The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1899-08-26
One Would Expect as the Result
OF High Attainments in Grace.

Editor Gazette; My friend Ne
mo is out in a lengthy reply, and
says a good deal that has little or
no reference to the subject at is
sue, although he says he con-
fines himself TO that issue. For
poetry. Latin phrases and dis
tance from the subject, commend
me to Memo. The question be-
tween Memo and myself is this:
Are the Baptist ministers of
this section inefficient and uu-
faithful?" He assumes the af-
firmative, and | the negative.
Every reader of the Gazette who
has kept up with Nemo's articles
knows that for years he has been
criticising the ministry. He has
done this in various ways, and at
times has brought serious charges
against them. In the article al
ready quoted from he says we
seem to have no desire for high
attainments in grace, no require
ment for closer walk with God,
eto. He further observes that
our membership. thus deprived
of all incentives to higher life,
set down on the ordinances and
do nothing. Now if this is true,
surely we are sadly lacking; but
if it is not true, then we owe it to
ourselves and the cause werepre-
sent 10 protest against thsse re.
peated attacks. Memo makes
much ado over the "average
preacher, and seeks to escape
through that loop hole, but the
reader will note that he often
says 'our preachers" which ev-
identity includes all. Besides, il
there is here and there a deficient
minister who, because Of poor
opportunities is not doing much,
he ought not to be lashed and
criticised before the public eye.
Memo does not display that sym
pathy and kindness one would
expect as the results of high at
tainments in grace.
But TO show that Memo is not
after the average preacher SC
much, quote from his last arti-
Gle: They (preachers) are pub
lie men representing the Baptist
interest of our people, but pay
little attention to the spiritual
portion Of that interest. +" Here
Memo evidently means all the
preachers, for this is a very
sweeping statement. And | sub.
NIT to the candid reader that il
this is not grave charge, then
do not know how to read English
God pity US if we pay little at
tention to the spiritual interests
OF our people! Then / suppose
we are looking after tempora
concerns, caring more for tbs
fleece than for the flock. Memo
owes it to the pastors of thil
country to verify this statemen
or retract it, and in their behal
/ respectfully call on him to d.
; it. Let us have more of fact
and less of poetry and Latin.
Concerning holiness Mem,
makes light of my gun and init
mates that it may prove NOR
dangerous at the breech than a
the muzzle. My reply is that i
makes little difference with m,
, which end of my gun | use oil
the holiness craze. / believe il
holiness as taught in the Scrip
lures, but not as preached b,
latter day fanatics.
Memo goes far out OF his wa,
3 when he says he once sufferei
himself banished from churcl
/ privileges to advance my inter
. est. Surely his Punishment wa
! due to other causes than simpl,
! because he once voted for me 70
pastor. But this IS an unfortun
. ate reference.
: With triumphant flourish Q
his sword Memo says: 81 woul
; ask who are these preachers? %
g what meat do those Caesars fee
that they have grown SO great,
g that they cannot have their wor
e reviewed by their own laymenY
r | answer, certainly not on Ne
a mos meat, for preachers do nc
d grow on perpetual lashing an
: criticism. II they could, veril
we should have a lot OF minister
al giants by this time. AS
!, having our work reviewed by on
= Iaymen, we are perfectly willin
: to that, and it is being done 4
n fbo firna AopNowap an -