nd the admission proves the dishonesty of the
examiners and the examined. The new version of the Old and New
Testaments has done much to weaken confidence in the doctrine of
inspiration. It has occurred to a good many that if God took the
pains to inspire men to write the Bible, he ought to have inspired
others to translate it correctly. The general tendency today is
toward science, toward naturalism, toward what is called Infidelity,
but is in fact fidelity. Men are in a transition state, and the
people, on the average, have more real good, sound sense to-day
than ever before. The church is losing its power for evil. The
old chains are wearing out, and new ones are not being made. The
tendency is toward intellectual freedom, and that means the final
destruction of the orthodox bastille.

_Question_. What is your opinion of General Grant as he stands
before the people to-day?

_Answer_. I have always regarded General Grant as the greatest
soldier this continent has produced. He is to-day the most
distinguished son of the Republic. The people have the greatest
confidence in his ability, his patriotism and his integrity. The
financial disaster impoverished General Grant, but he did not stain
the reputation of the grand soldier who led to many victories the
greatest army that ever fought for the liberties of man.

--_Iowa State Register_, May 23, 1885.

HELL OR SHEOL AND OTHER SUBJECTS.

_Question_. Colonel, have you read the revised Testament?

_Answer_. Yes, but I don't believe the work has been fairly done.
The clergy are not going to scrape the butter off their own bread.
The clergy are offensive partisans, and those of each denomination
will interpret the Scriptures their way. No Baptist minister would
countenance a "Revision" that favored sprinkling, and no Catholic
priest would admit that any version would be correct that destroyed
the dogma of the "real presence." So I might go through all the
denominations.

_Question_. Why was the word sheol introduced in place of hell,
and how do you like the substitute?

_Answer_. The civilized world has outgrown the vulgar and brutal
hell of their fathers and founders of the churches. The clergy
are ashamed to preach about sulphurous flames and undying worms.
The imagination of the world has been developed, the heart has
grown tender, and the old dogma of eternal pain shocks all civilized
people. It is becoming disgraceful either to preach or b