The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-01-17

Tho city pastors held their usual
weekly conference yesterday NOR ming
in the Y. NJ G. A. hall. Rev S. G..
Ferguson presided. The meeting was
opened with prayer by Rev. IL. c. Gar.
rison. The pastors present wero Rows.
Flippo, Hammer, Garrison, Groves, An
derson, Miller, Moomaw, Ferguson,
Collins, Reiter. Cox and Rice The usual
discussion OF tho Sunday services were
dispensed with, and the question dis
cussed as to the ACCESSIBILITY of having a
congress Of religion at the Worlds
Fair. The opinions of tho pastors
varied somewhat, though a majority
were not in favor of tho scheme.
Rev. DR.. Hammer opposed the plan for
these reasons:
First. 1t is contrary to tho spirit and
methods Of Christ. He left the trade,
and prescribed tho methods of propaga-
ton. This congress is not in keeping
with tho spirit, or in accordance with
the methods.
Second. We do for other religions
that which they do not do for them
selves. We aid and abet in spreading
their errors. Christianity alone is
aggressive. 1t is missionary. Now, in
this congress 1t is proposed to invite
these errors to our shores and publish
them to the world. We had bette send
moro missionaries to theirs.
Third. We can gain more by pointing
to tho magnificent Civilizations of tho
earth wrought out by tho cross.
Fourth. Jesus Christ never entered
such q congress- What has been done
in His name has be en- done without such
a congress.
Fifth. 1t is foolish tempting OF
God. The Devil induced the Master to
test God by throwing himself down from
high steeple. Tho Master said thou
shalt not tempt God.
Rev. d c. Moomaw said: 81 don't
really know what side'I am on. Some
times am in favor of the parliament
and sometimes l am not l believe
though 1 favor it for this reason. If
Christianity prevails we cannot avoid
contact with these people and wo may
as well meet them in Chicago as any
whore else. l maintain that we have
nothing to loose and much to gain l
think wa ought to praise God for the
opportunity OF having 4 CHARGE to meet
these people. Let the scoffers and
infidels laugh. Christianity will pre-
dominate over everything else. Let us
have tho conference OF religion and let
tho Roanoke pastors favor it,"
Rev. S. l.. Rice: 81 have always
been oppose to entering INFO debate
with anything that opposes religi IN
The religion of God will fight it's own
battles. There are thousands of people
who are waiting for an opportunity to
find something that will give them /.
slight reason for opposing religion"
Rev. 5. q. Fnrguson: Now if we
want these heathens to hear the re-
ii zion of sod preached lee them come,
and bclitvo it would do good, bu, for
them &c enter into 4 discussion l be-
licve would result in barn. Tho inf
del papers will mas nifty these state
ments and much harm will be done"
Rev. DIR. Anderson: IF this parlia-
mont of religion was hold in g heathcn
land l would heartily indorse it. The
VOID Of God will be preached here in
our Christian land, and l can't see tho
good to DO derived from having idolators
come here and expound their religion.
where Gcd sanctions the heather to
como in the midst of Christianity and
preach bis re igion."
Rev. DR.. Collirs: ''Wo can't gain
anything by contending with these
people. They are pre- AIRED to meet us,
ana they will only develop what is
calcu'a d TO hurt us. The infidels will
take advantage of this thing, and we
are not prepared 10 meet the m. Tho
representatives. of Dewspap. RS will be
there, and they will not only report
what is good. but what is bad also"
Rev. Lewis Reiter: Il apprehend no
harm from his parliament of religion.
There is truth in all the religions OF the
world, but there is greater truth in the
Christian religion, and can't see any
harm in this parliament, but II 1T is dis
cusscd outside by the pastors l balieye
harm will result in IT,
DR. w C. Campbell: 81 can'tsav that
have been favorably Impressed with
the idsa. When we have tho truth we
do net tolerate error. It .eems to me
that this parliament of religion will
propagate error in our religion and am
oppos; TO it,"
Dr. 0 Il. Fiippc: 81 have never favored
it from tho beginning. In the first place
these jdolaters do not come to us as in
qulrers but as competitors on level
Wiih us. Chen tho infidols say they
will show religion up ana l do not
think we can afford to meet idolatry
and infideity at the same time
Rev. DR.. Cox: 81 confess l can't see
che object in this parliamen OF religion.
These men will be brainy and smart
who come here to expolnd their relig.
ious doctrine and can't SEQ for nv life
what the Christian peoplo may hope 10
gain from these people who represent
these false religions. They will mag
nifty their own faith and underrate ours.
aud l can see no good that can como
OF it."
Rev. w. III. Goves. Tho moro think
on the subject the more | am opposed 20
1t. The Bible commands uq to separate
ourselves from idOlatrv II would da.