Franklin County tribune. (Union, Mo.), 1901-01-18

              FRANKLIN COUNTY TRIBUNE. 4 The Bible Versus Nature--Mr. Hamilton Answers the "Seeker." Though possessing a youthfal mind; and a crazed imagination that has been contorted by the ignorance and superstition of past 'Hues; though, as my erudite opponent has asserted, I have vainly theorized upon superstitious myths; though possessing cbarae-teiistics akin to those primitive men who lived in "caves and holes," yet I beg once mote the privilege of coming from my subterranean domicile, and of laying aside my covering of snake skins to jabber in my own savage way a few ideas that may seem slightly in opposition to those of the great intellectual giant with whom it seems I collided. I shall bear the charge of a youthful mind, falsely , trained, and that of possessing a "crazed imagination'' with all the grace and good-will that I believe a young man should observe when arguing with one whom age and narrowness renders excusable for bigoted arrogance and self-conceit. But, Mr. J? eeker, has it never occurred to you that an array of words is uo guage to the depth of argument! And has it not occurred to you, Mr. Seeker, that you should seek to get back upon the subject from which you wandered so far in your four-column article of the last i3stie of the Tribune. Permit me to remind you of what subject you set out to discuss: "Resolved, That the Bible furnishes Greater Evidence of a Supreme Being than does Nature." Yon have tepudiated the very premises upon which you began to reason, for you have repeatedly declared in your article that there is no such thing as supernatuialism (or God), thereby, not only seeking to destroy the evidence I have given to you, but disclaiming the evidence it was your mission to affirm, and overthrowing the very premises upon which your proposition was founded. Do you know, Mr. Seeker, that the use of a comparative implies the admission of a positive? And when you began the argument of the question, "Resolved, That the Bible furnishes Greater Evidence of a Supreme Being that does Nature' you have implied evidences of God's existence in the Bible, and to enlarge upon these evidences is the patt of the proposition you have to deal with solely? And here, in your own words, you have overthrown what you have set out to prove. Here they are: In using my quotation, "All reasoning men admit striking evidences of God's existence, both in nature and in the Bible," you say, "Reasoning men do not make such concessions," "All worshipers of supernaturalism (or God) find a reality only in imagination and sentiment." Here you have denied the very evidence it was yours to establish, and I can but smile to see a man hurling bombshells at his own fortifica ttons. Now, Mr. seeker, 1 am sure it is clearly obvious to any man with half sense and one eye, thar you have lost your subject, and have, in your confusion, burled ridicule at me for even presuming that there were any ev idences of a God whatever, wheth er natural or Biblical. I appie ciate the numerous bouquets that you have thrown at me, but. I must say that you have certainly fallen short of establishing any evidence of God's existence in the Bible, which, and which alone it was your mission to establish, but you have succeeded remaikably in entering an endless tirade upon all who presume to believe la God, and set up in a very ludicrous way, nature as the sole originator, propagator and prime mover of all. However, as you have entered upon a foreign subject, and one which I had no idea of discussing, I shall, if you are willing to hear with a "mind falsely tiained" and akin to those of "men who lived in holes and clothed themselves in skins," merely point you to a few things that may be worth your while to consider. I see you state that your mind has progiessed, while mine has lagged behind, that you have aked questions regard ing these heathenish claims, and have found answers that I have not. Now, will you kindly, and out of consideration lor one in Egyptian darknfss, please slack up your progress just a little thai I may gain sufficient proximity to you to ask you a few more heath THE ILTIE WS -THE TJELIBTJUSTE W-AJSTTS IT-THE GIVES IT-VOLUME 14. UNION, FRANKLIN COUNTY, MISSOURI, FRIDAY, JANUARY is, 1901. NUMBER 34. . j - """""T! enish questions, and peihaps your answers may elevate me to that intellectual eminence which you seem to occupy. I do certainly agree with you in your unnecessary reniaiks upon the fitness and adaptability with which nature has invested its multiplied forms