The record-union., 1895-04-20
a MORAL COWARD.

a MORAL COWARD.
TheIRev. Mr.. Gibson of Emmanuel Bap-
tist Church, San Francisco, is a moral
coward. He confesses it, if a reported
interview in San Francisco newspaper
is verify.
Having been asked why he had not visit
ed his parishioner Durrant in Jail, where
he lies charged with two murders, he re-
piled: IF 1 should go to his cell and talk
with him just imagine what would be
said"
The Master Mr.. Gibson claims to serve
did not pause in His duty to consider
what the world would say. He took no
thought as to what publicans and sinners
would debate concerning His ministra-
tions or their methods. If Gibson had
true conception of his calling he would
know only that one of his flock is in
prison, and guilty or innocent is a fit
subject for his sympathy, counsel and
prayerful solicitude.
1t makes manhood ashamed of Chris
tianity that one of its robed admins
traitors should exhibit such moral cow
ardice as this man Gibson has confessed.
It makes real Christians blush that one
of their priests should hesitate an in
slant in duty doing, because of the ''they
say'' of the world.
If Gibson were not able, as he is, to
prove an alibi in the Williams murder
case, we would say that his contemplate
cowardice warrants belief in his guilty
knowledge of the crime. The true min
lister of God has balm in his words and
mercy in his soul alike for the guilty and
for the innocent: he carries the word and
consolation of religion to whomsoever is
in prison, sick or suffering; he knows
but one thing to do, and that is to COM
fort, to uplift, to hold aloft the cross, and
bid men look up and be healed.
When it comes to one of the flock he is
chosen to guide, his duty is more than
plain, and his path without an obstacle.
1t is straight and narrow, and direct to
the cell of the accused or the condemned;
the prosecuted or the justly convicted.
When he holds aloof for fear of what the
world may say he writes himself down
as a coward and a cheat. When be fears
that his visit would be misconstrued, he
confesses that self-interest is superior to
conviction of duty on his part.
Some would claim that l, being his accom-
plice, had called to strengthen his nerves, and
in every movement OF my lips, or even my
eyebrows, some people would pretend to dis
guilt on the part of Durrant or myself
Well, what of it, Mr.. Gibson? What
should you care what some would claim
or "discover"? If conscious of your
own innocence, what care you for "the
criticisms" of the world? If you know
that it is your duty TO visit and comfort
this man of your own fold, who stands in
such sore need of friends and asks why
you come not why should anything short
of death or the stroke of Gods anger
prevent you from doing your duty? If
the man is guilty, as you believe, and
as he seems to be, he needs you to bring
him to repentance, confession and sub
mission to the law; if he is innocent, he
needs your support and advice and
prayerful counsel.
Compare this cowardice Of the preacher
Gibson with the esprit du corps of the
men of the world with whom the accused
was associated in a military organization.
They do not give heed to what the world
may say; they do not condemn the man
before his time. They give him the
benefit of the legal presumption of inno-
| cence. They stand fast by the religion of
fair play, and bid him good cheer, while
! demanding for him exact justice, even
though it means the gallows and the
/ hangman's moose. For shame, Gibson.