The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-11-23

his pastoral relations with the church.
His formal resignation has not been
presented, but will be after the elec-
ton OF vestrymen at the annual meet
ing of the church on December next.
The leaning of the Rev. Mr.. Elliotts
preaching toward Christian Science
doctrine was the cause of the opposi-
ton of his flock
In his parish house today, wearing
a cassock and marching up and down
the floor, pacing off his steps with a
stick, the clergyman dictated, re-
narkable expression of belief to an
EVENING STAR reporter. in which
he explained his present attitude
toward religion.
Thomas A. Edison the electrical wizard.
was to the Episcopal priest in the enthu-
siasm of his declarations a better exempli-
fer Of the gospel of Christ tan all the
preachers of the gospel since the time of
Christ. in that his inventions proved the
lessons of the Saviour where a unsup-
ported argument failedt do that
Are you going TO join the Christian
Science church when your resignation is
accepted?" asked the reporter, after lis
tening to the clergyman's narration.
mo" said the clergyman, II am not
"Then, what are your plans for the
future?"
This is my Gethsemane." replied the
clergyman, his face lighted with enthusi-
asm. "I have lost all my money. Every
thing has been swept from me- and | Will
place my dependence entirely iH God.
have no thought for the morrow
''Has your congregation discussed your
preaching with your"
Yes" WINS the reply. "but in friend
ly way They may have thought was
a fool for my style Of talk, but the day
has passed when you can get up in
pulpit and dish out any style Of gospel
talk as you would soup. People are con-
vinced with your beliefs only when you
prove they have substantial backing"
The clergyman asked to be allowed to
tell the public fully through the EVEN
ING STAR his reasons for a change in
opinions. His interview follows in full;
This Is an age Of demonstration. Men
must today prove those things which
they would persuade other men to accept
rs vital truths. A man can only tell that
which he knows to be true. And in order
to get others to know what he knows to
be true he must be able to give unques-
toned proofs. Our Lord promised that
these proofs should attend the words and
deeds Of His sacred ministry, and His
promise was made good If the narrative
contained in the holy gospel is true. He
said: These signs shall follow them that
believe. They shall lay their hands on the
sick ana they shall recover. The claim
that this holds good today, as at the first,
Is opposed by the statement that miracles
were only for that time against such
an expressed opinion I would again quote
our Lords saying. Heaven and barth
shall pas saway but my word shall not
pass away.
First of ALL / must prove the gospel 10
be true in my own experiences. Bilna pc
lief has too long become almost unpehel,
The source of the worlds woes and wrongs
is unbelief This is the great sin thal the
Son of God became the Lamb OF 600 10
take away, as He Himself said An Things
are possible to him who believes. Edison
believes more in electricity than any man
living, and he has shown that In the realm
of electricity alone there is no such thing
as human impossibility He Is quoted as
saying that once he did not believe in the
teachings Of Christ, whereas today he can
prove the teachings of Christ TO be true
by hundred and fifty machines
Better than all the sermons that nave
been preached in thousand years. A SAD
comment this upon the power Of Christs
word through the sacred ministry Of his
church. Now the gospel IS the repuplica-
tion Of the law Of nature. That law by
which all things were and are created
and are sustained and controlled In their
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