of life. I likewise concur with you in your idea that things exist by an inevitable necessity, and that the "mite and the Mastodon" are the result of imperative conditions; but I am at a loss to understand the term "causes" that you say bring about conditions. You say emphiically, and in a language that will bear no question that there is nothing "Supra" if you please, or beyond nature, and in the same sentence you speak of"caus s7'that influence or bring about these conditions. n fact you have landed yourself upon ury-rocK. mere is no dodging the inevitable tjuth, and the laws of nature and the works of God work on in harmouious unison unmindful of the ignorance that questions their otigin, or of human inability to fathom their design. Has it never occurred to yon hat these "causes" that condition are above nature? Has it never occurred to you that these finely drawn plans and preordained con ditions may be the work of the Master's hand? Could not the power that taught the sparrow to build her nest, the power which paints with resplendent hues the gorgeous panorama of the heavens, which moves the tides of the mighty deep, which not only swung into position the great orbs of the heavens, but gave to man the power to calculate their distances and measure their velocities. Could this, I say, not have been the same power to which men of all ages, (as you have so iguo- rantly denied) have paid homage and sought in various ways to worship by personifying him as the sun, the moon or other striking products of his hand? The fact that you deny what is historical truth docs not deDrive it of its faice: the fact of your inability to formulate the of the hu-knowledge of various motives man family, (a whose rather history you presume, than possess.) renders them no less effective to the man who can trace an eternal principle through endless ages. To whom the scream of the barbarian mother, sacrificing her child, the simple faith of the Toaist or Buddist, the Egyptain seeking to appease the spirit of Osiris, or the trembling Greek biding the war council on Olvmpus, to whom one aul all of these things are alike the voicing of the same, the eternal inclination of man in various forms to worship and acknowledge God; and whether their savage hymns have been chanted before the statue of Buddha, the Shrine of Delphi, or upon the teocalh of the Aztec, tbey all find pareutage in the same eternal principle, and in their own weird tones evince as much of simple ad oration, as do the sweet sounding chimes from the steeple of St. Paul's, or the melodious sym phony of the choir and organ rolling with sonorous volume the Te Deum through the vaulted arches of Westminister. If I have now gained sufficient nearness to address you, I snail bejiin some of those heathenish interrogations. Follow, now, your own reasonings: "every act of everything or being is the effect of producing causes, and is what it is from compulsion.'' Again, "There is no part of the universal whole that can a. t move exist within itself." Allright, sir: Now, just a question or two and I am satisfied you will smile at your own explicit nonsense: Did you always exist in the person oi Mr. Seeker? No! yen say, but the possibility of my existence was in natute, and needed only causes to condition it; Oh yes! ?? Did na ture then briug about the causes that conditioned jour existeuce, or were they superinduced by things outside of nature? Now go very slowly Mr. Seeker. Didn't you say that anything "Supra" or beyond natuie was a myth of a crazed imagination? So, that denies anything outside of nature "causing" the conditions that brought out our existence. Now let us turn to the last hope. Your tremendous avalanche of philosophy has blockaded the way; here it is; "There is kio part of the universal whole that can act, move or exist within itself." Nature is a part of this universal whole, nature forces aie a part of the universal whole, hence neither natuie nor natural lorces could have occasioned your existence, for "there is no part of the universal whole that can act, move or exist within itself." You are a part of the "universal whole," hence you could not have occasioned your existence, and I have really begun to doubt whether you really exist; for beyond natural forces, there is naught, and none of nature or her parts can act move or exist within themselves, so I have arrived at this very ludricrous conclusion: that nothing has occasioned something, aud I am sure I know of no use that can be made of these hard earued conclusions, unless in were inverted and