The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Complete Contents...

MY REVIEWERS REVIEWED. (1877.) Answer to San Francisco Clergymen—Definition of Liberty, Physical and Mental—The Right to Compel Belief—Woman the Equal of Man—The Ghosts—Immortality—Slavery—Witchcraft—Aristocracy of the Air—Unfairness of Clerical Critics—Force and Matter—Doctrine of Negation—Confident Deaths of Murderers—Childhood Scenes returned to by the Dying—Death-bed of Voltaire—Thomas Paine—The First Sectarians Were Heretics—Reply to Rev. Mr. Guard—Slaughter of the Canaanites—Reply to Rev. Samuel Robinson—Protestant Persecutions—Toleration—Infidelity and Progress—The Occident—Calvinism—Religious Editors—Reply to the Rev. Mr. Ijams—Does the Bible teach Man to Enslave his Brothers?—Reply to California Christian Advocate—Self-Government of French People at and Since the Revolution—On the Site of the Bastile—French Peasant's Cheers for Jesus Christ—Was the World created in Six Days—Geology—What is the Astronomy of the Bible?—The Earth the Centre of the Universe—Joshua's Miracle—Change of Motion into Heat—Geography and Astronomy of Cosmas—Does the Bible teach the Existence of that Impossible Crime called Witchcraft?—Saul and the Woman of Endor—Familiar Spirits—Demonology of the New Testament—Temptation of Jesus—Possession by Devils—Gadarene Swine Story—Test of Belief—Bible Idea of the Rights of Children—Punishment of the Rebellious Son—Jephthah's Vow and Sacrifice—Persecution of Job—The Gallantry of God—Bible Idea of the Rights of Women—Paul's Instructions to Wives—Permission given to Steal Wives—Does the Bible Sanction Polygamy and Concubinage?—Does the Bible Uphold and

Justify Political Tyranny?—Powers that be Ordained of God—Religious Liberty of God—Sun-Worship punishable with Death—Unbelievers to be damned—Does the Bible describe a God of Mercy?—Massacre Commanded—Eternal Punishment Taught in the New Testament—The Plan of Salvation—Fall and Atonement Moral Bankruptcy—Other Religions—Parsee Sect—Brahmins—Confucians—Heretics and Orthodox.

MY CHICAGO BIBLE CLASS. (1879.) Rev. Robert Collyer—Inspiration of the Scriptures—Rev. Dr. Thomas—Formation of the Old Testament—Rev. Dr. Kohler—Rev. Mr. Herford—Prof. Swing—Rev. Dr. Ryder.

TO THE INDIANAPOLIS CLERGY. (1882.) Rev. David Walk—Character of Jesus—Two or Three Christs Described in the Gospels—Christ's Change of Opinions—Gospels Later than the Epistles—Divine Parentage of Christ a Late Belief—The Man Christ probably a Historical Character—Jesus Belittled by his Worshipers—He never Claimed to be Divine—Christ's Omissions—Difference between Christian and other Modern Civilizations—Civilization not Promoted by Religion—Inventors—French and American Civilization: How Produced—Intemperance and Slavery in Christian Nations—Advance due to Inventions and Discoveries—Missionaries—Christian Nations Preserved by Bayonet and Ball—Dr. T. B. Taylor—Origin of Life on this Planet—Sir William Thomson—Origin of Things Undiscoverable—Existence after Death—Spiritualists—If the Dead Return—Our Calendar—Christ and Christmas-The Existence of Pain—Plato's Theory of Evil—Will God do Better in Another World than he does in this?—Consolation—Life Not a Probationary Stage—Rev. D.O'Donaghue—The Case of Archibald Armstrong and Jonathan Newgate—Inequalities of Life—Can Criminals live a Contented Life?—Justice of the Orthodox God Illustrated.

THE BROOKLYN DIVINES. (1883.) Are the Books of Atheistic or Infidel Writers Extensively Read?—Increase in the Number of Infidels—Spread of Scientific Literature—Rev. Dr. Eddy—Rev. Dr. Hawkins—Rev. Dr. Haynes—Rev. Mr. Pullman—Rev. Mr. Foote—Rev. Mr. Wells—Rev. Dr. Van Dyke—Rev. Carpenter—Rev. Mr. Reed—Rev. Dr. McClelland—Ministers Opposed to Discussion—Whipping Children—Worldliness as a Foe of the Church—The Drama—Human Love—Fires, Cyclones, and Other Afflictions as Promoters of Spirituality—Class Distinctions—Rich and Poor—Aristocracies—The Right to Choose One's Associates—Churches Social Affairs—Progress of the Roman Catholic Church—Substitutes for the Churches—Henry Ward Beecher—How far Education is Favored by the Sects—Rivals of the Pulpit—Christianity Now and One Hundred Years Ago—French Revolution produced by the Priests—Why the Revolution was a Failure—Infidelity of One Hundred Years Ago—Ministers not more Intellectual than a Century Ago—Great Preachers of the Past—New Readings of Old Texts—Clerical Answerers of Infidelity—Rev. Dr. Baker—Father Fransiola—Faith and Reason—Democracy of Kindness—Moral Instruction—Morality Born of Human Needs—The Conditions of Happiness—The Chief End of Man.

