ray and I swear, but as a matter of fact neither of us means
anything by it." As to the charge that I am in the habit of using
indecent language in my family, no reply is needed. I am willing
to leave that question to the people who know us both. Mr. Crafts
says he was told this by a lady. This cannot by any possibility
be true, for no lady will tell a falsehood. Besides, if this woman
of whom he speaks was a lady, how did she happen to stay where
obscene language was being used? No lady ever told Mr. Crafts any
such thing. It may be that a lady did tell him that I used profane
language. I admit that I have not always spoken of the Devil in
a respectful way; that I have sometimes referred to his residence
when it was not a necessary part of the conversation, and that a
divers times I have used a good deal of the terminology of the
theologian when the exact words of the scientist might have done
as well. But if by swearing is meant the use of God's name in
vain, there are very few preachers who do not swear more than I
do, if by "in vain" is meant without any practical result. I leave
Mr. Crafts to cultivate the acquaintance of the unknown lady,
knowing as I do, that after they have talked this matter over again
they will find that both have been mistaken.

I sincerely regret that clergymen who really believe that an infinite
God is on their side think it necessary to resort to such things
to defeat one man. According to their idea, God is against me,
and they ought to have confidence in this infinite wisdom and
strength to suppose that he could dispose of one man, even if they
failed to say a word against me. Had you not asked me I should
have said nothing to you on these topics. Such charges cannot hurt
me. I do not believe it possible for such men to injure me. No
one believes what they say, and the testimony of such clergymen
against an Infidel is no longer considered of value. I believe it
was Goethe who said, "I always know that I am traveling when I hear
the dogs bark."

_Question_. Are you going to make a formal reply to their sermons?

_Answer_. Not unless something better is done than has been. Of
course, I don't know what another Sabbath may bring forth. I am
waiting. But of one thing I feel perfectly assured; that no man
in the United States, or in the world, can account for the fact,
if we are to be saved only by faith in Christ, that Matthew forgot
it, that Luke said nothing about i