ !
 details1 ! exp]i5ce ( ,john ,colby has 
be5 !  exp]i5ce ( ?\s&s ^u ?\s&s4 ,&--,i
 put x to y 9 all  c&or--is x all a lie8
 ,0 ,web/]--"o ( ! gr&e/ intellects  (  
?is or ( any age--0 he a fanatic or a   
fool to believe 9 !  reality ( !        
religion t ,john ,colby _h exp]i5c$8 ,0 
he a  weakl+ to put 8 fai? :]e ,john    
,colby _h put 81 & to tru/  t :5 !      
summons ( bo? %\ld come--z x soon did   
come--!y  might meet ea* o!r & ^? :o _h 
gone be=e !m tru/+ 9  ! same div9e1 free
 grace8    ,y may criticise ! ,bible1 y 
may criticise ,*ri/ians1 b1 aft]  all1  
!re is some?+ 9 ,*ri/ianity t _c be     
expla9$  away z a sup]/ition or a       
delusion2 !re is some?+ t _c  be        
dismiss$ by a sc(f or ) indiff]5ce4     
,some:]e & at "s  "t x w h ! f9al ^w1 & 
x w be he>d4 ,i comm5d  x to y\r hone/ &
 e>ne/ judgm5t n[4 ,try x2 ,i ask no m4 
,settle ! great que/ions t press on e   
he>t z ! ,bible  op5s ! way ( settlem5t 

to y1 & wait ! issue4 ,y c lose  no?+2 y
 may ga9 ev]y?+4 ,! fact is z rem>kable 
z x  is famili> t no man 9 ! la/ h\r    
"h--! h\r1 (t51 (  sup]nal light--ev]   
want$ to take back or to *ange 8 fai? 9 
! ,man ( ,naz>e? z ! ,son ( ,god & !    
,savi\r ( m54 ,:5  ! %ad[s are melt+ 9 !
 great realities1 & ! my/]ies (  life   
are ab\t to be f9i%$ & ! v]ities ( !    
future are to  be prov$1 no man has yet 
be5 f\nd to m\rn t 9 ! face ( all       
difficulty & d\bt & d5ial "h he 0 a     
,*ri/ian4 ,c t1 or  any?+ approa*+ x1 be
 said ( any =m ( a!ism or infidelity  or
 unbelief8      ,z ev]1 y\rs1    ,c----4
          ,,lett] ,,iv4      ,,my ,,de> 
,a----3 ,i _h suppos$ my la/ lett] w\ld 
end our  correspond5ce4 ,y\r k9d reply  
has gratifi$ me m ?an ,i c  express4    
,)\t fur!r words1 let me take up at once
 ! "q  t y put1 ,i am sure1 s9c]ely4 ,y 
ask1 ,:at is '! way (  settlem5t t !    
,bible op5s to ! great que/ions t press 
u8'    ,! que/ions ( supreme int]e/ are 
few & simple4 ,is !re a  ,god8 ,is !re a

 future exi/5ce = u8 ,h[ c t exi/5ce be 
made a safe & satisfy+ "o8 ,if y are    
will+ to all[ any  au?ority to ! ,bible 
at all1 !re c be no d\bt z to ! fir/    
two que/ions4 ,!re is a ,god by :om we 7
 creat$ & to :om we  are responsible2   
!re is a future exi/5ce4 ,^? two        
que/ions are  settl$1 if ! ,bible c     
settle any?+4 ,& !y are settl$1  let me 
add1 9 h>mony ) ! pr(\nde/ in/9cts & !  
mo/  imp]ative dem&s ( our nature4      
,:atev] a few s\ls 9 _!  /ruggl+        
dissatisfaction & sad unre/ may p]suade 
!mselves1  ! great ye>n+ he>t ( humanity
 w quiet itself on no?+  less ?an ,god &
 immortality4 ,ev5 y\r =m] guide1 ,mr4  
---- 7let  me hope ,i may speak ( him n[
 z only y\r =m] guide71 cries  out 9 !  
pres5ce ( ! dead & be=e ! awful sil5ce (
 !  grave1 ,immortality is a ^w t hope  
?r\gh all ! ages has  be5 :isp]+ to     
love4 ,all wi% = happ9ess beyond ?is    
life2 all  hope to meet aga9 ! lov$ &   
lo/4 ,yes1 !re are h\rs :5  ! mo/       
hopeless are glad to turn to ! hope t ! 

,bible alone  gives1 :5 ! bitt]e/       
reject]s ( ,god & 8 ^w long = !         
consolation t only ! reject$ ^w af=ds4  
,let u turn to ! o!r "q4 ,if1 :5 we are 
?r\gh ) ?is  life--z we soon %all be    
?r\gh ) x--we are n ?r\gh )  exi/5ce--if
 !re is a life beyond ! pres5t n measur$
 by  ye>s or ages1--h[ c x be made wor? 
hav+8 ,is !re any way  9 :i* our        
immortality c be assur$ to u z an       
immortal good8  ,aft] all ! d\bts &     
d>kness1 ! my/]y & suff]+1 !  bitt]ness 
& disappo9tm5t1 ( ?is life1 may x 9 any 
way be  f\nd a great & a good ?+1 aft]  
all1 t we h liv$8 ,to  answ] ^! que/ions
 we mu/ come back to ! old tru?--! tru? 
( y\r *ildhood4 ,! advanc$ ?\ght ( our  
day has discov]$  no?+ to *ange ! fact t
 m5 are out ( ! way1 !y are n  :at !y   
%\ld be4 ,e man kn[s ?is4 ,! ,bible     
expresses x  9 a v pla9 way by say+ !y  
are s9n]s4 ,z su* x deals  ) !m2 to su* 
alone x op5s its door ( hope4 ,! ,bible 
is (  no use to y unless y are a s9n]4  
,if y call ?is cant1 ,i am  sorry = x1 b

 ,i _c help x2 ,i _c *ange x4 ,! only m5
  = :om ,god is deal+ "h = good1 = :om  
he is mak+ possible  an immortality (   
honor & happ9ess1 are ! s9ful4 ,& is n  
?is well = u8 ,does x n at once br+ hope
 to y--a hope z  great z x is my/]i\s8  
,y "k t life has n be5 to y  an un/a9$  
?+ any m ?an x has be5 to any ( u4 ,to  
"k  ?is is to "k s91 ! "o appall+ fact (
 ! univ]se1 ! "o  unspeakable woe ( our 
be+4    ,9 ! simple/ way1 !n1 my de>    
,a----1 let me say t ! fir/  /ep 9 y\r  
com+ "r ) ,god1 & s "r ) ! future1 is   
to "k & to feel t y are wrong4 ,! ,bible
 closes ! door (  hope = ev] on ! man :o
 comes claim+ ! brightness & !  good ( a
 life beyond ! grave because he is wor?y
 ( x4 ,^!  words 7 once famili> to y3   
,by ! de$s ( ! law !re %all  no fle% be 
ju/ifi$4 ,rom4 iii4 #bj4    ,c he :o is 
wrong make himself "r8 ,c he be all he  
ought to be8  ,c he d all he ought to d8
 ,c y set "r all ! wrong & all  !       
failure ( ! pa/8 ,c y make ! future )\t 
error8 ,to  ask ^! que/ions is to answ] 

