The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-19
n.Joindcr TO "a Reader,
Norfolk, Va. Dec. Is, /
Editor of The virginlan:


Editor of The Virginan:
l ask now permission through your
columns to set tight the third pariy,o this
discussion. who entered the lists cary
this week. He comes in full of smiles,
as II were. with the expires ion of "a
great deal of pleasure" that my letters
afforded him. But his pleasure appa-
rently Is augmented by the thought of
giving some suggestions" for Tim
othy's' con liberation. His article affords
me threcfold pleasuIe-First. because
he IS n reader of your excellent paper;
secondly. because the reading of my let
terS was a source of y easure to him,
and, thirdly. because "A Reader" means
full man." and | might expect by
contact with him to gain some valuable
information While l thank "a Read
er" for any suggestions he may kindly
make. yet, as must be evident to every
imp. ejudiced reader of my communica-
lions, these afore aid suggestions were
better suited 10 the second party, or any
other party, than myself. He addresses
me as My friend" so many times in his
article, and seems so much in remon-
STRANGE with me, as to make the reading
public suspect me in error sure enough.
| beg leave to object to this, as there
IS no occa; ton whatever for II. 1t would
be difficult for n casual reading of his
piece to determine exactly which side
he is on In fact, il looks rather after
the order of an old fashioned experience
meeting, where one bro her makes n tes-
;inony and another follows, adding
omcthing to what the former said To
tell the truth, his lengthy effort has
rather elaborated my ideas, rs every
close reader must admit. But 10 the
text: He says he quite ag.ces with the
baptist friend who said of ministers and
members of his church. IF they work
against this evil as they should. 1t
would not have the power over the pco-
pie 81 now has" He then quotes my
question OF the 12th instant: IF they
preach the Gospel and set examples OF
Christian purify, what more can they
do?" Now | would submit the matter
20 the verdict of the intelligent readers
| OF The vi: gnian. which is under cloud.
| the proposition in the declaration of the
| former, or that in the latter, TO wit: my
question? If my position in the premises
i wrong, why not say so? If my prin-
cples are unsound, why not prove them
% be so? In the former proposition
there Is an impeachment of the minis
te!s and members of the Baptist church
"A charge without specifications. In
my Qur ton IL couched tacit declara-
ton "f an imperative duly and respon-
| s.bNity. Are any suggestions needed
along here? Pray LEI him give his valu-
able aid in strengthening ministers and
| members" by suggesting with the other
party. l verify believe there are in
! s'ances OF Gospel preaching and pure
living In this century a. good as any
N the first days of the Gospel dispen a :
ton. and l moreover believe that the
light to guide the human race in right
| eous living never shone more bright ly
than 1t shines to-day. Now for "A
| Readers" question, How does oul
| friend account for so much sin and suf-
fering of to-day?" why, the same old
| answer, Men loved darkness rather
than light because their deeds were
evil" Thousands are living wrong to.
! day, with no excuse whatever for it
They have ample light and example for
| better living.
"A Re ,ders" paragraph about the
| Limitation period of life" in connection
with the scriptual quotations following
Is not sufficiently clear TO be ineligible
| What he has to say about America is
land of Bibles" is whole reading
| indeed but he closes the paragraph
with Why pray thy will be done OF
earth as 1t Is in Heaven" and still con.
| duct business on the same old platform
OF will power. when we have been shown
! the only true power" 1 beg pardon
where | spoke of will power took pains
| 10 qualify 1T thus: "Will power. enlight.
ened and sustained by truth and grace.
In the excellent description he gives OF
pure religion and its natural conse
Guences | have never dissented from
such a standard. and the whole proceed.
| ms iSinliluS me Vi WIFI L u-eu 10 witness
| when boy: An old local preacher would
sill in the pulpit and seem 10 be nap
ping soundly while the circuit rider vs..
preaching. but he would be sure Il
lonse up at the close and give power
full eXhortation on the sermon.
| In clio ing his most friendly reply n;
says: IF my friend doubts IL. he doubt.
the promise of God, Ask. and we shall
| receive; seek. and We shall find" Now
! II he found anything in my letters tina
| suggest; even the implication of a shad
ow or doubt in the glorious consequence.
| OF preaching the Gospel and living pure
| christian lives. as taught in the Bible. ;
"A Reader" must have been mapping Q
little when he read them.
] TIMOTHY.