White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1869-06-24

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the rapid and gratifying progress that
had been made by the Church. within .
few years past. This has stirred mp the
editor Of the Medina New Era. who says
he is not opposed to secret socisties. and
then wsdes into them with . vim. The
principal object of this man seems to Be
to get N opportunity to inform the pub
lie that be is q United Brethren preacher
which fact we will try to bear in mind
hereafter. He sets ont viii q gross vio-
lation of common editorial courtesy, by
by making the matter personal, and tell
ing what "Sol. Miller" s,ys. We shall
refer to him as the Medina New Era. or
as the editor Of the En-. He writes bis
name s. Weaver. 1t may bs Shifiless.
for anght We know; but ss he PROCESSES
q desire to discuss matters in fair and
courteous manner. We shall not allude to
him as "Shift. Weaver"
he sneers at orr high theological at
tsinments. In the article in question,
we did not discuss or touch upon the
question Of theology. Neither did we
s.y that those who opposed secret socie-
ties. did so on account Of their ignorance.
We said it was either through ignorance.
bigotry. or prrjudice-and we say so
still. Bat the editor Of the Era. being
q preacher, seems to be one of the sort.
once so plentiful. and not yet extinct.
who presume upon the privileges of their
calling, and come down on opponents
rough-shod, endeavoring to snnibilate
them with ruff anisn of the Jaw. The
day for that is past. A preacher now
stands upon his merits. the same as other
trades. Ifs preacher is sgood man. en-
deayoring to do his duty faithfully. and
conducting himself IS Christian ought.
We respect him. II he is . losfer. q
humbug. or q hypocri.e, we believe in
saying so. Because q man is too lazy to
work. and too ignorant to know that be
is not fit to preach, his simple assertion
that he has a call from the Lord to abuse
people under the pretence of preaching
the gospel. doesn't amount to as much Is
an ounce Of sugar in barrel Of ounces.
This church war upon secret societies,
is one Of the efforts Of priestcraft to re-
tain complete control oftbe masses. One
OF the bitter opponents Of secret societies
in the United Brethren Conference OF
ls49. and big gun on the occasion.
used the kneck-down argument, that his
sons might join the Masons. and when
they came home, and he asked them what
they had been doing. they could not tell
him. There, they had. been shut up in
secret, and were not allowed to tell their
daddy what they had been doingl So
with the priests. They are the keepers
oftho consciences of their Aocks; they man.
age to keep the run of all their family
secrets, and will not tolerate an organ;z.-
lion that prohibits them from nosing cut
its secrets. This is the animus of the
stubborn fight in some of the churches
against lay representation. We believe
tho United Brethren Conference put its
veto upon lay represent alton. as well as
upon secret societies. The preachers see
that If they wish to retain their ascend.
ancy over the massss, they must them
selves make the laws; that as soon as the
common people are represented. they will
make themselves felt, and down goes
spiritual tyranny. Whenever the people
,f the United Brethren Church obtain 0
voice in their Conferences. the rule
against secret societies is doomed.
The New Era cites President Finney.
President Blanchard. and Henry Ward
Beecher. as bright examples who have
pronounced against secret societies. 1t
nay as we'll have left Henry Ward
3eecher ont. While possessing brilliant
slents. he is nothing but political and
eligious demagosue, who influences
bout as many persons Hesvenward as
he clownisb performances of Dan Rice.
Ir. Flnney and Mr.. Blanchard are no
oubt wise and good men, and their
pinion is entitled to respect; but not to
nors respect than the opinions Of thou.
and ministers just as good and wise.
rho belong to secret societies. and meet
D secret with them every week. Those
ecret societies do not profess to have ,
urely religions objects in view. and Z
here is not ono of them that opposes re- {
gion, as an order. or SLOWS it to be I
one in the Lodge Room. They meet {
" specific objects. OF . perfectly legiti. 4
late and moral nature, although irrelig. Il
'us men and unbelievers msy belong to &
lem. Itis simply an insult to the thou q
'nds of ministers and other persons, d
nown to be upright snd Christian men. I
} intimate that they meet in secret for q
licked or unlawful purposes. simply be. a
.use their meetings are not for religious b
orsbip, or because, for their more b
,rfect organization. they have certain 7