Works of Robert Ingersoll

Recently, I requested the "Works of Robert Ingersoll" from the Houston Public Library's online catalog. Within a couple of days, my online account told me to "Check Shelf." So, I went to the library to check the normal shelf where they place books that have been requested. Nada.

I went to the Customer Service Desk to inquire about it, and the lady says, "Oh, the works of Robert Ingersoll. Lovely! Those are in the 'Stacks,' the special collection of really old or out-of-print books. I'll have them placed on the regular check-out shelf for you." Ok, no problem.

I went back to the library the next day, and lo and behold, there were TWELVE volumes of the "Works of Robert Ingersoll" waiting for me. Even if I extended my check-out from the initial two weeks to the maximum-allowed six weeks, there is no way I could read all twelve volumes in that time, especially considering that each volume was over 200 pages. I do, after all, have a job and a life that I need to tend to, occasionally.

So I just checked out the first four volumes and gave back the other eight. Within the first few moments of opening the books at home, both the wife and I were in ecstasy. Ingersoll's writing is beautiful and concise. It is an absolute pleasure to read these books. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

It is not all that surprising to me that Ingersoll has been de-emphasized in this American culture, wedded as we are to the absurd ideas of Christianity. Here is Ingersoll's creed:

To love justice, to long for the right, to love mercy, to pity the suffering, to assist the weak, to forget wrongs and remember benefits -- to love the truth, to be sincere, to utter honest words, to love liberty, to wage relentless war against slavery in all its forms, to love wife and child and friend, to make a happy home, to love the beautiful in art, in nature, to cultivate the mind, to be familiar with the mighty thoughts that genius has expressed, the noble deeds of all the world, to cultivate courage and cheerfulness, to make others happy, to fill life with the splendor of generous acts, the warmth of loving words, to discard error, to destroy prejudice, to receive new truths with gladness, to cultivate hope, to see the calm beyond the storm, the dawn beyond the night, to do the best that can be done and then to be resigned -- this is the religion of reason, the creed of science. This satisfies the heart and brain.

A couple of links here and here to the works of Robert Ingersoll. Go. Indulge.