The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1908-10-15

"Bcoause be Is the highest type 81
the Christian gentleman"
This IL the way In which l heard the
pastor Of a Methodist church In south
ern Illinois end an argument with a
layman on the train coming TO Cincln-
natl from st. Louis, writes a stan cor
respondent OF the st. Louis Globe
Democrat The layman. paying due
respect 70 the cloth OF his 0p-
ponent, was trying to convince him
that he should not support Mr..
Taft for the presidency. and instead
should ote for his Democratic oppO-
nent. The churchman defended the
principles Of the Republican party. and,
as Indicated. defended the man for
whom be said he expected to vote, from
his personal standpoint OF a churcbman,
"because he Is the highest type Of a
Christian gentleman"
Bishop j. G. Hartzell OF the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, discussing the
religious beliefs of Bryan and Taft,
after calling on the latter, said:
(Which OF these men I shall vote for
win not be decided BY their religious
beliefs, but what they are as men. snd
by the principles and policies they stand
for in the administration OF the gov
eminent. I believe that In acting upon
this view. as an American citizen, I am
In harmony with the spirit and purpose
OF the founders Of our republic, who
put into the constitution that there
should be no religious test as to quail
hcations 70 any Office or public trust
under the United States Ny conyic-
ton is that the future safety OF the
nation depends very largely upon our
people needing that constitutional pro
hibition- Our natien owes much IN
moral character, statesmanship, lltera,
ture, art and religion to those who
have not been in strict harmony with
some OF the dogmss Of the church The
days OF the inquisitlon are past"
Remembering that Mrs. Taft II a
Presbyterian. but that Miss Helen Taft
was confirmed in the Episcopal Church
In Washington last winter at the same
slime that Miss Ethel Roosevelt. daugh.
ter OF the President, was confirmed. I
wondered as TO Mr.. Tafts church asso-
citation. When / made the inquiry here
/ wss answered through the columns
OF the Northwestern Christian AdvO-
cate, the great Methodist publication,
Just as It had given answer 10 hundreds
OF inquiries from its Methodist subscrib-
ers. II said
BIaa of Broad sYmpathies.
"Afrs. Taft and children are Eplsco-
palians. and the Secretary frequently
accompanies them 70 81. Johns Church,
where. also. he has a pew. While Mr..
Roosevelt goes 20 the German Reform
Cd Church, his wife aAd family. who
are Eplscopalians, attend historic st.
Johns Church. where they sit only one
or two pews removed from Mrs. Taft
and her children Secretary Taft
spends his vacation AZ Murray Bay,
Canada. where there is a Union Church,
attended by the summer e~olonists Of ala
denominations. The Secretary OF War
is one OF the trustees Of this summer
colony church, where people Of many
faiths gather for worship"
This Methodist testimony indicated
to ME the broad and liberal view OF
Mr. Taft In religious matters. In look
ing through the ole Of this same pub
llcation-the Western Christian Advo-
cate-I found a discussion OF both nom
inees, IN the course Of which Il was
asserted.
"The sympathies of both Mr. Taft
and Mr.. Bryan are very broad, aud they
worship easily and naturally with any
Christian denomination. Whichever
man is elected, the country viii have.
therefore. q President OF clean life.
lofty principles and Christian conyie-
lions"
oPinisa Of NeEro ClsrEynaa.
on the same afternoon. when Bishop
HartzcIl called, Rev. James g Robin
son, pastor OF the Eaker street African
Methodist Church OF Dayton. Ohio.
called az the headquarters Ia company
With W II. Jones, one Of the leading
oolorsd lawyers OF the same city. AIr
Jones wac proud OF the fact that ne Il
president Of the Colored Taft Club. the
first one 90 be Incorporated In the Uni-
ted States. and Rev. AFR. Robinson ad-
mitted that he Il president OF the
Board Of Directors Of TIE same club
/. As be left Mr. Tafts ONCE / asked him
Tor bis view Of the candidate, both from
bis standpoint as a churchman and as
a leader OF his race
Il believe he said, Judge Taft win
b. elected By q safe and comfortable
majority not simply because he is a
Republican, nor am / speaking because
7 am q Republican. But Judge TAFT
represents all Of The Ideals Of the true
Christian statesman"
A. 20 the attitude Of his own race.
Rev Mr. Robinson said I'VE can not
aaord to line up with the Democratic