THE LIMITATIONS OF TOLERATION. (1888.) Discussion between Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, Hon. Frederic R. Coudert, and ex-Gov. Stewart L. Woodford before the Nineteenth Century Club of New York—Propositions—Toleration not a Disclaimer but a Waiver of the Right to Persecute—Remarks of Courtlandt Palmer—No Responsibility for Thought—Intellectual Hospitality—Right of Free Speech—Origin of the term "Toleration"—Slander and False Witness—Nobody can Control his own Mind: Anecdote—Remarks of Mr. Coudert—Voltaire, Rousseau, Hugo, and Ingersoll—General Woodford's Speech—Reply by Colonel Ingersoll—A Catholic Compelled to Pay a Compliment to Voltaire—Responsibility for Thoughts—The Mexican Unbeliever and his Reception in the Other Country.

A CHRISTMAS SERMON. (1891.) Christianity's Message of Grief—Christmas a Pagan Festival—Reply to Dr. Buckley—Charges by the Editor of the Christian Advocate—The Tidings of Christianity—In what the Message of Grief Consists—Fear and Flame—An Everlasting Siberia—Dr. Buckley's Proposal to Boycott the Telegram—Reply to Rev. J. M. King and Rev. Thomas Dixon, Jr. Cana Day be Blasphemed?—Hurting Christian feelings—For Revenue only What is Blasphemy?—Balaam's Ass wiser than the Prophet—The Universalists—Can God do Nothing for this World?—The Universe a Blunder if Christianity is true—The Duty of a Newspaper—Facts Not Sectarian—The Rev. Mr. Peters—What Infidelity Has Done—Public School System not Christian—Orthodox Universities—Bruno on Oxford—As to Public Morals—No Rewards or Punishments in the Universe—The Atonement Immoral—As to Sciences and Art—Bruno, Humboldt, Darwin—Scientific Writers Opposed by the Church—As to the Liberation of Slaves—As to the Reclamation of Inebriates—Rum and Religion—The Humanity of Infidelity—What Infidelity says to the Dying—The Battle Continued—Morality not Assailed by an Attack on Christianity—The Inquisition and Religious Persecution—Human Nature Derided by

Christianity—Dr. DaCosta—"Human Brotherhood" as exemplified by the History of the Church—The Church and Science, Art and Learning——Astronomy's Revenge—Galileo and Kepler—Mrs. Browning: Science Thrust into the Brain of Europe—Our Numerals—Christianity and Literature—Institution's of Learning—Stephen Girard—James Lick—Our Chronology—Historians—Natural Philosophy—Philology—Metaphysical Research—Intelligence, Hindoo, Egyptian—Inventions—John Ericsson—Emancipators—Rev. Mr. Ballou—The Right of Goa to Punish—Rev. Dr. Hillier—Rev. Mr. Haldeman—George A. Locey—The "Great Physician"—Rev. Mr. Talmage—Rev. J. Benson Hamilton—How Voltaire Died—The Death-bed of Thomas Paine—Rev. Mr. Holloway—Original Sin—Rev. Dr. Tyler—The Good Samaritan a Heathen—Hospitals and Asylums—Christian Treatment of the Insane—Rev. Dr. Buckley—The North American Review Discussion—Judge Black, Dr. Field, Mr. Gladstone—Circulation of Obscene Literature—Eulogy of Whiskey—Eulogy of Tobacco—Human Stupidity that Defies the Gods—Rev. Charles Deems—Jesus a Believer in a Personal Devil—The Man Christ.

SUICIDE OF JUDGE NORMILE. (1892.) Reply to the Western Watchman—Henry D'Arcy—Peter's Prevarication-Some Excellent Pagans-Heartlessness of a Catholic—Wishes do not Affect the Judgment—Devout Robbers—Penitent Murderers—Reverential Drunkards—Luther's Distich—Judge Normile—Self-destruction.

IS SUICIDE A SIN? (1894.) Col. Ingersoll's First Letter in The New York World—Under what Circumstances a Man has the Right to take his Own Life—Medicine and the Decrees of God—Case of the Betrayed Girl—Suicides not Cowards—Suicide under Roman Law—Many Suicides Insane—Insanity Caused by Religion—The Law against Suicide Cruel and Idiotic—Natural and Sufficient Cause for Self-destruction—Christ's Death a Suicide—Col. Ingersoll's Reply to his Critics—Is Suffering the Work of God?—It is not Man's Duty to Endure Hopeless Suffering—When Suicide is Justifiable—The Inquisition—Alleged Cowardice of Suicides—Propositions Demonstrated—Suicide the Foundation of the Christian Religion—Redemption and Atonement—The Clergy on Infidelity and Suicide—Morality and Unbelief—Better injure yourself than Another—Misquotation by Opponents—Cheerful View the Best—The Wonder is that Men endure—Suicide a Sin (Interview in The New York Journal)—Causes of Suicide—Col. Ingersoll Does Not Advise Suicide—Suicides with Tracts or Bibles in their Pockets—Suicide a Sin (Interview in The New York Herald)—Comments on Rev. Alerle St. Croix Wright's Sermon—Suicide and Sanity (Interview in The York World)—As to the Cowardice of Suicide—Germany and the Prevalence of Suicide—Killing of Idiots and Defective Infants—Virtue, Morality, and Religion.

