The Atheist Silenced

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 26, 1857

The Atheist Silenced.

SOME years ago, the Rev. Isaac Guseman made a trip to Iowa. On board the steamer in which he took passage there was a gentleman who took great pains to make known that he was opposed to Christianity, and all forms of religion.

He spent most of the day in arguing with those who would dispute with him, and in pouring forth anathemas against priestcraft and the credulity of mankind. He denounced Christ as an impostor, religion as a delusion, any particular form of worship or creed as the result or trammels of education, and that it was only tolerated by statesmen for the security of government and the benefit of the weak and erring. He was evidently a man of education and ability. His repartee, drollery, sarcasm, and a faculty for turning things into the ridiculous, bore down so heavily upon those with whom he argued, that they were generally silenced, though not convinced.

One day he was in high glee, and kept a crowd of passengers in a continual roar of laughter at his irreligious jokes and witticisms. On this occasion Mr. Guseman, who had hitherto refrained from entering into any dispute or controversy with him, determined to try and silence him or turn the laugh against him. He accordingly moved slowly towards the crowd the skeptic was amusing. On his approaching, the other observed:

"Well, old gentleman, I am a free thinker, what is your notion about religion?"

"Why, sir, I have always been taught to believe in the truth of the Christian religion; and have never once had a doubt of the existence of a supreme and intelligent Cause. But in turn, let me ask you a question."

"Do you deny the existence of a God?"

"Most assuredly I do."

"Then, sir, I have heard of you before."

"Heard of me before!"

"Yes, sir, I have read about you."

"Read about me! I was not aware that I was published. Pray, where?"

"In the Psalms of David, sir, where it reads, The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God."

At this unlooked-for turn in the argument, there was one general burst of laughter and hurra, at the expense of the atheist, who, confounded, and being unable to rally at being thus unexpectedly proved a fool, moved away to another part of the boat. During the remainder of the voyage the wiseacre was silent on religious subjects; but occasionally some of the passengers would tease him by slyly observing "I have heard of you before."—N. O. Picayune.