The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1907-11-21
discuss items OF social and political

ulScuSS items or social and political
phases, nothing\ more is expected
than, that they will discuss from the
view point OF their political faith.
In fact the whole race question when
reduced to its elementary principles
Is political one. Negro domination
social intermingllng and all other
scare crows have one common foun-
dation and that it to keep the Negro
ont of his political rights in order
to give strength and prestige to
certain political party with which the
Negro has not generally AFFILIATED.
But when secular newspapers will
attempt to drag this question into
the church and involve our holy re-
ligion and find themselves backed
up by bishops and high church mem
1T occurs to any mind that it is time
to halt with David and ask lis the
young man Ahsolom safe" think
this. thing has gone far enough now
For some one to answer a few solemn
questions. Things have been taken
FOR granted to the extent that they
have rrecipitated solemn inquiry.
What are the facts in this case? Two
Christian men meet at a place where
God is wOrshipped. They talk to-
gether concerning the spread or the
gospel to the perishing millions. To
this there is no serious objection.
Finally the dining hour arrives and
they partake Of refreshments TO sus-
tain the body and according to some
newspapers and high churchmen the
country is ruined. We hear a great
deal said by these Christian gentle
men about what God Intended They
say in support Of their race preju-
dice that God never intended this nor
that: But in support Of their views
they are always careful to avoid show
ing thus saith the Lord" in sup
port Of the doctrine they preach.
One goes ON to say that there is some
thing in the sacred scripture to the
effect tina, those who minister in the
temples should take heed that they
give no offense, and then constructs
is to apply to Bishop Potter dining
with a Negro. Another thinks it
would not have been quite so serious
had it not been so deliberately done.
Another who is bishop deeply de-
plores the act and regards it a very
unfortunate affair.
Now the adherents OF true religion
can not avoid being dumb founded
At such statements. Deplote what?
Is the question that crowds itself
into the measure. | am not writing
as politician | am writing from the
view point OF a christian man.
feel that the time has fully come for
some one TO raise the question as
to the safety Of our religion. Have
we northern and a Southern Christ?
If so then we must have a western
and eastern one. In the language
OF Paul Is Christ dividedo II so
house divided against itself can not
stand. Does God endorse race pre-
judice? If so he has changed from
the position he took concerning the
marriage oS Moses. Is God re-
.pectcr OF perspns!" He showed Pet
err to the CONTRARY upon the noted
house top. Those very serious ques-
tons must be raised and answered by
some one or. the time nos distant
when they will be raised by our chill
dren 10 the detriment Of them and
their future welfare. 40 believe
the Molly Bible is all right. Our
Christian religion is all right. But
since God made man upright man has
sought ont many inventions. Finally
let ME say that the race issue had it's
origin in the political world. Let
us fight it out on this line, let us not
involve our Bible and orr holy relig-
ion in the 'embroiglio. TO do this we
must scrupulously. guard against any
such issues as those raised today.
Stand in the gate and see, inquire
for the old path which is the good
way and We shall find rest to our
souls. j. V. BRYANT