TO GEORGE VIDAL.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3224, 19 June 1879, Page 3

TO GEORGE VIDAL.

(Per favor of the E<3»to- of the Evening Star.)

Sib,—You bave in your letter yesterday requested me to give you a correct definition of the word blaspliemy. This I willingly do, and hope you wi.jl be satisfied with it, and profit by it. It is from the dictionary of Charletf Richardson, L.L.D. The author is a thorough scholar, and his work, a very bulky octavo volume, has a peculiarity about it that I have ■■ not seen in any other* work of the kind. The words are arranged in families— thus: " BxiAsPHEME-er-ing-y-ous-ously-The definition is as follows :■—

,To attack, assail, insult: (the name, the aiiHbiCss, .the ordinances, ,tbe revelations, the will or government of God." Now, Holy Scripture bears out this definition;:in every particular, which I could soon prove if I thought it would do you any good, but I fear that your are too far. gone in scepticism for that;" Your lastleWer proves it is so; but that you may see your- true: condition, I will give you Roget's .definition* of the word:—--ißßEiiiaious, fcepiicdl, unbelieving, free- \ ihinUva, jocredr'ous, unconver'ed, faithless, deistical,unchrlstia:i,worldly-miaded, ffit?,Tdane, csrnal. Nov, you can compare with!', this definition -—. it is I ihprouighlj scriptut'al—:andthen you may,' perltaps, see faat you^ condition and it quiie agree. -As a last word to yourself arid Mr Horc, I wish to say that I am often--tpiitaken as'bitter,, in my writings, wben' it should' be^iin^stood as simply zefl tid earnestness;^r the honor and g'oi^y of iiiy Lord and God. When He'i tatie a, whip of tphsll cords and drove out this traders from His Father's house, overturning .the tables of the money changers, and of them that sold doves in it, it was in His zeal for the honor and glory of His Father, and not in any bit* terness; and now, when He is coming again with a whip of scorpions to clear the earth of all' those who drag that honor and glory into tlie mire of their owa scepticism, it will not be in bitterness or revenue on any, but that His Father's and ] His ovm glory may be mrde manifest in all the earth. I have not the least ill will towards either of you, neither towards any m»i living. I would divide my last biscuit rith you, but witU your doubting or scepticism I have no sympathy whatever^ and never can have, for it leads to Atheism. William Wood.

P.S. —If either of you gentlemen wish to sec the declension and infidelity of the day well brought out and considered, get the Rock for March tho 7th of this year.