The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-10

because of largo and varied collection OF
educational institutions. A stranger, who
was being shown the sights Of tho city by
the Brazos, once said; "rhe name is ap.
propriate. Waco is indeed another Ath-
ems, for she has temple to the unknown
Cod
Here are Baylor University, OF which
the Baptists are so proud; the Methodist
Female College; the Academy OF the Sa.
cred Heart, and Paul Quin College, under
the auspices of the African Methodists.
Here are churches Of dozen donomina-
tons two German, n scandinavian,
Presbyterian, Cumberland Presbyterian,
three Southern and one Northern Metho.
dist, Catholic, an Episcopal, three Bnp-
list and four colored churches And here,
more remarkable than all, IL church
without a creed, preacher without
faith, and worshipcrs without God.
There are unbelieveB in every COM
munity But where else is there an organ.
iza,ion OF avowod inildels with charter,
incorporated under tho State laws, with Il
structure upon the pattern Of a church
and with leader who sustains Il relation
ship to the flock approaching that OF a
pastor? Certainly there is nothing like
this elsewhere in Texas, and II IL doubt
full il just such society and building can
be found in any other State.
In it's charter, taken out in 1882 this
" known as the Religious and Bonev-
olcnt Association. The objects are
declared 10 be ethical culture and the
dissemination OF free thought" There
nrc about $50 people identified with the
society. "Tho temple 10 the unknown
God, as II is sometimes called, or Liberal
Hall, rs IL is moro properly known, is a
large, well built structure, centrally stu
atcd. II was planned and built by this
congregation OF inhdcls. The exterior is
plain, and ut n glance passes for % church.
The interior il neatly aud comfortably
furnished. There IL no altar rail, no
bap,ismal font no pulpit, But there is a
raised platform and a reading desk. The
auditorium will scat comfortably 800 pco-
pie.
The man at the head Of this society IL
James u. shaw, who was for some ycars a
prominent divine In tho Methodist
Church. He still dresses in black, and
many people call him DR. Shaw, although
the D.D. was dropped by him good
while ago "a man Of intense thought
u the involuntary comment ON first sight.
His earnest, piercing black eyes are set
deeply. The brow Is iurrowed as II by
much puzzling over hard problems The
face is cmincntly intellectual; there IL
nothing heavy or gross about his person
or manner. Mr. Shaw Ia no hesitation
In talking Of the peculiar organization
over which ho prcsidcs lie has an easy,
pleasant manner, aud evidently takes
much the same earnest interest in his
work that hc did when hc was In regular
standing as an orthodox minister.
1--WE are simply non-crccdal, he said
in reply 30 an inquiry for information
about the society. Ethical culture Il
our aim. We are endeayoring 20 cstab-
lsh a system OF ethical culture basod upon
the common sense vi the race. We de-
vote our efforts to intoxicating truth, hon
csiy. bcnoyolonco aud purity-purity
without any regard to divine authority or
future rewards or punishment. We leave
our people fire.. We don't dictate 90 ITEM
IN hyid We have NO means II surveying
or determining. We don't require our
people to say they believe or don't be-
licyc anything. Our congregation Is
wholly independent When man
speaks lac Is expected to speak his own
thou shts, no matter whether We believe
the same or not We arr TO, connected
with any other congregation In the world.
We have NO test At membership
Io the suggestion that there must be-
some principles In common to hold the
congregation together, Mr.. shaw replied
that the only thing that could be- sb Goa.
4 ~ al
demands OF Liberalism" These demands
arr nine Ia number They arr In the
nature OF platform rather than q creed
They form the ground upon which the
Liberals stand together. They are M fol-
love-:
l. We demand that churches and other
ecclesiastical property shall no lougcr be-
exempt irum just taxation
.. We demand that the employment Of
cha rlains In Congpss. In State l.cgisla.
tufvs, In the navy aud militia. aud IN pris.
ons. nlylums, aud al Other institution.
supported 10y public money, shall bc dis.
continued.
q We demand that OH the public np
preparations iur educational and chartlhl,
institutions Of sycta-ian character shall
CyaHU.
: We demand tina, al religious service.
now sustained hy the Government shall be-
abolished. and especially that the usr o
the l'.hlc To- the public schools. whether
oslru.ih'y ug text book ur HyuWpiiy 10.
n"1E of religious wurhIp, shall bc pro
mMiul
d. We demand u,ai the appointment b,
tn lr.siigutui thp United States. of n,
Tie 1uNcrnur ol the various States ui ii
religious festivals and iasis shall who'll,
cease.
e. We demand that lhr julirii, ual, II
The courts and n aIl other departments 20
The Government shall o. abolished. an,
thni simple Affirmation under the pain
and penalties Of perjury shall b. Csiah
.ifh,l boo h. stead.
Z We demand chat all Laws. directly ID
indirectly enforcing thc Observance 70
Sunday as ihr sabbath. fhlll hr repealed
= We demand t.at 100 laws hooking O,
The enforcement Ui Christian" morality
o. such shall hD almFai,l. and that al
lawH shall be- run.uuupd tu ihp f,qu.us
mcnts 81 natural morality, equal rights sn.
impartial liberty.
o. We demand that not only I'M the Con
situations Of the United States anu ni ib,
several states, bat also iu lho practical MI
minisuaiion Of thc same. uo privilege %
advantage shall be- conceded t0 Christian
lily ur any other special religion. that uu
entire political system rhall bu Founded
nnd administered on purely secular hlsi.
aud that whatever changes shall pu,
necessary TO this end shall be- consistent,
ulilinchingly and.promptly made.
We do not consider ourselves
church, continued Mr. Shaw when h
had gone over 'tlc Demands" I've wor
under a charter, the terms Of which ~
n------ on. q. 10. ~ - H.