!m to e hone/ consci5ce4    ,= "o :o is 
wrong !re mu/ be ! consequ5ces ( wrong1 
& ^! mu/ be z fe>ful & z f>-rea*+ z s9  
itself4  ,:atsoev] a man s[e?1 t %all he
 also reap1 & ev]more  & ev]y:]e ! h>ve/
 is great] ?an ! se$4 ,! com+           
tribulation & angui% ( ! unsav$ s\ls t d
 evil is a law  ( nature z well z (     
revelation4 ,! wages ( s9 is dea?4 ,y   
"k ?is4 ,y h felt x 9 its measure4 ,y h 
se5 x 9 !  unhapp9ess1 ! mis]y1 ! woe1 !
 despair & dea? ) :i*  s9 reigns ev]y:]e
 ar\nd u4 ,take ! brighte/ view ( life  
t y c1 & ! d>kness 9 :i* x ends is      
t]rible4 ,to  g out ( x )\t ,god is to g
 out )\t hope4 ,am ,i wrong 9  believ+ t
 y ne$ no argum5t "h1 t no conviction is
 m  sorr[fully int5se ) y ?an ?is8    ,w
 y g n[ a /ep f>!r8 ,/&+ 9 y\r wrong &  
y\r  weakness & y\r unre/1 ) ! heavy    
%ad[s ( ! future  fall+ ^u y1 are y     
will+ to draw ne> to ! op5 portal (  a  
bett] life8 ,are y will+ to look up &   
read ov] x--,god s  lov$ ! _w t he gave 
8 only-begott5 ,son1 t :osoev]  believe?

 9 him %\ld n p]i%1 b h ev]la/+ life8   
,john  iii4 #af4 ,are y will+ to submit 
y\r fai? to ! my/]y--beyond  all dep?   
except ! love ( ,god--t ! ,son ( ,god 9 
our nature  has borne our s9s 9 8 own   
body on ! tree--t he has di$  = u1 ! ,j 
= ! unju/8 ,9 o!r words1 are y will+ to 
receive ! k+dom ( heav5 z a little      
*ild--to be sav$1 if  sav$ y may be1 9  
,god's own way8    ,9 a =m] lett] ,i    
spoke ( ! te/imony ( ,web/] to ! reality
  ( ! ,*ri/ian religion2 &1 ?\gh x is   
true t ,*ri/ianity  does n dep5d ^u !   
patronage ( any man1 x is well to "k  t 
great] intellects ?an ^? t w\ld p]suade 
y to reject  x h b[$ be=e x & f\nd _!   
supreme hope 9 x4 ,let me  give y1 !n1  
ano!r te/imony f ?is greate/ ( ,am]ican 
/atesm5 & juri/s4 ,x 0 8 la/ night on   
e>?2 t life (  extraord9>y influ5ce &   
honor 0 clos+4 ,z 8 family &  fri5ds    
/ood ar\nd 8 b$ 8 physician repeat$ !   
immortal hymn  ( ,c[p]3        ,!re is a
 f\nta9 fill$ ) blood        ,drawn f   
,immanuel's ve9s1      ,& s9n]s1 plung$ 

b5ea? t flood1        ,lose all _!      
guilty /a9s4    ,z ^u ! night-air di$   
away ! f9al /anza--        ,!n 9 a      
nobl]1 sweet] song        ,i'll s+ ?y   
p[] to save      ,:5 ?is poor1 lisp+1   
/amm]+ tongue        ,lies sil5t 9 !    
grave1    ! maje/ic voice t _h ?rill$   
c\rts & s5ates1 0 he>d  9 a cle>        
?rice-repeat$ ,am56 ,am56 ,am56 ,& s he 
pass$1 let  u hope1 to h "p 9 t f9al    
song4 ,pity1 inf9ite pity1 t  he _h n   
made m ( t magnific5t intellect = !     
,giv] (  x6 ,b at lea/ he 0 too great a 
man to d5y ! ,love & !  ,sacrifice by   
:i* alone ! life ( ! greate/ z well z ! 
feeble/ c be sav$ f be+ an et]nal       
trag$y4    ,i "k1 my de> ,a----1 !      
d]ision ) :i* all ?is may be  receiv$1 b
 my hope is t y h pass$ beyond t po9t ( 
intellectual self-conceit & moral       
self-murd]4 ,at all ev5ts1 ?is  is !    
only gr\nd ( a safe immortality t !     
,bible holds out1  & beyond ! ,bible !re
 is no gr\nd4 ,if y ev] settle safely  !
 solemn que/ions ( ! future1 y w settle 

!m "h4 ,if y  ev] f9d ! re/ = :i* ,i "k 
y are we>y1 y w f9d x  at ! cross & 9 ! 
pres5ce ( ,him :o hung ^u x1 & ^:  words
 are to-day1 z ( old1 ,come unto me1 &  
,i w give y re/4    ,9 all ?is ,i "k !re
 is no?+ new to y4 ,i _h no?+ new to    
say2 ,i wi%$ simply to make a plea = !  
fai? ( y\r e>li]  ye>s4 ,x is easy to   
put x aside1 b1 aft] all1 x is a fai?  t
 w /&4 ,! evid5ce ( n9ete5 c5turies f   
millions  ( hone/ & intellig5t          
witnesses1 ( all ranks & conditions1    
liv+ & dy+1 to ! p[] ( ?is fai? to su/a9
 9 ! mo/  solemn crises ( life1 :5 fle% 
& he>t are fail+1 & :5  ! d>kness &     
angui% & my/]y ( dea? are rock+ ! s\l   
to its f\ndations1 _c wisely be dismiss$
 z a delusion3 !re  mu/ be a reality    
beh9d x4 ,! lights t h gone out f y\r   
own home & he>t y 7 "r 9 believ+ h n    
gone out 9  d>kness1 b y w n =get t z !y
 w5t into pur] light  !y w5t ) ,him :o  
has br\ght life & immortality to light1 
:o  is ! ,resurrection & ! ,life1 9 :om 
believ+1 ?\gh we 7  dead1 yet %all we   

live4    ,"h ,i mu/ re/4 ,i c only      
comm5d y to ,god & to ! ^w (  8         
grace--to ! writt5 ^w & to ! inc>nate   
,^w1 to !  ,bible & to ,*ri/4 ,i am z   
c]ta9 z ,i am ( my own exi/5ce  t if y w
 give y\rself up to ! guidance ( ^! y  w
 be satisfi$ & y w be sav$4 ,if y w only
 take !  ,bible & foll[ x1 y w f9d an   
assurance ( its tru? t  _c be %ak52 y w 
f9d re/1 = y w f9d ,*ri/4 ,&  surely x  
is n too mu* to ask t 9 a matt] ( su*   
inf9ite  importance y make a fair1 hone/
 & ?or\gh trial ( t :i*  no man ev] yet 
made trial ( to be disappo9t$4    ,yet  
let me n fail to impress z a f9al ?\ght 
t ?is result (  good & ( peace w come   
only by ! p[] ( ! ,holy ,_s4  ,x is 8 to
 take ( ! ?+s ( ,*ri/ & %[ !m to u2     
unless  he does ?is1 we _c see !m4 ,my  
la/ ^w ( entreaty1 !n1  is--& ,i w\ld   
make x z e>ne/ly z conviction & feel+ & 
language c make x--yield to ! ,_s (     
,god4 ,! end y want  is too great = y\r 
own /r5g?4 ,y h prov$ ?is4 ,y h  /ruggl$
 on long en\gh 9 y\r own plans & y\r own

