St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-15

almost wholly upon his conscience to decide
forhim whether he had done right or wrong
in any action. He did not apply this to mat
tiers which the Bible declared to be wrong in
or which were recognized as
wrong by common consent-but to Indifferent
matters outside OF the really fragrant and
pronounced SINS In these Indifferent mat
tiers, be said, Christian could rely upon his
own conscience to decide the right or wrong
OF ii, and God would not censure him. In re-
gard to dancing, wine drinking and music in
churches, he commended that they were not
wrong in themselves, and that instances
were numerous in the Bible where they were
and not censured by Christ or the
church These things were wrong in them
selves only when carried to excess or so sur
rounded by worldly influences as to make
them liable TO adverse criticism.
~
Dancing in public, until a late hour at
night, was case in point. II was not right.
But-though the doctor did not say so in so
many words-a nice quiet private dancing
party. concluded ut seasonable hour. could
not be objected to. Wine drinking could be
carried to excess and made sin, but in itself
there was no harm. There were Christians,
however, who believed both were a sin, and
others who believed they were not. There
was an honest difference of opinion. In all
such cases the only safe guide was ones con-
science. God would accept the dictates OF
conscience in deciding these questions of
right or wrong. The mothers in India who
threw their children into the Ganges would
not be punished because their conscienceS
told them it was their duty to do this. So in
these days liberty of conscience in religious
matters was part of religion to decide many
questions that came up on which there was a
wide difference of opinion.
~
But he went on to say that liberty was in
danger of becoming license, and this would
he wrong. To checkmate this tendency two
things were necessary-charity and sacrifice.
If, in exercising liberty of conscience. one
should do that which would offend: should
create dissension and bitter feeling, and
adverse comment, charity should be prac-
ticed, and the offending action should not be
repeated or persisted in. 1t might be neces-
sary to go farther and make sacrifices,
giving up certain things that it was not
pleasant to do. He pointed to the large
cross which stood back of him in the rear
part of the chancel. and said that at one time
the Episcopal service because it was a re-
minder of CathoIi ISM. But this opposition
was not now apparent. Still, if it was neces-
sary to remove any element of discord, or
that which was offensive. anything in the
ri tual would be given up. But liberty Of
Gems cience was the prime factor in a
Christians life to decide indifferent ques-
tons, with charity and sacrifice as checking
forces.
A cynic, or man who is looking for an
easy way out of the dilemma, would naturally
draw consolation from the doctors discourse.
Who is it that does not tiatter hims ii that be
can get away with his conscience if allowed a
fair chance to argue the case at point? How
many of US there are who have keenly felt
the pangs of remorse over SO me sin we have
committed, and who have been tackled by our
conSciences in a hand-to-hand wrestie. We
all know how it is! Many time we've had
an awfully lively time of it, and old Con-
science has almost winded US before we have
succeeded in throwing him. But we've most
always done it; and, when we've had him
down, with our hand on his throat, we've
argued with him until he has admitted that
we were right and he was wrong. Experience
proves that it can be done. And after man
becomes an expert, his conscience stands no
more show with him in an argument than
would a lawyer from a Wyoming mining
camp in a bout with Roscoe Conkling.
~
If you really want to sEeak out of it you
never have any trouble in bringing conscience
over to your side. There is no piece Of India
rubber manufactured that can rival in elias
ITCHY a mans conscience; and if this is to be
made a test of mans Christianit. the easy
going fellows who delight to be Christians, it
it doesn't involve any special Inconvenience,
will smile clear around to the back of their
necks And certain class of church MEM
bers-if their actions should offend, and if
they were spoken to about it-would forget
all about charity and sacrifice. They would
simply he careful to avoid all publicity and
thus give cause for criticism, and then their
consciences would be lulled into a serene
Sleep OF course it is very clear that these
deductions can be drawn only by that class of
church members who are looking for the
easiest way to be a Christian. They will be
apt to distort the doctors real meaning and
make his discourse an excuse for occasion
ally lodging when they do not feel exactly
like facing the music. There is no better
avenue of escape for people who want to act
like this than by the liberty-of-conscience
route. Many of them will thank DR.. Thomas
for bringing the matter so clearly to their
attention.
If YOU want any passes for the Boston
Ideals engagement, all you have TO do is to
get confidential with Advance Agent john
stone, and then say you heard the new tenor
in Chicago, and you really think he is the best
tie world ever produced. When Mr. Foster
arrives he will be astonished to find so many
masses out, and of course he will demand an
explanation. The scheme has been extern
svely worked on Mr.. Jolnstone, and at last
accounts he hadn't caught on
-
IT turns out that Dave Sutton did not get
away with some tf tne ducats Of Joe Pulitzer
in New York. This changes it so far but it
doesn't alter the fact that Sutton is small
man in very big hole.
#x%
Harriet Hosmer, the sculptress, Is said to
have faith in Keeley, the motor man. This
confidence was acquired, it is said, after
KeeIe, had given her an order for a statue of
the motor, done in Italian marble, to cost
S30,00O.
So
The original letter of Benedict Arnold,
written i'll viudication of his perfdy and
treason, is said 10 have been found in an old
loft in New York. 1t has leaked out that the
Republican state central committee of Mime
sofa has made application for duplicate
copies which are to be quietly mailed to
Charlie Gilman and Kuute Nelson, so as to
reach them on the 18th of February.
80
A Detroit dispatch says Senator Jones
hasn't lad a crop OF liquor for six months,
aud has st all taste for 1t. The young lady
in the case, however, has renewed assurances
of the fact that he hasn't ceased to liquor.
~
Des Moines, Ia, wants to borrow S225.OO0.
We'll. wnat she making such fuss about it
fory Why don't she send US a note properly