printed as a moral to the four-column article found in the last issue of the Tki hunk. Just another remark or two, Mr. Seeker, aud then I shall draw my mantle of "skins" about me, and retire to my hole in the ground. I have been guilty of the awful charge of quoting a portion of the opening verses of the 14th Psalm. "The fool has sa:d within his heart there is no God." I wish to answer your interrogation concern ing this quotation, l ou ask me, if, as a teacher, I impart to my pupils the idea that the heart is the organ wherein is located the faculties of reason and the power of speech! Permit me to say that I have never had a pupil of normal intelligence at the age of 12 or 14 years, but what could fully compiehend this simplest tiguie of speech, and if l must here degress to analyze for you so primative a figure of language, I have do hopes of getting into the argument, whose simple language it will be necessary for you to understand, i:i Older to deal wih the proposition. Permuting to you your choice then, in saying there is nothing above nature, is there not some things within natuie that Dears evidence of divine wisdom, aud show the author's prespective view of the end even in the beginning? Was it by a law of nature independent of divine intention that the earth poised in her orbit with her poles at an inclination ot 23 1-2 degrees toward the plane of the ecliptic? Have you ever conceived the result, if she had found an equilibrium with her polar diameter at right angles with her orbit? Was it by a uatural consequence unforeseen that the moon's orbit assumed an inclination of a few degrees to the plane of the oi-bit of the earth, thereby avoiding an eclipse at every revolution? Was it the same unfoieseen accident that upheaved the deposits of the Carboniferous age for the uses of civilization? Was it not a remarkable law, whiee operating in the primeval solitudes of our planet's early history, germinated and developed through the slow lapse of ages those forces to be utilized by civilization almost an eternity sincel Ob how I iity that man who is incapable of reasoning beyond the physical senses, who bows at the shrine of infidelity, who hears not, feels not, sees not that power within himself that makes bun Godlike. "Alas! Tor bim who never sees, The stars shine through his cypres s trees." But I have possibly detained you too long, Mr. Seeker, you may now go on in your progress and I shall return to my hole; but, if ou ever have occassion to come again and call me from my hovel of darkness, please do not iuvite me to newspaper discussions, for my you'll and crazed imagination are unfit to figure there 1 would rather choose to meet you in joint debate, where the laws of decorum would contiue you to your subject, and you conld not impose upon your readers, who have no appeal. t'j. Clay Hamilton. St. Clair, Mo., Jan. 14. Now is the time when croup and lung troubl.-s prove ntoidly fatal. '1 he only harmless remedy that produces immediate results is One Miuute Cough Cure. It is very pleasant to take and can bfc relied upon, to quickly cure cough, colds and all lung diseases. It will prevent consumption, li. Moutier. Notice. The local fi eight train due to leave Uaiou 1:30 p, m. daily except Sunday will carry passengers between stations. Cut this out and take it to yonr druggist and get a free simple of Chamberlain's Stomach aud Liver Tanlets, the best physic. They also cure disorders of the stomach, biliousness andbead-ache. Cedar Fork Cogfiiizatiotis. F. Kampschmidt is on the sick list. An epidemic of lagrippe is prevalent in this neighborhood. A good many farmers aie butchering porkers this week- II. Kumpschmidt and family are recovering faom the larippi. Adolph Xeely was a welcome caller at Mr. Clemme's Saturday. George Yossbiink and wife vere visiting his father last week. Mr. Malveron, our enterprising nursery agent, was very busy last week. Ye seiibe had a .Sunday aftcrnoou. i' El). pleasant time Tell us about T. S. Underwood made his cus-i imary call at Mr. Tiemann's the uther d ay. Sunday was a very pleasant day and a good many persons attended c.iurch serv ices. Albert H. Siipp, the popular store clerk of Detmold, spent Son-day with home folks. A force of six men passed through here last week repairing the long distance telephone. McCarthy's camp is very busy. Miles 17 and IS will be completed in two or three weeks if the weather is favorable. Mrs. W. Bagby ami son, Irwin of Krakow spent a few days with Mrs. Bagby's father, Mr. Neely. last week. Miss Jennie Neely was also at home. S. T. Vieten