 way1 seek+  re/1 & y are z f> f re/ z  
ev]4 ,try n[ ano!r way4 ,take  hold ( a 
high] /r5g?4 ,ask1 & ye %all receive2   
seek1 & ye  %all f9d4 ,i plead ) y by   
all ! memories ( ! pa/ & by  all ! hopes
 ( ! future4 ,y h s9n$1 & ,i w\ld n heal
  ! hurt slightly4 ,no "o kn[s bett] ?an
 y t if ! ,bible is  true y h a long &  
d>k acc\nt aga9/ y--if n ( op5 &        
flagrant s91 yet to ! ,m9d t makes no   
mi/akes ( t :i*  is p]haps f> worse1 (  
calm1 delib]ate1 p]si/5t rejection (    
,*ri/ & ( 8 ,_s4 ,x w\ld be fai?lessness
 & cruelty to  hide ! fact t by all !   
v]ities ( ,god y are 9 p]il--9  fe>ful  
p]il4 ,to /& 9 d>kness :]e no light is  
is sad en\gh2  b :5 ,light is come into 
! _w & m5 /& 9 d>kness1  !re is s9 t    
seals its own doom4 ,z ! case is n[1 ! v
  unre/ ( y\r s\l--its d>k grop+s1 its  
unsatisfi$ ye>n+s1  its sighs (         
despair--all ?is is ! liv+ witness ( y\r
 dang]1  ! prophecy ( a deep] gloom &   
woe to come4    ,b z yet x is also !    
voice ( ,god's m]cy2 x is ! plea (  8   

,_s call+ y to ! only re/ t ! univ]se   
has =  ! err+ & ! s9ful4 ,! ,_s ( ,god  
is v pitiful4 ,e  ?\ght ( good is f him2
 e desire = a bett] life is 8           
inspiration2 e p5it5t sigh is 8 brea?4  
,i believe he is n  f> f y2 ,i believe1 
!re=e1 y are n f> f ! k+dom  ( heav54   
,qu5* n ! ,_s4 ,d n g d[n 9 d>kness 9   
sight  ( ! ,city ( ,light4    ,y rememb]
 ! circum/ances ( our return f ,europe 9
 ! fall  ( #ah--4 ,we 7 "y !n1 b ! ev5ts
 are /ill vivid 9 my  memory1 z !y are  
no d\bt 9 y\rs4 ,= two days we 7 delay$ 
9 ,liv]pool by a fe>ful /orm4 ,9 t /orm 
! ,royal ,*>t] 0  com+ 91 hav+ made     
successfully ! voyage ( ! _w4 ,%e  _h   
be5 signal$1 & 0 already 9 ! ,*annel2 h]
 arrival 0  look$ = e h\r4 ,de> fri5ds (
 ^? we 7 leav+ 7 on  bo>d4 ,! fires 7   
light$ on ! he>?1 & ! table 0 spread  = 
! long-abs5t ones1 & glad he>ts 7 wait+ 
impati5tly to  give !m joyful welcome4  
,b !y nev] came2 9 sight ( ! h>bor  & ( 
! lights ( home !y w5t d[n--! f\r hundr$
 ( t  doom$ %ip4 ,! next day we pass$ ! 

sil5t wreck z we came out1  & ,i am sure
 y ?\ght1 z ,i did1 h[ unutt]ably sad & 
pa!tic  is su* an end1 to p]i% 9 sight (
 home4    ,our voyage1 de> ,a----1 is   
almo/ ov]4 ,! h>bor is ne>2 !  lights ( 
! et]nal home are 9 sight2 ! table is   
spread1  & de> ones--y\rs & m9e--are    
wait+ !re to give u glad  & ev]la/+     
welcome4 ,d n make wreck ( life & hope &
  immortality 9 ! v sight ( home4       
,y\rs1 9 ! bonds ( e>ly ye>s1    ,c----4
    ,s9ce ^! lett]s 7 writt51 he to :om 
!y 7 address$  has gone :]e human       
argum5ts & plead+s _c rea* him4 ,9 a    
mom5t1 9 ! tw9kl+ ( an eye1 he pass$ f !
 sc5es ( a  busy1 honor$ & prosp]\s life
 into ! solemn my/]ies t lie  beyond our
 horizon4 ,on 8 desk 0 f\nd ! foll[+    
unf9i%$  lett]1 writt5 ! night be=e 8   
dea?3      ,,my ,,de> ,c----3    ,i h n 
misappreh5d$ ! _s & motive ( y\r lett]s4
  ,i h read !m--m ?an once--) c>e &1 ,i 
believe1  ) c&or4 ,:5 a man /&s 9 ! %ad[
 ( a great &  awful *ange--& my         
physician w>ns me t my lifework may end 

sudd5ly--he is a fool :o deals any o!r  
way ?an s]i\sly &  hone/ly ) ! que/ions 
y discuss4 ,if ,i _c say t y\r  reason+ 
removes all my d\bts1 ,i c mo/ s9c]ely  
say ?is1 ev5  ?\gh x may be1 9 y\r      
judgm5t1 at ! co/ ( my consi/5cy3 ,i    
w\ld give ! _w to h y\r fai? & hope4    
,:ile ,i h  be5 glad to h ! argum5ts (  
,mr4 ---- to support my own fai?  or    
want ( fai?1 ,i w be c&id & say t ,i h n
 be5 at  re/4 ,life has be5 t]ribly     
empty & hopeless s9ce ,i felt1 )        
,pr(essor ,clif=d1 t ! ,great ,companion
 is dead4 ,i h _h  success1 z ! _w goes1
 b :at ( x8 ,:at does x am\nt to8  ,:at 
is to be ! end ( x all8 ,no ,god6 ,no   
immortality6 ,no?+  beyond ?is little   
circle ^: utmo/ limit ,i seem to be ev5 
n[  t\*+6 ,is x s8    ,i am writ+ at    
midnight--an h\r :5 ^! que/ions (t5 come
  to me ) ! pressure ( despair4 ,oh to  
be a *ild aga9 ) a  *ild's fai?1 a      
*ild's peace6 ,my "m--           99     
99       99       99       99    ,"h !  
lett] end$4 ,did ! ?\ght ( 8 "m op5 !   

