The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-16
SOME MORE LASBYISMS.
One Comment on His Sermon Dubbed
"ScurriIOus Screed."

The sermon of Rev. Mr.. Lasby at Central
avenue M. E. Church Sunday, speaking of
the public press as Sewer of filth" and
reporters as "carrion crows, occasioned
considerable comment yesterday, some of
which was far from complimentary to the
preacher. Mr.. Lasby, in a statement made
to a reporter yesterday, insulted the intelli-
gence of his congregation by stating that
the universal expression of the people of his
church concerning the sermon was one Of
commentator.
One of the newspapers yesterday COM
mented on Mr. Lasby as follows:
THE Rev. Mr.. Lasby, since he came to
this city to preach, it was supposed, the
gospel of love, has given repeated illustra-
tiops of his dense ignorance or complete
misconception of the duties and dignity of
the profession which he pretends to follow.
He is prone to bear false witness against
his neighbor," and he does not scruple to
abuse the sanctity of the pulpit by giving
utterance therein to glazing untruths."
After quoting one of his paragraphs the
editorial continues
I'm the paragraph quoted above there are
eight separate and distinct falsehOOdS. The
most vicious and depraved man in the whole
newspaper profession could not have
crowded greater number of untruths into
the same space Whether he honors his
profession and religion or not, Lasby can at
least claim distinction as an unequaIed pur-
VeyOr OF CONDENSED
The article in the Journal yesterday re-
porting the Lasby sermon was dictated to a
reporter by the preacher himself. Since he
came to Indianapolis prominent members of
his congregation have come to the Journal
and urged that his sermons be given space
in the paper. On several occasions report
ers have gone to his house for the sermons
and were always treated courteously. Last
night Mr.. Lasby said to Journal reporter:
Nn in InAT r,n1 -
speaks of my sermon on Sunday morning as
a bid for notoriety. Every reporter and edi-
tor in this city can bear witness, so far as
their knowledge extends, that since the be-
ginning of my pastorate here L have never
directly or indirectly requested the presence
of a reporter at our church services nor vol
unfairly proffered synopsis of my sermons
or discourses. Whenever the reporters have
sought to obtain such matter they have al
ways secured courteous treatment and have
invariably accorded me the same. That
there was no bid for notoriety in last Sab
baths discourse is evident from the fact
that no published notice of the subject to
| be treated was made, and further that the
reporter who finally obtained the synopsis
was compelled to visit my residence a third
time before he could obtain the same as
was too busy with other duties to accord
him the time when he first called.
The universal expression of the people
of my church concerning the sermon was
| one of commendation. The leading officials
of our church, who have the largest oppor
tunity of hearing adverse criticism, declare
| that they have not heard a single word in
| opposition to the sentiments expressed or
| that in any way reflected on the discourse
| The scurrilous screed appended to the re-
port in the paper this morning evidently
| emanates from some individual who is to-
| tally void of the instincts of a gentleman
| It's statements are false, and were evidently
| made with malicious design. My position in
| variably has been one of commentator for
| the course pursued by the Indianapolis
| press. My sermon was devoted to showing
| the necessity and the value OF religious lit
| erature as a distinct field for church patron
| age. The synopsis given in the Journal was
| correct as far as its statements went, and
| of course a full report was impossible. Had
| such been made, the purpose of the dis
Course would have been apparent to all and
| its position readily recognized as justifi-
| able"