The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-12-28

van was imprisoned, Wesley was rldr
ouled Whitfield was eXecrated Tolstoi
and smith and Hriees are eNcommuni'
Gated
Ecclesiastical pride all the ages long
has heen running into persecution, And
the pride 0f higot In the church Is -
hlameWorthy as the pride OF the veriest
unhol,ever The churchman who lords
il over his brethren % humber rank, and.
If he has the power, puts to the rack
his ecclesiastical enemies and unbelievers,
or lacking this power hetallos himself 10
1enuucia ton from his pulpit and through
partisan newspapers. is as wicked tho
political desnot who Expresses his sub
jects and puts hts enemies to the ghbet,
The church must never forget that big
otry and Intolerance arc sins as truly
as drunkenness and RIGHTEOUSNESS,
though they may he IN a different cata-
loguc Tho Master never pronounced y
blessing upon Oigotry, intolerance or per-
secutiou.
Fortunately for the world there have
been comparatively few who have con
trolled in the affairs of the church. who
nave abused their power The few who
have done 50 have hindered the good
cause to such an extent that centuries
will be required to overcome their influ-
ence.
Considered historically, It is not sur
prising that Jesus thought It necessary
to forewarn his disciples against perse-
cution. for there stood the record Of
Dauel IN the lions den. Aristides. '-'he
Just" hanished from Greece, Socrates
forced 10 drink the hemlock. Isaiah sawn
aSunder, Jeremiah confined In well and
Anaxagoras locked in prison.
But, considered in the light OF reason.
It does seem strange that Il was neces-
sary to warn good men. the loving serv~
ants OF their fellows against persecution.
Why should men with the beautiful inner
spirit of the seven heattudes have enc
mics and prosecutors? Why should good
ness be prosecuted?
Goodness makes evil uncom Portable
Fine souls attract opposition, as lofty
mountain peaks attract the lightning.
Mole hills have little 10 fear from thun-
der bolts.
Goodness uncousciousiy condemns by
comparison. Htodesty ia itself a rebuke
to pride; generosity to greed; love 10
selhshness; courage to cowardice; virrue
10 vice; ana purity to lust.
Persecution Is the answer Of fool to
the silent argument OF a good life In
stead Of bringing his own life up to the
wicked man seeks to bring his neighbours
reputation down to the level of his own.
The next best thing to OBTAINING the good
man Is to kin him
An epidemic prevailed In tho royal city.
Thousands or the kings subjects were dy-
ing. A scientist who knew what was
the matter went to the king and said,
O king. the trouble is that the streets
ara hthy and the water has become
impure The king became enrascd. He
denied that the water of the royal city
was impure
"But, said the scientist, "see, there.
under the lonses of the miscroscopc, is =
drop of water from the public we'll II
81 tul OF the germs Of disease Look
FOR Yourself"
The king looked lie saw the germs
ana, for answer. seizcd chair ana
smashed tho scientists microscope
The effort ou the part of wickednoss
TO suppress virtue and righteousness by
persecution IN as foolish "'rhc history
Of persecution Is a history Of cndcavots
TO cheat nature II makes no difference
whether the 9c'oti he orc or many.
tyrant or mob It's actions are in
sanN, It pcrsccutea a principle; II would
whip q right. Il would tar and fcath-
cr Justice by mnieUng 0yc ana outrage
upon the houses and PERSONS ot just
mon II resembles tNr prank OF boys.
VINO run with fire engines 60 put out Tho
stars Rnt ma ,n,,nl,tn .,,r', ,,,.,,,.
turuc their snlt. u,.,,,st n,.,,,,. ~,
The mort,r ,,,,no, ~, lis,o,,.rnI -.
lash inflicted ~ n too,,,n ~ n,,,,,. ,,t.,,.,.
prison n moro untarioua abode. o,o,v
bnrned book. or house. enlghtcns tin,
world. ivory suppressed WORT revorher-
atcs through the earth ,rom sldc To side
u IN the wn'ppor who Is whipped. and
thc tyr1nt who is outdouc The bodies
of good men may ho burned. hut oven in
the'r ashes 1--we their wontcd nr,s their
Voices, own from the grave. sound in tho
Wohders mouth. tOcir dead hands pun
''Wn tho Stfongholds OF their enemies
'up 'Srahts trrmh'H az their ghosts Look
act ''>us' between two thieves. lio
""hs IN 'tonl upon the cross. amid the
."N"llsa al'N" 81 secular ami religious
"'N'' "u'' oeler" three centuries had
i'Ssed' taat Slohot OF torture and in
l'''V ,al upon the s"epteIs, and shown
"i'0' ''' crowns OF Kings,
Hut that Is not ail Jesus says that the
nl"n VINO y prosecuted fur righteousness
SaKe gets "a blessing out Of the expert
tAee what philosophy uuderles tho
words
persecution establishes good man III
MS 6'o7AeSS' " causes him To recXaiu-