The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-19
VIEWS ON THE A. 2. A.
Ministers of the City Give Their
Opinion Of the Society.
Little Sympathy with the Organization,
Although the Catholic Chureh's En-
crOachment Is Not Approved.

R
throughout the country recently on account
of the American Protective Associations
activity has attracted much more attention
TO that secret organization than would have
otherwise befallen 1t. The strength OF
the organization in this city and State Is
not known, although the usual magniied re-
ports Of its strength have been given ciTcula-
ton. There are a number of the lodges in
Indianapolis. Ministers I'm many cities OF
the country have given expressions of
opinion on the purposes and principles OF
the organization, and the views of a num-
Der Of Indianapolis divines on the A. Z. a.
are of considerable interest. These minis
ters whom a reporter for the Journal Wis
tied, and they are selected at random, had
no hesitancy in giving their views. They
are presented below:
Rev. CT. A. Christensen, of st. PauPs
Church. preached a sermon a few weeks
ago which created considerable talk at the
time. 1t was in reference to the A. p. A,
and he took the position that too many
falsehoods were told about the Roman
Catholic Church, and for making the state
ment that members of the A. p. A. had
stored arms In churches he was assailed.
Since that time Mr.. Christensen has found
that a member of the A. p. a. in Toledo,
- NAAN "a NAAC OA6aAiAHdNAcAAf mo NiAiAANtt
that arms have been placed in some of the
churches in that city. In the last few
weeks Mr.. Christensen has had a conversa-
ton with Rev. Washington Gladden., of the
First Congregational Church of Columbus,
o., who was even more pronounced in his
exceptions to the A. +. A., and even went
so far as they say that their methods were
malicious, asinine and devilish." Mr..
GLADDEN. has received many anonymous COM
munications, as has Mr.. Christensen, which
have given him a melancholy idea of the
moral and Intellectual status. of the lower
Protestant population in the A. p. A.
Mr.. Christensen has put the let
ters he received in the hands of an attor-
ney. They were not only scurrilous, but
some of them were obscene and unfit for
publication. Should the persons who wrote
some Of them be traced they could be pros
ecuted for violating the postal laws.
Mr.. Christensen goes TO this
State, every Thursday evening, and returns
threatened him with a saEdbagging some of
the evenings when he returns. Another one
said he was In the pay of the Roman Catho-
lie Church. Mr.. Christensen would like to
have q member of the \. Z. a. come for
ward publicly or privately to show him If
he is in the wrong. but Notwithstanding he
has made this statement public no one has
come but a Mr.. Sawyer who had no con-
vincing arguments. Said Mr.. Christensen:
"A man who belongs to any other secret
organization is proud of the fact, and the
names of the officers and members are fire.
quently published, but no such list of the
A. i. a. has ever been published. Their
oath make a religious test, and their oath
not TO vote for or employ a Roman Catholic
II a Protestant can be found to do the work
is unloyal to the Constitution of the United
States. The organization attempts TO de-
prive people of means to earn a living, not
on account of ncompetencv. but on account
OF their faith. DR.. Josiah Strong, author of
the New Era is the only reputable cler-
WTl hoe hnnN NOUN 10 lafan1 tho
A. p, A In the ministers meeting a man
arose and defended his presence by saying
he came to defend the flag. For this re-
mark he was applauded, but when he said
and the Bible there was an ominous ST.
lence. The ministers OF Terre Haute have
uniformly expressed depreciation of the
movement in the same terms, and Rev. Il.
V. Hunter, formerly of this city, who was
at first inclined to favor the movement,
now believes that no godly nan can support
REV. MR.. TAYLOR'S VIEWS.
Rev. w. F. Taylor, of the First Baptist
Church. said that some movement against
the encroachments of the Roman
Catholic Church seemed necessary;
that he did not approve of the A. p. a.
oath, as reported. and considered it I'M
warranted and unwise. "I fear the political
power of the Roman Catholic Church and 1
believe it is a well1grounded fear said he.
I'm New York they have received every
benefit from the city and have even been
given property. Their demands in the Indian
affairs were resisted by General Harrison,
but President Cleveland seems to be
wavering in their favor. l have nothing
against the Roman Catholic Church, but
recognize ii as a moral and often as a spirit
ual power, but men in IL make II political.
1t Is a question with me If the A L. \. is
wise In its methods. II its oath Is correctly
reported no intelligent or brave man will
take part i'm II, and especially that part
which binds the member not to employ a
Roman Gafh0liR II a Protestant can he
found to do the work. l fear the movement
will not succeed. | wish some organization
might resist their political power. The Ro-
man Catholic Church in this country is a
reform church and different from the church
in in n Mexico f6 tb and 6a6 1tsly Of | inf fear the mem a: !. A.
Rev. Thomas 1. Coultas, of Roberts Park
Church said: . some lines l have not
doubt there are grounds for some opposition
to the Roman Catholic Church. 1t is seek
ing to influence public affairs. I indorse the
platform OF the a. +. a., but 1 question the
propriety of a secret organization the pur-
pose of which is antagonistic to a church.
feeling the influence of our institutions. 1
believe and sympathiZe with that for which
ddhe A = "A. contendS' put donDt the Wis
not believe In their methods OF gaining their
object by secret political measures: L am
not be. The Roman Catholic Church seeks
10 interfere with our free institutions, but
/ nm entirely against the secrecy of the y.
=. A. TO prevent it,"
QUESTION FOR AMERICAN PEOPLE.
Rev. ID. r. Van Buskirk. of the Third
Christian Church, said he was in sympathy
with the reasons for the rise of the A. L.
A., in the light of the gradually increasing
encroachments and grasping of political
power by the Roman Catholic Church. II
understand why these A. Z. a. men are So
licitous.'' said he. II do not know If their
ends are to be gained in the way they have
chosen. The question is one which should
engage the attention of the American peo-
pie. What shape II may tax l do not
know. l would not express any bitter feel
l sympathize with the Republic. l should
not desire the Protestant Church to reach
out for political control. / have not been
identified with the movement, and, therefore,
have not given IL careful and critical
thought. II does not occur to me 10 be
blind 10 the fact that the Roman Catholics
are grasping for political office, and | think
il gives grounds for apprehension. IL is
folly for us to shut our eyes. How to meet
public for any religious body 10 seek con-
troll OF political power"
Rev. y. X. Steck. of the English Lutheran
Church. said that in regard TO the general
principles of the a. =. A. he was in sym
pathy with them. but In regard 10 their
declarations and actions he was not in
sympathy. Il believe in the political and
personal freedom of the church and state.
end | am opposed to the advance the Roman
Catholic Church is making said he. NO
organization, ecclesiastical or otherwise,
hos anr rfghs O. fnFagfara with nDlirfRnl lfh-