IS AVARICE TRIUMPHANT? (1891.) Reply to General Rush Hawkins' Article, "Brutality and Avarice Triumphant"—Croakers and Prophets of Evil—Medical Treatment for Believers in Universal Evil—Alleged Fraud in Army Contracts—Congressional Extravagance—Railroad "Wreckers"—How Stockholders in Some Roads Lost Their Money—The Star-Route Trials—Timber and Public Lands—Watering Stock—The Formation of Trusts—Unsafe Hotels: European Game and Singing Birds—Seal Fisheries—Cruelty to Animals—Our Indians—Sensible and Manly Patriotism—Days of Brutality—Defence of Slavery by the Websters, Bentons, and Clays—Thirty Years' Accomplishment—Ennobling Influence of War for the Right—The Lady ana the Brakeman—American Esteem of Honesty in Business—Republics do not Tend to Official Corruption—This the Best Country in the World.

A REPLY TO THE CINCINNATI GAZETTE AND CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH. (1878.) Defence of the Lecture on Moses—How Biblical Miracles are sought to be Proved—Some Non Sequiturs—A Grammatical Criticism—Christianity Destructive of Manners—Cuvier and Agassiz on Mosaic Cosmogony—Clerical Advance agents—Christian Threats and Warnings—Catholicism the Upas Tree—Hebrew Scholarship as a Qualification for Deciding Probababilities —Contradictions and Mistranslations of the Bible—Number of Errors in the Scriptures—The Sunday Question.

AN INTERVIEW ON CHIEF JUSTICE COMEGYS. (1881.) Charged with Blasphemy in the State of Delaware—Can a Conditionless Deity be Injured?—Injustice the only Blasphemy—The Lecture in Delaware—Laws of that State—All Sects in turn Charged with Blasphemy—Heresy Consists in making God Better than he is Thought to Be—A Fatal Biblical Passage—Judge Comegys—Wilmington Preachers—States with Laws against Blasphemy—No Danger of Infidel Mobs—No Attack on the State of Delaware Contemplated—Comegys a Resurrection—Grand Jury's Refusal to Indict—Advice about the Cutting out of Heretics' Tongues—Objections to the Whipping-post—Mr. Bergh's Bill—One Remedy for Wife-beating.

A REPLY TO REV. DRS. THOMAS AND LORIMER. (1882.) Solemnity—Charged with Being Insincere—Irreverence—Old Testament Better than the New—"Why Hurt our Feelings?"—Involuntary Action of the Brain—Source of our Conceptions of Space—Good and Bad—Right and Wrong—The Minister, the Horse and the Lord's Prayer—Men Responsible for their Actions—The "Gradual" Theory Not Applicable to the Omniscient—Prayer Powerless to Alter Results—Religious Persecution—Orthodox Ministers Made Ashamed of their Creed—Purgatory—Infidelity and Baptism Contrasted—Modern Conception of the Universe—The Golden Bridge of Life—"The Only Salutation"—The Test for Admission to Heaven—"Scurrility."

A REPLY TO REV. JOHN HALL AND WARNER VAN NORDEN. (1892.) Dr. Hall has no Time to Discuss the subject of Starving Workers—Cloakmakers' Strike—Warner Van Norden of the Church Extension Society—The Uncharitableness of Organized Charity—Defence of the Cloakmakers—Life of the Underpaid—On the Assertion that Assistance encourages Idleness and Crime—The Man without Pity an Intellectual Beast—Tendency of Prosperity to Breed Selfishness—Thousands Idle without Fault—Egotism of Riches—Van Norden's Idea of Happiness—The Worthy Poor.

A REPLY TO THE REV. DR. PLUMB. (1898.) Interview in a Boston Paper—Why should a Minister call this a "Poor" World?—Would an Infinite God make People who Need a Redeemer?—Gospel Gossip—Christ's Sayings Repetitions—The Philosophy of Confucius—Rev. Mr. Mills—The Charge of "Robbery"—The Divine Plan.

(1898.) Interview in the New York Journal—Rev. Roberts. MacArthur—A Personal Devil—Devils who held Conversations with Christ not simply personifications of Evil—The Temptation—The "Man of Straw"—Christ's Mission authenticated by the Casting Out of Devils—Spain—God Responsible for the Actions of Man—Rev. Dr. J. Lewis Parks—Rev. Dr. E. F. Moldehnke—Patience amidst the Misfortunes of Others—Yellow Fever as a Divine Agent—The Doctrine that All is for the Best—Rev. Mr. Hamlin—Why Did God Create a Successful Rival?—A Compliment by the Rev. Mr. Belcher—Rev. W. C. Buchanan—No Argument Old until it is Answered—Why should God Create sentient Beings to be Damned?—Rev. J. W. Campbell—Rev. Henry Frank—Rev. E. C.J. Kraeling on Christ and the Devil—Would he make a World like This?