MRS. VAN COTT, THE REVIVALIST
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Ingersoll, Robert Green and Widger, David
Question. I see, Colonel, that in an interview published this morning, Mrs. Van Cott (the revivalist), calls you "a poor barking dog." Do you know her personally?
Answer. I have never met or seen her.
Question. Do you know the reason she applied the epithet?
Answer. I suppose it to be the natural result of what is called vital piety; that is to say, universal love breeds individual hatred.
Question. Do you intend making any reply to what she says?
Answer. I have written her a note of which this is a copy:
Buffalo, Feb. 24th, 1878. MRS. VAN COTT;
My dear Madam:—Were you constrained by the love of Christ to call a man who has never injured you "a poor barking dog?" Did you make this remark as a Christian, or as a lady? Did you say these words to illustrate in some faint degree the refining influence upon women of the religion you preach?
What would you think of me if I should retort, using your language, changing only the sex of the last word?
I have the honor to remain,
Yours truly,
R. G. INGERSOLL
Question. Well, what do you think of the religious revival system generally?
Answer. The fire that has to be blown all the time is a poor thing to get warm by. I regard these revivals as essentially barbaric. I think they do no good, but much harm, they make innocent people think they are guilty, and very mean people think they are good.
Question. What is your opinion concerning women as conductors of these revivals?
Answer. I suppose those engaged in them think they are doing good. They are probably honest. I think, however, that neither men nor women should be engaged in frightening people into heaven. That is all I wish to say on the subject, as I do not think it worth talking about.
—The Express, Buffalo, New York, Feb., 1878.