The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-10-26
CONVERTING INFlDELS.

1t IL surely Not Accomplished by Insult
ing and Avoiding Them.
It is doubtful whether personal argu-
ment makes many converts in politics;
it more often hardens convictions on
both sides 1t usually angers the con-
testants, and confirms them in their
party belief. There are few, compar-
atively, who can talk with SO Just a
sense OF the value of the opposing rea-
sons in so cool a temper, and with so
thorough an understanding of the men
they seek to change as to secure favora-
BILE results. When passion is aroused
in attack or defense logic commonly
fails.
Disputes on religious subjects are apt
to end in the same way. Not many in
tidels or atheists are won by logical
conflicts. Wherever you find them you
find them ready for such conflicts, they
rather court them. They are proud Of
their skill in conducting them; they are
quick to lead off and strike out at the
slightest opportunity. The momentre
ligion is mentioned they become like
"fretful porcupines," anxious to begin
the attack; and too often those who en-
gage them in logical passage-at-arms
come off second best. On this one sub
ject they are keen and well furnished,
and know how to find the weak places
in an opponents argument.
Intidels have in many cases been
forced into this aggressive state by the
attitude of Christian believers The
common idea of an infidel is that he is
kind of monster, either to be severely
avoided, or directly attacked with
whips of scorpions or bludgeons. How
rare it is for conversation to proceed
in the presence of such man without
some allusion to his class, as though he
belonged to species of venomous rep
tiles. This kind of treatment is not
designed to reclaim these religious
outcasts: it is designed rather to embit-
ter their opposition not only to all
forms of religion but to all professors
of religion. 1t prevents all personal
approach; and personal approach is of
the greatest importance in reaching the
unbelieving or disbelieving heart. 1t
is by the spirit and life that the de-
voted Christian can most surely influ-
ence his infdcl neighbor,
A minister happened, in his summer
vacation, to come into contact with an
infidel family, He did not shun them,
or show any consciousness of fear of
| leprous infection. He was his own nat
ural self, associating with them freely
| in the various diversions of summer
clearinghouse, never intruding his
opinions on religious subjects, or di-
rectly or indirectly attacking theirs.
After an association of two weeks, he
had won their personal confidence, and
when he held service in a neighboring
church on Sunday, as many of them as
could go attended and listened intently
to his sermon. He had every reason to
believe that he had made a deep impress
sion upon them, and yet he never had a
word Of argument with them. They
first learned to know and respect him
by personal contact, and out of his
simple, transformations religious life
came an influence more potent than a
whole volume of argument Here was
q minister, they said, who believed
what he said and said only what he be,
lieved, who was broad-minded and
large-hearted, living epistle. They
complained that others misunderstood
and misrepresented them; but they felt
that they could freely trust him. What
the end will be we can not tell; but
certainly a very favorable beginning
has been made, and Gods grace can ac
complish wonders when it operate:
through obediont and intelligent in
struments.
Disbelievers should be approached
sympathetically, not dogmatically o.
potentially. The persuasion of genia
spirit manifested in true, devoted
Christian life, is more powerful thai
two-edged swords of logic, though
welded by the most skillful hands TIL
old fable Of the sun and the wind ha
admirable point in this case. The harde
the wind blew the closer the travele
drew his cloak about him; but whel
the sun beamed upon him in genial
generous warmth he quickly flung hi
cloak aside.-N. Y. Independent.