Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-06
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When "a girl l. possessed toy snake,
whose 'undulating, fsnake-like movement
was so perfect a.. counterpart of nature
that. it were almost impossible to resist
shrinking back whenever it. approached
YOU My brother. some. years my junior,
had as constant companion neighbors
boy. This child had mortal dread OF
the viper. He all but had spasms when
threatened with its contact. II am not
afraid of it, he Would say, "but l just
donA want it on me-"
wonder If Bishop Gamblers II am not
afraid Of ghosts" appearing in your col
umns several days since may not have
been uttered in somewhat the same spirit
as that manifested by my quandam little
acquaintance? If, indeed. he is not afraid,
why does he fight so? Why so constantly
keep up such belgerent attitude? Why
does he so constantly keep on his war
paint. as If he fam would do battle? Why
does he keep his gun cooked and primed
ready at any moment to fire? If he keeps
thus I'm a state of preparation to ward off
ghosts, what do you suppose he would
consider sufficient armament If he were
expecting to meet formidable foe?
(Which the same l. rise to explain"
] think if he were approached some time
while so furiously beating the air and
he were questioned as to the curious an
tics he was pTacticing, he would answer,
like the man in Georgia Scenes" Il was
just seeing how | could a fout. All!
you would say with a sigh of satisfac-
ton, that explains 1t.
But, seriously, we quite agree with
Bishop Gambler. There is no cause Tor
alarm. Truth is imperishable. and If we
will but let this criticism run its course,
only so much of IL will stand as has the
stamp of truth on 1t. Let it alone; If 1t be
of God II will stand. Let him read ii.
Cor. iv. chap, Sth and 9th verses, and he
will find it a source of comfort and
strength to his soul.
I'VE are troubled on every side. yet not
distressed; we are perplexed, but not IN
despair; prosecuted, but not forsaken; cast
down, but not destroyed"
Of course. It is contrary to nature to
sit idly and see ones cause in apparent
danger, but if fight we must. let us keep
TO legitimate weapons of warfare; let US
confine ourselves to dignified argument.
Let us cast aside vituperation and scorn
to descend to the level of political mud
singing.
1t is hardly fair to, liken the utterances
of high-souled, honest gentlemen to the
"braying of a meadow musician" or the
pulling efforts of self-inhated men to ex-
hibit the little learning they may have &C
quired." 1t is hardly fair to class all criti-
cal comment upon Scripture as infdelity
and to list all critics in the same category
with Tom Paine, Hume and Voltaire.
1 do not here allude altogether to the
press dispatches from the netghborhood
of Chicago" Those gentlemen may have
deserved all that could be said of them.
In the absence of definite information
cannot pess judgment. But Bishop Cand-
Ter takes his cudgel and make general
dash at ''pert pulpiteers and callow col
lege professors" leaving no measure for
the limitations to be put on those to be
Included in his scope of invective.
And If il be claimed that the higher
critics are not here attacked but merely
pert pulpiteers and callow college pro-
fessors." then again l say that isn't fair
II is these men of high order of intellect
that fought to know better" Courage
should always spare the weak. These p.
P.s and G. c. P.s being found in the like
ness of an ass know no speech but the
speech of an ass-"bray' they must.
Yes. let us hope that our leaders will
cease to bespatter their Episcopal ermine
~ getting down in the mud: let them
keep to dignifed argument, remembering
ever that "a sneer is no argument at all. q"
Sometimes a David may down a Goliath
with simple and unwarlike weapons. We
must remember, too, that there are minds
so concOnstructed that they cannot sub
scribe to every "Ipse diXit'' that is fiaunt-
ed at them. 1t must be remembered, too,
that many of these critics, so mercilessly
attacked. love God and His book as much
as even the good bishop, to whom we
have herein alluded.
All, mel that those who labor for the
Lord would ever do so affectionately; not
abusively. but appealingly, as when Paul
said, Brethren, my hearts desire and
prayer to God for Isreal is that they
might be saved"
JUST A WOMAN
Macon, Ca, Jan. 81.