DEATHBEDS OF INFIDELS

Evening Star, Issue 20129, 20 March 1929, Page 2

DEATHBEDS OF INFIDELS

TO TBS EDITO*. .Sir.— ! am sorry that i have again to ask the use of your columns to take exception to statements made by Christian believers, but such a glaring sample of bigotry lias been thrust before me that .1 feel compelled to reply. In an advance note advertising the holding of a religions service 111 Die Town " IJall. .North-east Valley, on Sunday, March 17, there arc references to noted infidels and the statement made that it is not in the ideas ot .such people that people can find “ lime, lasting happiness.” On this .1 have little to say. It is when the deathbed words of the infidels are quoted that, I lake strong exception. Thomas Heine (not J’ayne, as the pamphlet, has it) is described as crying 111 his last moments, “ O. .Lord, help me I God, help me! Jesus, help me!'' This is utterly false and contrary to facl. it is a tale which has been repeated on numerous occasions, and as ofi.eii contradicted and proven untrue. Colonel Ingersoll. many years ago when he heard of an attempt lo defame the memory of the great Thomas Paine, threw out a challenge to the editor making if, to prove it true! - ' The editor could not claim the money ottered. The words of Voltaire, given in this pamphlet, are that he said : ’’ I am lost, 1 am lost. Oh that I bad never been born.” This likewise is absolulelv nut rue. Some, of Ingersoli’s words ar 1 also given as a confession of vveak--11 c ; s and frustration. Alter Ingcrsoll’s deal h lying charges were made or repeated here 111 Dunedin regarding his last words. These were quickly coni rad ictd hy a nationalist hero, a letter Irom Airs ingcrsoll also being written denying the statemem-. The preacher responsible was forced to retract and apologise. Thai is a course of action which the author of the pamphlet ilirnsi hefore me a day or two ago should most certainly adopt, --I am, etc., LA.V.F. Ala rch 17!, I This letter has been abridged,—Md. L.S.J