Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-24
courage may be desirable, but Tolstoi would
say that it did more harm than good.

courage may be desirable, but Tolstoi would
say that it did more harm than good.
Martin Luther Was . Fire-Eatsr.
Another bold man in the pulpit was
Luther, who stirred up all Europe with his
violent controversies and his bitter denun-
Citations of the evils and errors OF the
Church. After he was excommunicated by
the Pope for heresy, he INDUCED in the
6ercest invectives and most violent vituper-
alton against the spiritual powers in his
books, and was "the tongue and sword oil
his time" But great as he was, valiant,
courageous, Jealous, Tolstoi would say to
him that in exciting the evil passions OF
mankind, in promoting bitterness and en-
nifty, in fomenting and furthering the re-
ligious contests which made war throughout
Germany, and for that matter the world
unto this day, he was doing more damage
than good.
How people do let their angry passions
rise in a religious controversy is we'll
known. Men can get madder over justi6ca-
tion by faith, or predestination, or free
grace'than anything else. OWhen they have
got ''sot" in conviction they stick to it,
hang on to it, and fight for it regardless of
logic, argument, or proof piled on proof. 1t
may be that this is justifable as "holy
wrath, but it does just as much damage
and perhaps more-as the more common
sort OF violence. Mr. Tourgee apparently
wants the black brethen to fight for their
ri shts, and desires that the pulpit should
deal out denunciations of all sorts and sizes
upon the Democracy of the South. He
talks as if quite anxious for the strife to be-
gin. 1t seems as if he took no stock what
ever in non-resistance. Tolstoi seems to be
OF the same opinion as the old woman in the
country who leaves everything to the Lord,
and says the 'Lord will ketch UP with the
wicked in his own good time"
Too Much Expected OF Preachers
It is perhaps this philosophy that keeps
the Church deaf and blind to the political
frauds and robberies over which Mr. Tourgee
so emphatically mourna Preachers are but
men, and some of them very childish men
at that In their Presbyteries, and confer
ences and meetings they show the stuff they
are made of, and the temper Of their minds.
Watch a lot of boys fighting over q game
of marbles, and measure of the smallness
and intolerance of many of the "beloved
brethren" can be taken. They have put
away their childish TOYS, but have not
learned to control their childish tempers.
But in these exacting days too much is ex-
pected of them. Brother Tourgee warts
them to ''go for" political robbers. What
sort of life would they have it they did?
Other men banker for them to hold up to
the public the sins of the monopolists and
the men who grow rich by legal robbery.
Think of what rumpus it would raise if
the clergy attacked the big sinners from
the pulpit, as some people so ardently de-
sire. Imagine Brother Paxton in his capac-
ity as public teacher pouring out denun-
Citations upon the gamblers of Wall street,
and refusing to accept his rich parishioner's
(Jay Gould's) contribution of $25, 900 until
jay had proven that every dollar was hon.
estly come by. Fancy the pastor of Rookie
ieller's church-in face of his liberal contri
buttons to religious purposes-dilating pub
licly on how much easier it will be for a
camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for him to enter the kingdom of
heaven. Imagine the ministers who are
hired to take charge of the spiritual con-
Germs of "the 400" dinning into their ears
walton they must sell all that they have and
give to the poor. Every man knows he is
right in accumulating money to keep the
wolf from the door and to give his family
the pleasures and comforts of life. Would
it abolish poverty if the Astors, Wander
bilts and others with mighty wealth should
sell all they have and give to the poor?
After tho Manner Of Parkhurst.
No minister. however eloquent, power
full or Jealous, would be tolerated if he
should preach as Tourgee and other enthu-
siasts desire and require. They would, to
use Shakespearean expression, be fired"
very swiftly. As the texts have it they
would "be in derision daily" their "pleas-
ant portion would be made desolate will
derness, their enemies would mock at and
laugh them to scorn, and they would have
"tears to drink in great measure" Con-
sidering all this, do they not do more
wisely to leave the sinners to the Lord, as
did Jeremiah. whose soul was comforted by
the assurance that the people of whom he
complained should be ''fed with wormwood
and be given water of gall to drink, and
that the sword should be sent after them,
and that evil should come upon them from
which they could not escape"
For their own well-being and comfort and
that of their families, ministers cannot well
afford to play the martyr, or do the John
Huss act, even in these more tolerant days
DR.. Swing was swung out of the Presby-
terian Church for uttering something not in
accordance with the Westminster Confes-
sion. Brother Briggs is being followed up
as hereto BY his brethren in the Church as
vindictively as if he had committed some Of
the deadly sins, because he ventured to en-
tertain some opinions that were not con-
sistent with those held by the Holy Fathers
centuries ago. DR.. Patton, who leads ths
hosts of his enemies, is dead set upon depos-
ing and dsgracing him if possible. If
Brother Patton were possessed of the spirit
of sixteenth century berry hunter he
could hardly show more active zeal in
those who presume to doubt the
doctrines of predestination and infant
damnation. Brother Bausman's little scrap
of hope that the heather might have some
small chance for salvation in the world to
come was seized upon as heresy by his
enemies, who never rested until they had
coerced the Presbytery into giving him the
'sgrand bounce" BESSIE BRAMBLE