Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-14
MINISTER'S JOIN THE MOB.

The idea OF women going on the war
path with axes and bricks Is repulsive
enough, but when ministers OF the
gospel" join them In murderous attacks
upon sinners" the farce becomes a
burlesque which may have a tragical
ending. The chivalry Of Americans, sa-
loon keepers not excepted Is generally
sufficient to protect women from SER
ious harm, even when they seek motor
lety by the means adopted by Mrs Ma
ton, but their religious sentiments are
not strong enough TO prevent them from
piercing n clerical coat with bullet II
the owner Of the coat leads mob and
swings battle-axe. The men, and
particularly the ministers, should keep
away from the mob But II they min
gle with It, II should be as peace
makers. and not as inspirers of violence
Unless they do, there will be murder
before the crusade is ended,
We notice In the dispatches that
Rev. Charles Lowther OF Winfield, Kan.
does not take this view Of his clerical
mission. He, II is stated, came around
with an axe. and when the destruction
Of a saloon was going on, he guarded
the door. When the saloon keeper en-
deavored to enter. the minister. with a
murderous blow struck him down, and
II seems chat only the unskllful wav In
which he handled the axe prevented a
murder. for the blow made only a scalp
wound. instead OF crushing the skull
The minister's example was soon fol-
lowed Another axe was lifted for
terrible blow, and guns were displayed
The greatest excitement prevailed for a
time.
II that reverend gentleman were
asked by what authority he went out
to engage in acts that might result In
murder, the chances are that he would
refer to the cleansing of the Temple
premises. by our Lord. IL Is an episode
in the life of the Nazarene. often used
as an argument in favor of reform by
violence. Rev. Lowther would I'M
doubtedly say that, MS Jesus scourged
the merchants that polluted the Temple
ground, His followers may fight the
modern corrupters OF public morals.
The gospel narrative Of this event Is.
however. generally misunderstood. II
Jesus inflicted any scalp wounds, or any
other wounds. on the cattle merchants.
II Is not related. Nor Is anything said
from which the inference can be drawn
logically. Our Savior made whip, and
Il is expressly stated that II was twist
ed together OF "small cords" because
His purpose was to drive out the oxen
and sheep and we may feel assured
that the owners anxiously followed the
animals, so as not TO lose them in the
general mix-up outside the Temple
gate. There was no occasion for driv-
ing the excited owners out with blows.
To those that sold doves, and
who ala not follow the cattle and sheep,
He administered rebuke. telling them
to take "these things" away. There
was no Ratchet display by Him who al
the hour OF His greatest trial had the
gentle admonition to a follower who
thought the time had come for USING
cold steel in His defense Put Ut
again thy sword into his place; for all
they that take the sword shall perish
with the sword"
There is one redeeming feature OF the
| Kansas crusade. and that Is the lesson
II conveys that public opinion cannot
forever be defed by the law-breakeri
and the officers that, directly or indi'
rectly make law breaking possible and
profitable. This was shown when the
people OF Usage city went to the mayor
and peremptorily demanded that the
Joints OF the place be closed The may.
or no doubt in view OF the popular
agitation. promised TO close them, and
gave orders accordingly 10 the officers
10 do so. For time public sentiment
can he defed but such course Is always
sure 10 bring trouble. and when the
popular storm finally rises, public ser
wants win find their only safety In
compliance with the demands that rest
on law and general sentiment. In this