Evening journal., 1903-06-30
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE

To tho Editor CT tho Evening Journai.
Dear Sir: / see by the Philadelphia
Record, of the 18th, some extracts Of
sermon preached by Oev.) M. w. Thorn
ton, OF the A. NJ. E. Church. in which, by
his own words, Qf the report Is true)
stands # necessary, like the outlaw Tracy, !
drinking the blood Of their pursuers The
lynching Of White by an infuriated mob
against the peace and dignity of the State
Of Delaware is disgrace which cannot
and viii not be soon forgotten No one can
imagine the baneful effect 1t Will have
upon the boy and girl of today who will
be the man and woman of tomorrow. That
the act was, and Is depored Is evidenced
by he utterances OF many of the best citi-
zens OF the state, and the fearless edi-
dorials of the newspapers OF the entire
State (of which none is more out-spoken
than the JournaD. The efforts upon the
part Of the better element OF society TO
restore order and peace assisted by the co.
operation of that element which has
always been considered menace to good
government. The saloons willingly cOntrl-
buting TO the restoration OF peace and
good win by closing their places of busi-
ness, show that the pale OF shame and dis
grace has been, and is felt by all alike.
When the late William Mckinley Presi-
dent OF the United States. gazed into the
face &c his assassin his words were, Don't
hurt him." How like the true spirit of
Christian greatness was the utterance.
But today we are confronted by "A new
danger and from an unexpected quarter,
''The Sacred Pulpit" The advice OF the
man Of sorrows was, Love your enemies.
do good TO them who despitfully use you
and say all manner OF evil against you"
But this so-called follower of the Son Of
God says, stand, II necessary. like THE out
law Tracy. drinking The blood of their
pursuers. Now what did Tracy stand for
The speaker says like the outlaw Does
he mean the negro must stand like an out
law volator Of law, a seeker of blood,
a hunted animal of prey, a human brute;
for such was the outlaw. Shame on such
men. calling themselves ministers Of
Jesus Christ. Any people who are COM
PEELED to listen to the Gospel from such
men can never become truly great. To
elevate and christianize the negro men
cannot afford to speak animal natures
but must appeal ito their finer sensihilities.
The latent fires Of brutism, lurking in the
heart OF man, should not be aroused but
should be forced out by the cooling waters
OF Divine love and fellowship. The heart
Of man, in its carnal state. Is the worst
thing on earth TO change; ITO change IT to
"a heart of love and feeling by the power
OF God though his Son. through the
preaching OF the gospel OF love and good
will, is the work OF the ministry.
IL was when the Roman soldiers were
driving the nails in his hands and feet he
uttered the memorable prayer: Father
forgive them" When the Disciple raised
the sword to smite OFF the ear OF the ser
want Of the High priest. His command was,
put up the sword. He that fights with the
sword shall die by the sword. When min
listers of the Gospel use THE pulpit Ito cry
for vengeance and for blood. they desc
crate the holy office to which they claim
To be called and when they use their high
office to inhame the people to open vlo-
latlon of the law they are no longer safe
persons and are surely unfit for such an
exalted position. when such men urge a
direct violation OF the Scriptural iniunc-
ltion. Pray for your enemies" is there any
wonder that such characters as White live
and are sheltered by the race. II Holmes
was degenerate. It Is even possible for
White TO have been the same. The man
who incite to riot is equally as guilty I'm
the sight OF God for the shedding Of blood
as the man who shoots the gun or plunges
the dagger. and is as dangerous in the
community as the assassin.
II IL ds right to get rid Of one mot by
lynching) A. is equally as essential TO be
rid Of the other. and no one, white or
black. ought 20 be allowed TO remain in
any community who incites TO an infrac-
tion OF the law. The sooner such danger.
Gus characters are made 10 understand
they are not wanted and are deposed from
E their high position. just so much sooner
will the race grow I'm strength, morally. re.
ligiously and intelligently.
The mission of the minister of the Cos
pei is TO preach forgiveness. repentanc,
and love for one another. Better close tn,
. churches as well as the saloons, n they ar,
l no be used TO congregate the people {,
mnamo them TO open violation of law an,
order. I sincerely hope that the authorities
OF the law will allow no mass meetings o
4 negroes. but II such be allowed, such char
% acters as the minister who preached tn,
Il sermon reported, be debarred from attend
ing or speaking. Let not the person forge
the Saviour's words: whatsoever MAJ
soweth that shall he also reap" be M
e white or black. bond or free. The ministe
e who incites to mob or riot may becom
- the victim of mob or riot. Beware. be
l. ware, God is just
M. J.. Anderson.
Minister of the Gospel.
Lincoln University. Chester County, Pa.
y
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