says there are too many attractive young ladies in his distiict. He thinks it is much work for a teacher to teach school and at the same time artend every social gathering in the neighborhood.The box-supper at the Rock Ridge school was very well attended. A large sum of money was raised to increase the library. Geo. H. AUersmcyer, the teacher intends to purchase supplemen- j ry readers with the money. A new small-pox case is report ed at Shotwell. The three cases repoited previously are recovered, and one of the tnea who had the disease is waiting on the new patient. Dr. Fitzgerald is taking proper precaution and assures u that there is at present no danger of conragion. Old People Made Young J. C Sherman, the veteran editor of the Yermontville, Mich.. Eebo, has discovered the remarkable secret of keeping old people young. For years he has avoided nervousness, sleeplessness, indiges-tiop, heart trouble, constipation and rheumatism, by using Electric Bitters, and ho writes: "It can't be praised too highly. It gently stimulates the Kidneys, tones the stomach, aids digestion, and Elves a splendid appetite. It his worked wonders for my wife and me. It is a remarkable remedy fur old people's complaints." Only 50 ets. at Mueucn's drug store. Franklin Co. Life Insurance Co. Affaire. The members of the Franklin Co. Liff Insurance Co. held their annual election in St. Claii, Jan. 5, 15)01, and unanimouslyre-elect-the old board, viz: Buren Duck worth, pres.; Geo. L. Cole, vice-pres.; J. H. Bartle, treasurer, and W. H. Thompson, secretary, as board of directors for the ensuing year. A committee was appointed to examine the president's and tieasurer's books, who repotted i l,CJ1"" " . ' , ' T ! uui1 mciuuciuiji v uu compauy's n nances in a condition. Members from Villa Ride and Catawissa were present and several points of the bylaws were discussed. It seems to be the opinion of quire a number of those present that aft-r next April some kind of a medical examination houll be r- quired of those wishing to bec mn menib"r. All f the members present oeeined to be pleased with the workings of the society, believing it to be good, reliable and inexpensive. The company paid two benefits during the year 1900. Oue to parties in Boone twp. aud the others to parties in St. Clair. Made Young Again. One of Dr. King's New Life Tills each nig tit for two weeks bas put me in my teens again, write D. H. Turner of Deiupseytown, Pa." They are the best in the world for liver, stomach and bowels. Purely vegetable, never gripe. Only 23c at Muench's dray ' store. J. G. MOUTHER, -DEALER IN (breneo'al : McircllDaiiiialliie, SOUTH QTlIas constantly on hand a full line of general merchandise, indud ing Dry Goods, Groceries. Hardware, Tinware, juecn.swatv. Boon aud Shoes, etc. Goods delivered free auywhero iu Union, Union Tonsorial Parlor II. T. 25EIIlT, Prop. UNION, MISSOURI J.W. HEIN r MERCHANT TAILOK. Has on hand a large assortment of Ready-Made j Clothing Wedding Suits a specialty, j Prices Very Reasonable EDWIN BAUR. A. W. HOFFMAN. BAUR & HOFFHAH GENERAL INSTANCE. FIRE, LIGHTNING, TORNADO AND LIFE. This firm has the general agency for the UNION MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO. ofPoitUnd. Maine (incorporated 1848). All policies issned by this company are pro tected by the popular Maine non-forfeiture law. JCS. r. KAHMABN. KAHLIANN & PUES, Insurance, - Real - Estate AND COLLECTION AGENCY. "Wa-Hliinprtoru U I I O IV Marble Works Established in 1856 and has been continuously in one family ever since. AUG. BAUR, Prop. IPatiromiDze HHnime TPiradlle SMOKE fltlf'' 11 ft -EQUAXi WM. PETERSON CENTRAL FED ALE COLLEGE I ovlntrtnn Tin Leadiii Ladies' Collem or the wet. Modern EjiihtmeoU. sVeXingXOflt iIU. Literary. Mnsic. Art, lKutiou. I. W. WlUJAMS.A.ftwIessI POST OFFICE NEWS STAND. LATEST NUMBERS OF ALL LEADING MAGAZINES ON SALE. SUBSCRIPTIONS TAKEN FOR ALL PERIODICALS PUBLISHED. CTQUICK SERVICE. UXION, MO, ik Attraction IS IX THE QUA LIT V. The magnet of moderate prices and the quality of the steel draw the appioval of all who know teal value of good tools. If you're buying for short use don't mind quality but if you want them to last come and seethe "True Bine" goods. OSCAR BTJSCH, UNION, : MISSIOUUI. FOR A FASHIONABLE HAIR CUT UR A CLEAN SHAVE GIVE US A CALL EVERYTHING NEW AND CLEAN. LADIES' AND CHILDREN'S HAIR CUTTING A SPECIALTY. LOUIS F. rUES. Missouri . ED. EJUBICH'S HDirmig : Sttwe (eras la stock a fall line of Drugs, Oils. Patent Medicines, Ac. Prescriptions carefully compounded. TO A7 Manufacturer, WASHINGTON, MO.