The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-22
PULPIT NO PLACE FOR ATTACK.
SAVANNAH CLERGY AGAINST PER-
sONAL ARRAIGNMENTs.

From the Pulpit, the Clergy Say, /
should BE seIdOm-Rev. DIR. Fair, /
Rev. &. VI. strong, Rev. DIR. Jordan
and Rev. BascOm Anthony Give
Their Opinions ON PuIpit Utter
ances Concerning individuals.
The arraignment of Mayor Woodward |
Of Atlanta by Rev. DR.. Broughton has |
been the subject Of considerable discus |
sion in Savannah, and particularly by |
ministers, some of whon think the right |
course was pursued. while others believe |
the Mayor could have been brought 10 |
realization of his wrongdoings In more |
relenting way. OF course. nobody con- |
dones the Mayors alleged conduct.
Unless il was a case of extreme reckless |
ness. there are probably few ministers In
Savannah who would care to undertake
the arraignment of a public official, and
then not unless the body exercising au>
thority over him declined to take the evil
dence in hand and institute proper pro-
ceedings.
There are some who are willing to pro-
coed, however, and have recently noticed
violations of law TO which they intend TO
call attention from their puipits unless an
effort is soon made to abate them. One
which he claims is running rampant in
Savannah, and particularly that feature
of it known TO the craft as "policy play
ing" pulpit protest against the con-
tinued prevalence OF this evil may be ex-
pected at any time from one OF the best
known ministers in the city
The clergy think individuals should
rarely be attacked from the pulpit, though
they admit there are occasions which de-
mand it, and that the Atlanta case was
one of them They think an Official VINO
conducts himself in a manner to become
a nuisance 10 the community is subject
to Impeachment, but many think the pro
ceedings should be prosecuted by those
WAC have this power conferred upon them
II have read with regret the steps which
have been taken by DR.. Broughton against
the Mayor OF Atlanta. ,s sai9 fac Ke Nat III
become necessary for minister TO speak
for the community seems TO be renecuon
upon the City Counell, VINO must NAY nave i nae
attention was called to his mlsdeeds from
the pulpit. If the circumstances are as
they appear in the newspapers, does
norance of the Mayors conduct. Wneth-
err Dr. Broughton had given notice or mis-
intention to proceed ! 90 not know Ply II
that no action would be taken, l think
he was then perfectly justified in protest
ing from his pulpit and dema anu, th rba
MAYORS case. Under these circumstances
/ thin, It became his duty.
"As a general thing, ] do not approve
attacking individuals from the pulpit. The
better course is to explain the appli-
cation of Gods law to the conduct OF
men, without arraigning them harshly De,
fore the community. Where the moral
conceptions of an official are so blunted
by drink that he disregards the dignity
and neglects the duties of his cthce, citl-
zens have TO speak, and may pvtperly DO
so through their churches. TO reach
Fostering sore in the body often requires
Rev John d. Jordan, pastor of the
FIRST Baptist Church, does not think the
pulpit the proper place for the arraign-
ment of individuals, except 1t be the only
u know Dr. Broughton with a limited
passing acquaintance and recognize MIN
as pure, courag eous and enthusiastic
Christian man" Rev DIR. Jordan said.
| whether he has tact and wisdom in pro-
! portion to his courage and earneStness,
| would seem just a little doubtful. He
has considerable reputation for sensation
alism His methods and mine are very
| different. Were l TO try his methods, l
| Judge that l would be unhappy and make
| unhappy all those associated with me. He
| might be equally as unfortunate he
4 We're to try my method.
| II know of this case about Mayor Wood
ward only from long range aud through
| the newspapers. 1t would seem that his
| man was down before he struck him. He
! seems only to have given publicity In q
| sensational way to a case that was we'll
UNDERSTOOD locally. If this be the case,
| he Is liable to receive undue credit, both
| as a diScoVerer as well as an eXpoSef
while this may detract from the wis
| dom and tact of the preacher, 1t can In
| no way help the case of the Mayor.
| do not favor such things from the pulpit
because l think they are shocking, both
TO the moral and religious sense of q
| community. l think the same charges
backed up by facts laid before the Mayor
and his friends, in private way, might
have accomplished as much good ano
caused less harm. 1t would also have
made the preacher appear more Of here
and less of a bully / am aware thai
many good people will take a different
view OF the matter from myself, and
gladly accord them the perfect right K
REV. Charles H. Strong. rector of st
Johns Church, thinks the usefulness o
the pulpit will be seriously impaired If per
sonal attacks are kept up from it. 4
broad scope is allowed TO the utterance
of minister when they are made in
| general way, but his remarks should no
be directed at individuals in way TO sti
up had feeling Ing mt Mr strong said a., there
ances of minister the same as the publ
cations of a newspaper, but this is on
) reason why he should be the more careful
Referring TO the case of Mayor Wood
ward. Mr.. Strong said he Thought the Cit
r Council the proper body to take up the in
! vestigation, If there was to be one. /
1 the Council declined TO do its duty, or !
those who had the evidence were doubtful
OF getting justice. a mass meeting of cit
zeus could bring about desired results.
e II can think of nothing more abhorren
] than a discussion of the wrongs of an in
, dividual from the pulpit" he said. Moth
+, ing occurs to me that would justify It. Tn
i pulpit is a sacred place from which tn
! vices of individuals should not be pro
E ciaamed. 1t is perfectly proper to discus
:, | matters in the pulpit that pertain to tn
T public welfare. but even then they shoul
4 be treated in a general way, mentionin
: no names AT times have found il nee
T essary TO refer to the sanitary condition G
! the city, and other things that pertain
y the public health, but l consider the name
! OF city officials were properly omitted
n Frequently these direct attacks are made
y q is in the case of DR.. Briggs who was NJ
,, ragned in New York by DR.. De Costs
e There are not many of them, however
which think is fortunate for the church
The clergy should properly refrain froi
all references that are sensational in thei
nature"
Rev. Bascom Anthony, pastor of Trinit
n Methodist Church, disapproves of sense
tional pulpit methods, though he hearth
indorses the course DR.. Broughton too
II | in arraigning Mayor Woodward. Th
10 Mayors conduct seems to have justified /
II would be willing to arraign III
u MaNor Of any pitV i'm which 7 lived ~ l.