Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-04-12
The tnfdeI

proved herself blessing to any
country on earth. but to. the contrary
she has filled the breast with AFRO
gancc, cruelty. and murder. She has
caused religious wars. bound hundreds
of thousands to the stake. founded in
QUESTIONS. filled dungeons. invented in
struments Of torture, imprisoned the
mind, filled the world with ignorance,
prosecuted the lovers of wisdom made
happiness a crime. investigation SIN,
and self-reliance a blasphemy. She
has poisoned the spring of learning.
filled all countries with want, housed
the people in novels. fed them with
famine. and, but for the efforts of a
few brave infidels. she would have tax
en- tine world back to the midnight OF
barbarism and left the heavens without
a star. | deny that the United States
is Christian nation, because she is
civilized and between Christianity
and civilization there exists an ever
widening and ever impossible gulf
A man, who signs himself F. NJ
Clements, contributes the above re-
markable utterance to the department
entitled. Letters from the People
which the New York Globe oblgingiy
keeps at the disposal of people who feel
an irresistible impulse to rush into
print. OF course, Mr.. Clements
assertions need no answer; there can
be only Pity for man who could pos
sibly know such bitterness of spirit
and such blackness of soul as to pen
such words. But what pity it is. that
among the many millions in this coun-
try. all enjoying numberless blessings
and privileges and opportunities as
result of our Christian civilization.
there should be even one individual so
blind to the conditions around him. SO
regardless of the facts Of history, and
so false to himself, as to write such
paragraph.
His communication can arouse no
argument and it needs no answer
Int il suggests the old story of
the infidel travelling in strange ana
lonely land, who was lost in the course
of a Journey and feared that he would
fan into the hands of the robbers and
murderers, with which the region was
known to be infested. Suddenly
through the trees, beside the road he
cav tbe light of a house and he made
his way toward il with great caution
lest il be a rendezvous of the high
yavmrn. As he got near enough to the
house he saw one window where the
curtain was raised. permitting him a
vi,yy of the interior. and approaching
cautiously. he beheld the family gain
erod about the hearth. engaged in
dcvotione before retiring for the night
The father had just finished reading
from the Bible and. as the stranger
approachnd the window. was kneelihg
beside his chair to offer prayer. Whlie
his wife and children likewise, dropped
to their knees. There is no need to ADD
that the stranger with great feeling
Of relief and thanksgiving in his heart,
applied at once at that door for shelter
and that he was Hospitality received
and cared for and went on his way re-
joicing in the morning. He knew well
that no harm could come to HIM IN
such a home.
Possibly a similar experience would
convince Mr. Clements. that Christian
ity stands for civilization and safety
am honor and progress and all that is
good in the world, and not for the
things which he enumcrateS.