door  ( 8 a*+ he>t to 8 "m's ,god & 8   
"m's ,*ri/8 ,s  let u hope4 ,!re is a   
m]cy t is f ev]la/+ to ev]la/+  ^u !m t 
fe> ,god1 & a righte\sness t is unto    
*ildr5's  *ildr5 to su* z keep 8        
cov5ant4    ,ly+ ^u ! lett] 0 ! foll[+  
slip1 cut f a newspap]4  ,x 0 /a9$      
app>5tly ) te>s1 & 0 probably ! la/ ?+  
t my fri5d read4 ,x c\ld h>dly be !     
expression ( any he>t  to :om ! h& (    
m]cy 0 n already op5+ ! wicket-gate3    
',mid ! fa/-fall+ %ad[s1        ,we>y & 
worn & late1      ,a timid1 d\bt+       
pilgrim1        ,i rea* ! wicket-gate4  
,:]e cr[ds h /ood be=e me        ,i /&  
alone to-night1      ,& 9 ! deep5+      
d>kness        ,pray = "o gleam ( light4
        ,f ! f\l sl\ghs & m>%es         
,i've ga!r$ _m a /a92      ,i've he>d   
old voices call+        ,f f> across !  
pla94      ,n[1 9 my wret*$ weakness1   
,fe>ful & sad ,i wait1      ,& e refuge 
fails me1        ,"h at ! wicket-gate4  
,& w ! portals op5        ,to me :o     
roam$ s long      ,fil?y & vile & burd5$

        ,) ?is great weight ( wrong8    
,h>k6 a glad voice ( welcome            
,bids my wild fe>s abate4      ,look6 = 
a h& ( m]cy        ,op5s ! wicket-gate4 
,on1 to ! palace ,beautiful        ,& ! 
bright room call$ ,peace6      ,d[n1 to 
! sil5t riv]1        ,:]e ?\ %alt f9d   
release6      ,up1 to ! radiant city1   
,:]e %9+ ones await6      ,on6 = ! way (
 glory        ,lies ?r\gh ! wicket-gate4
          ,,difficulties ,,( ,,!        
,,bible4          ,,difficulties ,,( ,,!
 ,,bible ,,z ,,te/$ ,,by ,,! ,,laws ,,( 
,,evid5ce4#a    #a ,! sub/ance ( ?is    
essay 0 giv5 z an address be=e !  ,bible
 ,conf]5ce 9 ,philadelphia 9 ,novemb]1  
#ahhg4 ,x has1 h[ev]1  be5 revis$ &     
consid]ably *ang$ ) ref]5ce to its      
pres5t  use4--,t4 ,s4 ,c4      ,"o has  
to brea! b little ( ! atmosph]e ( popul>
 ?\ght  to-day to f9d h[ full x is (    
religi\s d\bt4 ,p>5tal fai?s  c\nt =    
little4 ,! beliefs ( *ildhood1 ! tea*+s 
( !  sa9t$ dead1 ! hopes t once bright5$
 ! d>kness &  my/]ies & griefs ( life ) 

! light ( a cl\dless future1  are to    
multitudes no m4 ,! eclipse ( fai? has  
come1 & s\ls  are drift+ out ^u !       
/>less1 %oreless sea ( unbelief4 ,!y    
see ! spr+ sun %9+ out ( an empty heav5 
to light up a  s\lless e>?4 ,!y take up 
! wail ( despair3 ,we are all to  be    
swept away 9 ! f9al ru9 ( ! e>?4 ,?is is
 ! deep1  pa!tic und]tone ( ! sigh+ ( a 
?\s& he>ts to-day4    ,has life any?+   
real8 ,is x wor? liv+8 ,:5 ! little play
 is  ov]1 & ! h\r's music is end$1 & !  
lights are out1 &  we g =? into !       
d>kness ( ! f9al night--:at !n8 ,is x   
d>kness = ev]8 or is !re ! light ( an   
et]nal day8 ,:o  kn[s8 ,is any?+ c]ta98 
,mu/ nations & m5 & ! ev5+-mo?  alike g 
d[n & p]i% = ev] "u ! cru% ( an         
inexorable  fate8 ,is !re no rift 9 ?is 
cl\d8 ,h we no an*or t w  hold z ! /orm 
drives u on ?r\gh ! bl9d+ mi/s & gloom  
to ! et]nal %ore8 ,h we no sure ^w (    
promise to :i* we c  cl+ :5 ev]y?+ else 
ar\nd u & "u our feet is giv+  way8     
,is ! ,bible true8 ,t is ! simple b     

mom5t\s "q2 x  settles all o!r que/ions 
( mo/ conc]n to m54 ,to x1 !re=e1  we   
f9d ! mo/ int5se ?\ght ( ?\ghtful m5    
conv]g+4 ,t  f ?is !re %\ld em]ge       
que/ions n easily solv$ is n to  be     
wond]$ at3 !y em]ge 9 e inquiry ( human 
?\ght4 ,!  only ?+ to be ask$ is t ^!   
que/ions be dealt ) c&idly  & fairly4   
,to _m m9ds ! ,bible is /ill on trial2 x
 is only j t 9  its trial ^? rules &    
pr9ciples %all be obs]v$ :i* m5  ev]y:]e
 expect & dem& %all be obs]v$ = !mselves
 :5  !y or _! int]e/s are to be tri$4   
,?is is ! po9t ( ?is essay4 ,x is n1    
inde$1 a discussion f  ! highe/ gr\nd ( 
inspiration2 x does n claim to be4 ,x   
simply  deals ) a c]ta9 class--a v l>ge 
class1 h[ev]--( alleg$  difficulties ( !
 ,bible1 & x appeals to ! c&id read] to 
deal ) !m z fairly & by ! same rules z  
he w\ld h 8  fell[-m5 deal ) him 9 a    
matt] ( life or dea?1 or ( any  worldly 
int]e/4    ,= ?is object only a few ( ! 
common rules ( evid5ce h  be5 tak54 ,x  
is believ$1 h[ev]1 t _! application w   

cov] a v l>ge portion ( ! popul>        
objections to ! alleg$  inconsi/5cies & 
contradictions ( ! ,bible4              
,und\bt$ly1 !re are difficulties 9 !    
,bible2 ! "q is  :e!r ^! prove t x is n 
! "w & ^w ( ,god4 ,on !  o!r h&1 x may  
be sugge/$ :e!r !y d n confirm x z !  "w
 ( ,god1 = !y at once put x 9 h>mony )  
all 8 o!r  works4 ,if ! ,bible 7 )\t    
difficulties1 x w\ld1 = u1  be out ( !  
l9e ) ev]y?+ else t ,god has made or    
done4  ,nature & ,provid5ce are full (  
difficulties4 ,!re is no?+ 9  ! ,bible  
h>d] ( explanation & reconciliation ?an 
are ! facts  t meet u ev]y:]e 9 ,god's  
creative & provid5tial realms4 ,if  ^!  
difficulties d n prove t ,nature &      
,provid5ce are n1  f beg9n+ to end1 !   
works ( ,god1 !y d n on ! face (  !m    
prove t ! ,bible is n su*4    ,9 deal+ )
 ! difficulties ( ! ,scriptures1 !re=e1 
we  h n ! lea/ idea t !y w all be       
remov$3 difficulties  w rema94 ,! ,"l ( 
ho/s himself is a /one ( /umbl+ & a     
rock ( (f5ce ^u :i* _m /umble & fall &  

