Irvin S. Cobb’s Exit Laughing

“… I find solace in the Twenty-third Psalm, for therein is a lovely promise and promises are rarer than threats in Holy Writ. And in it is no smell of death or of earthly decay or corruption. It makes my soul to lie down in green pastures beside the still waters, and take stock of itself.

“I read the Gospels and then I know why when men go to war they pray not to That Man… Reading after the evangels, I see a picture of the only world conqueror who came with clean hands — and these same hands which the soldiers pierced with their iron spikes as they nailed the Nazarene to the tree. …

“So much for so much. Speaking as an innocent bystander (in respect to religious controversy — ed), who, without prejudice views this ageless controversy from the sidelines, I nevertheless and most reverently submit this — and this for my spiritual purposes is amply sufficient — that if humility and humanity and utter lack of snobbishness; if thoughtful consideration for fellow beings and compassion for their weaknesses and forgiveness of their transgressions; if graciousness and gentleness, charitableness, dignity and courage, simplicity and a regard for duty be the marks — and they are — then Jesus Christ was the first great gentleman of recorded history and the greatest gentleman that ever, in any age, walked upon this earth. And if that be blasphemy, I’m proud of it.”