The San Francisco call., 1896-10-25
Says the Methodists Do the
Liberal Christian Cause
Great Benefit.
DR.. HUMMER AGREES TO SPEAK
Anticipates Much Pleasure in Being
Present to Enj1y the Different
Views.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANqsoo CALI,

$40 broeQWaYi OCt. II.
The announcement of the action OF the
First Methodist Church regarding the
celebration of the inauguration of the
reformation on Luther day has created no
end of discussion among both church
goers and non-ehurch-goers in this city.
1t is now known that several churches
had refused to join the meeting at the
exposition building on Sunday evening.
1t was for this reason that the affair was
changed TO Saturday evening.
The Rev. G. w. Wendte is not man
who viii allow any one to question his
Christianity, and when he read the real
reason OF the opposition to the celebration
he prepared statement in which be said
was heartily sorry to read in the paper of
the purpose of DR.. Hummer and his church TO
withdraw from the Protestant celebration Of
Luther and the Reformation and for the
reason given. His action was foresbadowed.
however, at the last meeting OF the Ministerial
Association, when, to the general surprise and
regret OF the brethren, ne threw cold water on
the proposed festival and opposed the pro-
gramme prepared not by me, but by the COM
mittee, consisting of the ReYs. DIS. Coyle,
Bushnell Jones and myself. In that pro-
gramme the Rev. DR.. Hummer was assigned
the inyocs tion-a part usually not unWelcome
TO fervent Methodist hearts. Thinking, how
ever, that this modest representation might
not content a denomination so large and in-
fuential the Methodist, and also fearing
lest my own enthusiasm in this cause might
be Sinterpreted, 1 at once offered to retire
from the list in favor of DR.. Hummer or any
other brother. My part was modest one TO
display certain stereopticon views of Luther
and the Reformation, which l happen to pos
sess and accompany them with brief eXpiana-
tory remarks.
Then DR.. Hummer wisely stays away, for the
Methods / church holds theological opinions
to-day that would make the great reformer
turn over in his grave with holy horror. take
IL that to be q true Protestant is rather to
cherish Luther's spirit, as shown in that oeep
respect for the human reason and conscience
which characterized him in his best mo-
ments and underl9y his life.
lam at q loss 10 understand my Methodist
friends. When some time ago the distinguished
Unitarian divine, the Rev. Edward Everett
Hale, was given q reception in my church, the
Methodist young people came down to our
chapel in body to greet him and give him
the Chautauqua salute. Now my views OF
Christ are identical with Dr.. Hale's.
In this community the Catholic church has
shown far more liberal spirit in that it has
invited Unitarians and Jews to preside over
Its public meetings in defense OF its principles.
Shall Protestants-b be less liberal than Roman
Catholics Ii a Catholic priest should voIun-
teer to attend the com ing cele bration and pay
a loving tribute to LutheF's character and
universal Chris tendon, as certain Catholic
writers have done, would not DR.. Hummer
glsdly give him permission? If Ingersoll
should ask the use of his pulpit to deliver &
eulogy on the Bible, would he not rejoice to
ject to my reverent tribute 10 Martin Luther?
It would no more imply that he approves all
my private theological opinions than that ]
indorse all OF Dr.. Runners because am will
ing to sit on the same platform with him and
listen to his words
Ny Methodist brethren do not appreciate it
but they have unwitungly done the liberal
Christian cause great service. In this en-
hghtened age any display of intolerance
promptly meets its judgment and de eat in the
minds, of the literally inclined ministers and
people who form the great majority, in q Cali
fornia community. at least. A real cause foI
regret is that the interests OF Christian charity
will suffer and the enemies OF Christian free.
dom be given another illustration of how diff.
cult it is TO unite the divided hosts of Protes-
tantism in harmonious and effective activity.
Fortunately for the cause of intellectual and
religious liberty the decisive word in this
great struggle between light and darkness, eu-
thority and the free reason, tradition and
ruth, progress and reaction, will not be
spoken by any church or sect, but by those
great emancipsting sciences and arts and hu-
manlties of our time, which are transforming
all churches and creeds and preparing the way
for new descent of the holy spirit into mems
hearts.
The Rev. Alfred Hummer explains his
attitude in the matter with the following
statement:
1 am very good friend of DR.. Wendte's. nj
though I cannot see how man of such in
teIligence can fail to believe in the divinity of
Christ My only objection to the celebration
was hololng II on sunday night. In this nj
church board agreed with him. Now that it
has been set for Saturday night I shall be pres
ent and speakand anticipate great pleasure in
looking at the pictures to be exhibited. The
committee in charge asked me to make ten
minute address, but as the time of the meet
ing is well taken up, and as ! shall speak TO
my own people on the same topic the following
evening, have suggested that they leave my
name off the list of speakers. There are no
differences amongst the Oakland ministers
growing out of the celebration. have no
quarrel with DR.. Wendte and l hope TO occupy
my seat by his side at the next meeting OF the
ministers