are brok54 ,isa4  viii4 #ad1 #ae4 ,if a 
man is det]m9$ to commit suicide1 he c d
  x by ! v means t ,god has creat$ to   
pres]ve life--by fire  or by wat]4      
,spiritual self-de/ruction is q possible
 ?r\gh  ! ^w ( life itself4 ,at ! same  
"t1 no man has a "r to put  ne$less     
difficulties 9 ! ,bible or to make      
difficulties :]e  none exi/4 ,m ?an ?is1
 e man is b\nd to deal z fairly at  lea/
 ) ! ,bible z he deals ) 8 fell[-m5 9 ! 
ord9>y  relations ( life4 ,t :i* w\ld   
give him no tr\ble z a judge  ^u ! b5*  
or a juror 9 ! box ought n to be urg$ z 
a fatal  objection to ! ,scriptures4    
,9 te/+ at ?is "t "s ( ! difficulties ( 
! ,bible by !  accept$ rules ( evid5ce1 
h>dly m c be done ?an to pres5t a  few (
 ^! rules z applicable to ^!            
difficulties4 ,b ! rules  are ( ! wide/ 
application2 ! solution ( "o difficulty 
by !m  is ! solution ( a hundr$4        
,look+ ^u ! ,bible z a :ole1 we may ref]
 = a mom5t to !  famili> precept t e man
 is to be presum$ innoc5t until he  is  

prov$ guilty4 ,?is is emphatically true 
( a man ( good g5]al  reputation4 ,!    
rule w\ld seem z applicable to a book z 
to a  man4 ,n[1 ! ,bible is n a new     
book2 x has be5 be=e ! _w  = ages4 ,x   
has a "*4 ,t x is on ! :ole a good book 
! bitt]e/ oppos]s ( its pl5>y           
inspiration n only admit1  b ass]t4 ,x  
is conc$$ t x is entitl$ to its "n--!   
,bible1 ! ,book4 ,x claims to be a      
tru?ful book2 by e fair  pr9ciple ?is   
claim mu/ be all[$ until x is %[n to be 
false4  ,bancr(t's ,hi/ory ( ! ,unit$   
,/ates claims to be a reliable  "w2 !   
claim is g5]ally admitt$4 ,if a man n[  
comes =w>d  & ass]ts t x is false 9 :ole
 or 9 details1 by univ]sal  judgm5t he  
mu/ prove 8 ass]tion1 & obvi\sly 8 pro(s
 mu/  be /rong] ?an ! evid5ces ( ! tru? 
( ! hi/ory4 ,if ?is  is s 9 ref]5ce to a
 book t has n /ood ! te/ ( half a       
c5tury1 emphatically is x true ( a book 
^: "* has be5  e/abli%$ ?r\gh ! se>*+   
scrut9y ( fri5ds & foes =  fifte5       
c5turies--ay1 = twice fifte5 c5turies4  

,if a man n[  affirms ! ,bible to be    
false1 :olly or 9 "p1 x re/s ^u  him 9  
all fairness to prove 8 position1 & 8   
evid5ce mu/  be /rong] ?an t :i*        
supports ! book4 ,= ?ree ?\s&  ye>s a   
gr[+ mass ( te/imony to ! tru? ( !      
,bible has be5  roll+ up 9 ! face ( e   
objection t +5uity1 le>n+  & ! bitt]e/  
ho/ility c\ld pres5t4 ,acc\nt = x z we  
may1  t is ! fact4 ,!re is1 !re=e1 a    
reasonable presumption 9  its favor1 & 9
 favor ( any specific /atem5t t x makes4
  ,if1 !n1 we f9d 9 x a positive /atem5t
 9 reg>d to any fact1  & t /atem5t is n[
 confront$ by ano!r & a contradictory   
"o1 ! two d n /& on ! same level4 ,! new
 claimant mu/  prove 8 position1 & to   
prove x he mu/ disprove ! tru? (  !     
,scripture record4 ,x is n en\gh to %[ t
 8 proposition  might be true if we _h  
no o!r in=mation on ! subject3 he mu/   
%[ t ! ,scripture1 ) its mass ( support+
 & cumulative  evid5ce1 is false2 & he  
mu/ support 8 new proposition by a body 
( evid5ce /rong] ?an ?is manifold       

evid5ce ( ages by :i* !  ,scriptures are
 su/a9$4    ,! application ( ?is        
pr9ciple is obvi\s1 yet no?+ is m       
common ?an its violation4 ,an hypo!sis )
 c]ta9 analogies  p]haps 9 its favor1 b 
admitt$ly )\t a solit>y positive  pro(  
to su/a9 x1 is put =w>d z an e/abli%$   
tru? )\t  reg>d to ! fact t ! ,bible1 ) 
its g5]al "* (  v]acity beh9d x1 gives  
ano!r & an entirely diff]5t acc\nt  ( ! 
matt]4 ,we w n say ?is is irrev]5t3 x is
 unfair &  unreasonable4    ,! "* ( !   
,bible may ju/ly claim to su/a9 its     
record  till x is prov$ false4 ,deal ) x
 z fairly z y deal ) !  r$-h&$ an>*i/3  
let ! book be innoc5t till prov$ guilty2
  & if innoc5t1 ! writt5 ^w1 l !        
inc>nate ,^w1 /&s a  true witness 9 all 
?+s = ev]4 ,condemn$1 crucifi$1 buri$1 x
  w rise aga94 ,x is a p]il\s ?+ to     
condemn ! guiltless4    ,let u pass to  
ano!r rule ( law2 x is ?is3 ,! te/imony 
(  a s+le witness1 :]e !re is no gr\nd =
 suspect+ ei!r  8 ability or integrity1 
is a suffici5t legal gr\nd = belief     

7,/>kie on ,ev41 i4 #eej74 ,! m]e sil5ce
 ( "o witness or (  _m witnesses _c set 
aside ! cle>1 positive te/imony ( a     
s+le tru/wor?y witness4 ,t ,josephus    
does n m5tion ev5ts  :i* ,moses records 
does n affect ! tru? ( ! ,mosaic record1
  & 8 sil5ce z to ! ,be?lehem           
massacre--ev5 if no reason c\ld  be     
sugge/$ = x1 z !re c be--_c1 "u ?is rule
 (  law1 affect ! positive te/imony (   
,mat!w t !re 0 su* a  massacre4    ,!   
c\rts g f>!r ?an ?is4 ,!y say1 ,if a    
witness swe>  positively t he saw or    
he>d a fact1 & ano!r :o 0 pres5t  t he  
did n see or he> x1 & ! witnesses are   
equally  fai?wor?y1 ! affirmative       
witness is to be believ$ 7,decisions  ( 
! ,supreme ,c\rt ( ,errors ( ! ,/ate (  
,connecticut1 vol4  vi4 p4 #ahh74 ,9 !  
case ref]r$ to 9 t decision ! c\rt  set 
aside a v]dict t _h be5 r5d]$ by ! l[]  
c\rt on  ! negative te/imony ( elev5    
witnesses aga9/ ! positive  te/imony (  
?ree4 ,! pr9ciple recogniz$ by t        
decision1 &  :i* is univ]sally accept$ z

