Lectures of Col. R. G. Ingersoll - Latest — John Shaqi
Lectures of Col. R. G. Ingersoll - LatestIngersoll, Robert Green
Religion
Lectures of Col. R. G. Ingersoll - Latest
Ingersoll, Robert Green
Free thought
"We have just returned from Boston. One object of our visit to that
city was to see Mr. Amasa Woodsworth, an engineer, now retired in a
handsome cottage and garden at East Cambridge, Boston. This gentleman
owned the house occupied by Paine at his death, while he lived next
door. As an act of kindness, Mr. Woodsworth visited Mr. Paine every
day for six weeks before his death. He frequently sat up with him and
did so on the last two nights of his life. He was always there with
Dr. Manly, the physician, and assisted in removing Mr. Paine while his
bed was prepared. He was present when Dr. Manly asked Mr. Paine if he
wished to believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. He said that
lying on his back he used some action and with much emphasis replied:
'I have no wish to believe on that subject.' He lived some time after
this, but was not known to speak, for he died tranquilly. He accounts
for the insinuating style of Dr. Manly's letter by stating that that
gentleman, just after its publication, joined a church. He informs us
that he has openly proved the doctor for the falsity contained in the
spirit of that letter, boldly declaring before Dr. Manly, who is still
living, that nothing which he saw justified the insinuations. Mr.
Woodsworth assures us that he neither heard nor saw anything to justify
the belief of any mental change in the opinions of Mr. Paine previous
to his death; but that being very ill and in pain, chiefly arising from
the skin being removed in some parts by long lying, he was generally
too uneasy to enjoy conversation on abstract subjects. This, then, is
the best evidence that can be procured on this subject, and we publish
it while the contravening parties are yet alive, and with the authority
of Mr. Woodsworth.--Gilbert Vale"
A few weeks ago I received the following letter, which confirms the
statement of Mr. Vale:
"Near Stockton, Cal., Greenwood Cottage, July 9. 1877.--Col. Ingersoll:
In 1812 I talked with a gentleman in Boston. I have forgotten his
name; but he was then an engineer of the Charleston navy yard. I am
thus particular so that you can find his name on the books. He told me
that he nursed Thomas Paine in his last illness and closed his eyes
when dead. I asked him if he recanted and called upon God to save him.
He replied: No; he died as he had taught. He had a sore upon his
side, and when we turned him it was very painful, and he would cry out,
'O God!' or something like that. 'But,' said the narrator, 'that was
nothing, for he believed in a God.' I told him that I had often heard
it asserted from the pulpit that Mr. Paine had recanted in his last
moment. The gentleman said that it was not true, and he appeared to be
an intelligent, truthful man. With respect, I remain, etc., Philip
Graves, M.D."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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