peaking of death and the hereafter
one day, I heard him express himself in about the same language he
afterward used on the lecture platform. It made a wonderful
impression on me. He said:

"And suppose after all that death does end all? Next to eternal
joy, next to being forever with those we love and those who have
loved us, next to that, is to be wrapt in the dreamless drapery of
eternal peace. Next to eternal life is eternal sleep. Upon the
shadowy shore of death, the sea of trouble casts no wave. Eyes
that have been curtained by the everlasting dark, will never know
again the burning touch of tears. Lips touched by eternal silence
will never speak again the broken words of grief. Hearts of dust
do not break. The dead do not weep. Within the tomb no veiled
and weeping sorrow sits, and in the rayless gloom is crouched no
shuddering fear.

"I had rather think of those I have loved, and lost, as having
returned to earth, as having become a part of the elemental wealth
of the world--I would rather think of them as unconscious dust, I
would rather dream of them as gurgling in the streams, floating in
the clouds, bursting in the form of light upon the shores of worlds,
I would rather think of them as the lost visions of a forgotten
night, than to have even the faintest fear that their naked souls
have been clutched by an orthodox God. I will leave my dear where
Nature leaves them. Whatever flower of hope springs up in my heart,
I will cherish, I will give it breath of sighs and rain of tears.
But I cannot believe that there is any being in this universe who
has been created for eternal pain."

Had it not been for the manner in which Robert Ingersoll outraged
the members of every Christian denomination by attacking and
ridiculing their beliefs, he would certainly have been called to
high office in the Nation. He did not spare any denomination.
Beginning with the Catholics and ending with the Baptists, he abused
them all, made fun of them, and mercilessly pointed out their weak
points. He was always particularly bitter against the Presbyterian
Church, because, he declared, he was raised a Presbyterian, and
knew more about that church than any other. The two brothers were
very fond of each other, and Ebon C. never seemed to tire of talking
about his brother's great talent. Robert G. was nearly broken-
hearted when his brother died. One of the most touching and eloquent
addresses which I have ever heard