 law1 is t ! negative te/imony  (       
witnesses pres5t at any giv5 transaction
 _c set aside !  positive te/imony ( a  
f> less numb] ( witnesses1 or ev5 ( a   
s+le reliable witness4    ,! sil5ce (   
any ( ! evangeli/s 9 ref]5ce to an      
incid5t  or ev5t at :i* !y may h be5    
pres5t1 b :i* possibly  !y may n h      
notic$ or :i* !y d n record1 does n     
contradict 9 ! lea/ ! te/imony ( "o :o  
says su* an  incid5t occurr$4 ,! fact ( 
! m>riage 9 ,cana is n at all  di/urb$  
because ,john is ! only witness :o      
te/ifies to x4 ,s  if "o writ] /ates a  
"p ( an incid5t or ( a disc\rse :i*     
ano!r writ] omits1 :ile ! latt] gives a 
"p :i* ! fir/  omits1 !re is no         
contradiction4 ,mat!w 7xx4 #bj7 says !  
"m (  ,zeb$ee's *ildr5 made a c]ta9     
reque/ :i* ,m>k 7x4 #ce7 says !  *ildr5 
!mselves made4 ,b ?is is n inconsi/5t3 !
 *ildr5  unit$ ) ! "m 9 ! reque/4 ,mat!w
 calls att5tion to "o  p>ty2 ,m>k1 to   
ano!r4 ,no?+ c be m unreasonable ?an !  
cavil t /umbles at su* difficulties4    

,! rule be=e u applies to t extraord9>y 
d\bt ( mod]n  criticism--:e!r !         
,israelites 7 ev] 9 ,egypt1 because1 z  
affirm$1 ! monum5ts d n record _!       
pres5ce nor _! flight  nor ! de/ruction 
( ! ,egyptian ho/ at ! ,r$ ,sea4 ,n[1   
leav+  out ( ! argum5t ! /rong          
probability t ! monum5ts d  ref] to _!  
pres5ce 9 ,egypt1 & ! fur!r probability 
t  ! ,egyptians w\ld n be likely to     
pres]ve on _! monum5ts  ! record ( _!   
own ignom9y & ov]?r[1 ! objection c\ld  
n /& = a mom5t 9 any c\rt ( ju/ice 9 !  
pres5ce (  ! positive te/imony ( !      
record to ! hi/ory 9 ,egypt--all  ! m z 
?is te/imony is su/a9$ by an extraord9>y
 weight  ( incid5tal corroborative      
evid5ce1 & is involv$ 9 ! :ole          
subsequ5t hi/ory ( ! nation4    ,grant1 
if y w1 t !re are improbabilities 9 p>ts
 (  ! hi/ory2 /ill1 ! c\rts rule t m]e  
improbability c  r>ely supply a         
suffici5t gr\nd = disbeliev+ direct &   
unexceptionable witnesses ( ! fact :]e  
!re 0 no room =  mi/ake 7,/>kie1 i4     

#eeh2 see also ,gre5leaf on ,ev41 i4 #a1
  #ad1 #ae74 ,t canon1 fairly appli$1   
sweeps away no inconsid]able  portion ( 
! objections to ! ,scripture hi/ories4  
,take ! great  decisive fact ( !        
resurrection ( ,*ri/--a fact t c>ries ) 
x ! :ole ,*ri/ian sy/em & ! v]ity ( !   
:ole ,*ri/ian  revelation4 ,x is a fact 
( te/imony--( ! te/imony ( _m           
witnesses1 "u a great v>iety (          
circum/ances1 at _m times  & places1 &  
ext5d+ ?r\gh s long a p]iod z to        
preclude  all reasonable or admissible  
supposition ( mi/ake4 ,no fact (  anci5t
 hi/ory c be prov$ by te/imony if !     
resurrection (  ,*ri/ _c be4 ,! pro( /&s
 by itself1 positive1 direct1           
unexceptionable z to ! "* & capacity ( !
 witnesses4  ,x is pro( t ! law decl>es 
_c be set aside by m]e  improbability2 &
 if ?is fact is e/abli%$1 ev]y?+        
ess5tial  to ,*ri/ianity is e/abli%$4 ,!
 seal ( ! ris5 ,*ri/ is  on ! ,old      
,te/am5t2 8 blood is on ! ,new ,te/am5t4
 ,x is1  ?r\gh\t1 ! liv+ book ( ! sla9 &

 liv+ ,"l4    ,ano!r v important rule ( 
law is ?is3 ,9 cases ( conflict+        
evid5ce1 ! fir/ /ep 9 ! process (       
inquiry mu/ naturally  & obvi\sly be to 
asc]ta9 :e!r ! app>5t inconsi/5cies  &  
incongruities :i* x pres5ts may n )\t   
viol5ce be  reconcil$ 7,/>kie1 i4 #egh74
 ,:]e !re is an app>5t  inconsi/5cy or  
contradiction 9 ! te/imony ( witnesses1 
su*  con/ruction %all be put ^u x z to  
make x agree if possible1  = p]jury is n
 to be presum$ 7#f ,conn4 #ahi74 ,no?+  
is m  rem>kable ?an ! con/ant violation 
( ?is rule by _m ( !  critics ( !       
,bible2 _! ef=t is to see1 n if !       
te/imony  c be made to agree1 b if by   
any possibility x c be =c$ to  appe>    
contradictory4 ,x is h>dly putt+ x too  
/rongly to say  t _m ( ^! ef=ts w\ld n  
be consid]$ respectable1 &  w\ld n be   
tol]at$ by ! critics !mselves1 if !y    
conc]n$  any o!r book ?an ! ,bible & any
 o!r subject ?an ,*ri/ianity4    ,!     
c\rts take ev5 /rong] gr\nd on !        
obligation ( h>moniz+  app>5tly         

conflict+ evid5ce4 ,if ! elem5ts (      
reconciliation  are n f\nd 9 ! evid5ce  
itself1 !y insi/ on ! admission (  any  
reasonable supposition t w expla9 !     
difficulty4    ,:]e d\bt arises1 says   
,/>kie 7,ev4 i4 #ehf71 f  circum/ances (
 an app>5tly opposite & conflict+       
t5d5cy1 !  fir/ /ep 9 ! natural ord] (  
inquiry is to asc]ta9 :e!r  !y be n 9   
reality reconcilable1 especially :5     
circum/ances  _c be reject$ )\t imput+  
p]jury to a witness2 = p]jury  is n to  
be presum$1 & 9 ! abs5ce ( all suspicion
 t  hypo!sis is to be adopt$ :i* consi/s
 ) & reconciles all  ! circum/ances :i* 
! case supplies4 7,see also ,/>kie1 i4  
#egh1 #ehb47    ,take ! famili> case ( !
 tax+ :5 ,cyr5ius 0 gov]nor (  ,syria4  
,luke ii4 #b4 ,ev]ybody kn[s h[         
confid5tly x 0 ass]t$  t ,luke 0 9 error
 because ,cyr5ius' gov]nm5t ( ,syria 0  
sev]al ye>s lat] ?an ,luke makes x2     
equally1 e "o kn[s  h[ t difficulty 0   
met by ! supposition1 made almo/ a      
c]ta9ty1 t ,cyr5ius 0 twice gov]nor (   

