Epitaph to Live by

          G. P. Spencer of Lyndonville, Vermont, died in 1908 at age 83.  He was a stone-cutter by trade.  This is a portion of his epitaph which he inscribed on his vainglorious tomb located in Lyndon Center, Vt:

Beyond the universe there is nothing and within the universe the supernatural does not and cannot exist.  Of all deceivers who have plagued mankind, none are so deeply ruinous to human happiness as those impostors who pretend to lead by a light above nature.  Science has never killed or persecuted a single person for doubting or denying its teachings, and most of these teachings have been true; but religion has murdered millions for doubting or denying her dogmas, and most of these dogmas have been false.

          I thank Davecat for stumbling upon Futility Closet, recognizing how 'far up my alley' the site was and steering me in its direction, and Greg Ross (at Futility Closet) for collecting ephemera for everyone's perusal.