,syria--once at !  "t 9 "q1 & once lat]4
 ,ev5 if ! supposition 7  n z probable z
 x is1 if !re 7 no o!r way ( solv+  !   
difficulty1 we %\ld be ju/ifi$ by !     
pr9ciple ( law 9  assum+ x r ?an to     
assume t a witness z intellig5t z       
,luke1 & ) 8 opportunities ( k & ) no   
motive  = mis/atem5t1 %\ld ei!r wilfully
 or c>elessly h made s  gross an error4 
,"h ! rule fits p]fectly3 ,9 ! abs5ce ( 
all  suspicion1 t hypo!sis is to be     
adopt$ :i* consi/s ) &  reconciles all !
 circum/ances :i* ! case supplies4    ,9
 reg>d to c]ta9 objections to ! ,mosaic 
record--=  example1 ! improbability ( ! 
des]t su/a9+ ! ho/ (  ! ,israelites3 we 
select ?is z an example ( a mass ( l    
objections--,dean ,/anley1 :ile hold+ 9 
g5]al to ! hi/oric  fact1 says ! record$
 miracles d n meet ! difficulty & we  h 
no "r to add to !m2 = if we h no w>rant 
to take  away1 we h no w>rant to add4   
,if by ?is he meant we h no  "r to add  
to ! inspir$ ^w z a "p ( x :at is n 9   
x1 he is q correct2 b if he meant1 z he 

evid5tly did1 t  we h no "r to make a   
reasonable supposition to expla9 an     
app>5t difficulty ( ! ^w1 no utt]ance c 
be m gr\ndless4  ,he might z well object
 t ,moses c\ld n possibly h l$ !        
,israelites ?r\gh ! des]t =ty ye>s      
because no man c\ld d  t )\t sleep+1 & !
 record does n say t ,moses slept  dur+ 
all t "t1 & we h no w>rant to add to !  
record4    ,! same difficulty is urg$ by
 o!rs f ! pres5t b>r5ness  ( ! des]t1   
:i* x is cont5d$ is sub/antially z x 0 9
  ! "t ( ! ,exodus4 ,?is is to be met n 
s mu* by hypo!sis  z by ! facts--7#a7 t 
! condition ( ! des]t 0 v  diff]5t !n f 
its condition n[4 ,because ! c\ntry     
ar\nd  ,philadelphia _c n[ support a    
tribe ( ,indians by hunt+ &  fi%+1 x    
does n foll[ t x c\ld n d ?is two hundr$
  ye>s ago4 7#b7 ,god _h und]tak5 to br+
 ! nation out4 ,if e  miracle necess>y  
to accompli% ?is end is n record$1 x    
does n  prove t x 0 n wr\ght4 ,z 9 !    
life ( our ,"l1 s 9 !  deliv]ance (     
,israel1 _m miracles may h be5 wr\ght ( 

:i*  no acc\nt has come d[n to u4       
,?is sugge/s an obvi\s & a v important  
consid]ation3 facts  may n[ be miss+ :i*
 7 p]fectly well kn[n at ! "t (  ! ev5t1
 b ! record ( :i* has n be5 pres]v$4    
,h5ce1 if  a difficulty c be remov$ by a
 reasonable supposition1 or ev5 by  any 
admissible supposition1 ( a miss+ fact1 
we are entitl$ to  make t supposition4  
,web/] 7,works1 vol4 vi4 p4 #fd7 9 8    
address to ! jury on !  celebrat$ trial 
( ! ,knapps = ! murd] ( ,capta9 ,:ite ( 
,salem1 ,massa*usetts1 says3 ,9 expla9+ 
circum/ances ( evid5ce  :i* are app>5tly
 irreconcilable or unacc\ntable1 if a   
fact be  sugge/$ :i* at once acc\nts =  
all & reconciles all1 by  :omsoev] x may
 be /at$1 x is /ill difficult n to      
believe  t su* fact is ! true fact      
belong+ to ! case4 ,! miss+  fact t 0   
want$ 9 ?is case to %[ a motive = !     
murd]  0 ! /eal+ ( a w1 or ! purpose to 
/eal a w1 & ?is  prov$ ! true hypo!sis4 
,to illu/rate by a famili> incid5t ( !  
,old ,te/am5t hi/ory4  ,! prophets      

,j]emiah & ,ezekiel =etell ! fate ( !   
la/ k+  ( ,judah1 ,z$ekiah4 ,j]4 xxxii42
 ,ezek4 xii4 ,!y decl>e t he  %all be   
tak5 captive by ! k+ ( ,babylon1 t he   
%all g to  ,babylon & t he %all die 9   
,babylon2 yet ,ezekiel expressly says  t
 he %all n see ,babylon4 ,n[1 "h is     
app>5tly z gross a  contradiction z !re 
c be2 & if our in=mation /opp$ "h1  x   
w\ld be impossible to reconcile x4      
,=tunately1 h[ev]1 !  explanation is    
giv5 9 ! hi/ory4 ,f #b ,k+s xxv4 we le>n
 t  ! k+ ( ,babylon1 :5 ,z$ekiah 0      
br\ght into 8 pres5ce at  ,riblah1 ord]$
 8 eyes to be put out & s5t him bl9d to 
,babylon2  s t he saw ! k+ ( ,babylon1  
he w5t to ,babylon1 he di$ 9  ,babylon1 
& yet he nev] saw ,babylon4 ,b--& ?is is
 ! po9t (  ?is famili> case--if ?is     
unexpect$ & extraord9>y fact _h n  be5  
/at$1 h[ absolutely impossible x w\ld h 
be5 to give any  satisfactory solution (
 ! difficulty6 ,x may be d\bt$ :e!r  any
 supposition z viol5t z ?is ne$s to be  
made to reconcile  e alleg$             

contradiction ( ! ,bible4    ,a         
rem>kable illu/ration ( ! p[] ( a miss+ 
fact occurs  9 ! hi/ory ( ! ov]?r[ (    
,babylon itself4 ,! ,scripture  acc\nt  
7,dan4 v47 says t ,bel%azz> 0 k+ (      
,babylon1 t he  0 9 ! city1 engag$ 9 a  
fea/1 at ! "t ( its capture1  & t he 0  
sla94 ,reliable secul> hi/orians give ! 
"n (  ! k+ z ,nabonn$us or ,labynetus1 &
 /ate t he 0 n 9  ! city :5 x 0 captur$1
 t he 0 n kill$1 b tak5  prison]1 k9dly 
treat$ & all[$ to retire to private     
life4 ,^!  diff]5t acc\nts 7 n only     
eag]ly seiz$ ^u by skeptics z  pro(s ( !
 error ( ! ,scriptures1 b ev5 biblical  
s*ol>s  admitt$ !m to be incapable (    
reconciliation4 ,no long] ago  ?an :5 ! 
writ] 0 9 ! !ological sem9>y t pr9ce  ( 
biblical /ud5ts1 ,addison ,alex&]1 said 
t no solution (  ! difficulty 0 kn[n2 he
 0 too wise a man to say t no  solution 
0 possible4 ,kitto1 9 8 ,cyclop$ia1     
decl>$ t no  hypo!sis c\ld h>monize !   
acc\nts4 ,yet ! reconciliation  0       
p]fectly simple4 ,a cyl9d] ( hi/oric    

records discov]$ by  ,sir ,h5ry         
,rawl9son 9 ! ru9s ( ,l[] ,babylon %[$ t
 !re  7 at ?is "t two k+s ( ,babylon1 a 
fa!r & a son4 ,"o 0  occupy+ a /ronghold
 ne> ! city1 ! o!r 0 def5d+ !  city     
itself2 ! latt] 0 tak5 & sla91 ! =m] 0  
sp>$4  ,?us1 by ! provid5tial br++ to   
light ( a fact buri$ =  c5turies1 t :i* 
_h seem$ to be1 & :i* _h repeat$ly &    
triumphantly be5 proclaim$ to be1 & :i* 
_h be5 giv5 up z  be+1 an irreconcilable
 contradiction1 0 %[n to be p]fectly    
h>moni\s4 ,yet if ! hypo!sis ( two k+s  
_h be5 sugge/$ z  an explanation be=e ! 
discov]y ( ! fact1 x w\ld h be5  hiss$  
out ( c\rt by ! :ole skeptical s*ool4   
,! two acc\nts ( ! dea? ( ,judas h n    
pass$ out ( !  field ( popul> objection4
 ,mat!w 7xxvii4 #e7 says he committ$    
suicide2 ,luke 7,acts i4 #ah7 says he   
fell headlong & bur/ asund]4  ,he does n
 say :]e he fell f or :at 7 !           
circum/ances (  ! fall1 & x is c]ta9ly n
 impossible1 or ev5 improbable1  t bo?  
acc\nts are true4 ,! traitor hung       

himself1 possibly1  on ! v]ge ( a       
precipice--! suppos$ spot furni%es all !
  conditions = ?is--& aft]w>d 7h[ long  
is n said7 ! rope  or ! limb ( ! tree   
gave way1 & he fell1 /rik+ fir/ on !    
rocks at ! foot ( ! tree & !n plung+ ov]
 ! precipice  ) ! result describ$ by    
,luke4    ,! case is n )\t a p>allel4 ,a
 few weeks s9ce ! pap]s  notic$ ! dea? (
 a g5tleman 9 "o ( our ,we/]n ,/ates4   
,accord+ to "o acc\nt1 he p]i%$ 9 a     
railroad disa/]2  accord+ to ano!r1 he  
committ$ suicide--a contradiction almo/ 
exactly l t 9 ! case ( ,judas4 ,yet !re 
0 no real  discrepancy4 ,) 8 wife & *ild
 he 0 on ! fatal tra9 t  met its doom at
 ,*atswor?4 ,8 *ild 0 kill$2 he & 8 wife
  7 tak5 f ! ru9s t]ribly injur$4 ,!    
wife soon di$2 9  despair1 & ) no hope (
 8 own life1 he drew 8 pi/ol &  s5t !   
ball ?r\gh 8 own head4 ,he p]i%$ 9 !    
,*atswor?  disa/]1 & he committ$        
suicide4    ,! application ( ^!         
pr9ciples ( law--! admission (  any     
reasonable hypo!sis1 or ( an hypo!sis t 

may seem  improbable1 if x removes !    
difficulty1 ! supposition (  miss+ facts
 kn[n at ! "t1 b n[ lo/--pr9ciples (    
con/ant application 9 our c\rts (       
ju/ice1--releases at once !  pressure f 
a l>ge "p ( ! objections to ! inspir$   
record4  ,! acc\nts ( ! heal+ ( ! bl9d  
m5 at ,j]i*o & !  resurrection (        
,*ri/--two ( ! mo/ difficult ( full     
explanation  9 ! ,new ,te/am5t--require 
no m ?an ?is4 ,x is n h>d to  pres5t    
reasonable hypo!ses to meet ! cases z !y
 /&2 &  if all ! facts 7 kn[n to u we   
believe ! h>mony w\ld be  z complete & z
 simple z t ( ! hi/ories ( ! siege &    
capture ( ,babylon4    ,we draw !       
discussion to a close ) ! words ( !     
em95t  ,am]ican juri/ & legal au?ority1 
,pr(essor ,gre5leaf3 ,all t  ,*ri/ianity
 or ! ,bible asks ( m5 on ?is subject is
 t  !y w\ld be consi/5t ) !mselves1 t !y
 w\ld treat its  evid5ce z !y treat !   
evid5ce ( o!r ?+s1 & t !y  w\ld try &   
judge its actors & witnesses z !y deal )
 _!  fell[-m5 :5 te/ify+ to human       

affairs & actions 9 human  tribunals4   
,?is1 z we h said1 is n ! highe/ claim t
 we c make  = ! ,bible2 b if m5 w g z f>
 z ?is1 & deal ) !  alleg$              
contradictions ( ! book hone/ly by !    
common rules (  evid5ce1 ! va/ majority 
( all ! difficulties to :i* ^!  rules   
apply w disappe>4 ,9 ! mean "t1 if !re  
are ^?  t d n yield to pres5t k1 we c   
af=d to wait4 ,_m  objections once      
suppos$ to be unansw]able h be5 answ]$1 
&  ! process is go+ on4 ,god is v       
pati5t1 b we may be assur$  t ,he :o j z
 ! occasion has dem&$ has summon$ up !  
sil5t witnesses to 8 ^w f ! valley ( !  
,nile1 f !  /ormy cliffs ( ,s9ai1 f !   
pla9s ( ,mesopotamia & f !  sull5 %ores 
( ! ,dead ,sea1 w n fail 9 ! future to  
give  all ! confirmation ( 8 tru? t !   
fai? ( 8 ,*ur* may  ne$4      ,,wa%+ton1
 ,d4 ,c41 #ahhh4      ,,! ,,end4        
99       99       99       99       99  
,transcrib]'s note3    ,text enclos$ by 
und]scores is 9 italics 7italics74      
,small capital text has be5 replac$ )   

all capitals4    ,v>iations 9 spell+1   
punctuation & hyph5ation h be5  reta9$  
except 9 obvi\s cases ( typographical   
error4    ,miss+ page numb]s are page   
numb]s t 7 n %[n 9  ! orig9al text4     
,! cov] = ! e,book v]sion ( ?is book 0  
creat$ by !  transcrib] & is plac$ 9 !  
public doma94