The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-06-24

To-Day, only the little country anu
rural churches ever condemn all card
playing and dancing as in itself an
evil thing. All the city churches
have taken the broader view that
these things cannot be controlled by
arbitrary laws.
The second vow of priest of this
church to which | wish to call atten-
ton, may be found in the middle of
page SIS. 1t reRds:s VIII You be
ready, with all faithful diligence, TO
Danish and drive away from the
church all erroneous and strange
doctrines contrary of Gods word; and
to use both public and privote moni-
tions and exhortations, as well as
to the sick as to the whole, within
your cures as need shall require, and
occasion shall be given? Answer, 1
will the Lord being my helper.
81 wish you to carefully consider
this vow. Because it's ancient verbi-
age may hide it's real significance
from you. When there is agitated in
any community a reform of any sort
that is brought before people on the
ground of being a moral and relig-
ious movement, what must be the du-
ty of a clergyman of this church?
To keep still? What about his ordi-
nation VOWS?
rs it not manifestly his duty to
examine the issue carefully and to de-
termine as correctly as he can wheth-
er the movement is really what it is
claimed TO be? If, quoting the Scrip
lures in its support 1t claims TO he
a doctrine founded on Gods word. 1t
shall be found to really antagonize
the general import and spirit of the
Bible. what can a clergyman of this
church do except to express his con-
victions?
Amy person who does not do so,
may well be called anything but a
leader of his people. l wish to call
your attention to the fact that this
church recognizes that there are 'er-
roneous and strange doctrines con-
trary to Gods word Dancing and
card playing have brought into promi-
nence much of that fanatical spirit
that develops erroneous and strange
doctrines in the name of God AS a
church we rest upon Scripture and
history and make our appeal, not to
the emotions and feelings, but to the
people to form conclusions under the
stress of intense excitement. but we
wish them to calmly consider all the
elements entering into the question
so far as they can, and to come to an
intelligent understanding first, then to
form their conclusions.
Modern emotional religion that
makes its appeal to passion and pre-
judice and attempts to rule intelligent
study out of court. is not our method
at alb We have absolutely nothing to
do with that All that goes with
that sort of religion is quite at vari-
ance with the religion with the Epis-
copal church. | have nothing what
ever to do with that; neither have
any right, neither have you any right,
to bring in the conclusions of Meth
odists, or Baptists or Campbellites and
to say they ought to bind us We
stand on our own foundations. and
we think and choose for ourselves.
These are times when the sword
of the spirit should be welded in de-
tense of principles, and he is not
well grounded in the principles and
teaching of the Episcopal church, VINO
for a moment considers that public
opinion outside this church should
determine the course for this church
to pursue in any emergency. We
who are taught in the church, we who
appreciate what our responsibilities
are, must have the manhood and the
courage to stand by those well tried
principles which this church has
fought so long and so successfully to
maintain.
People are only just beginning to
realize that the Episcopal church
stands for sane religion and person
al liberty, and as that realization
grows on any community, this church
is going to increase in strength and
power and usefulness, by mighty
strides. The only danger is that some
may seek to make this church into an
impossible likeness, by shaping 1t af-
ter some emotional sect.
"The third VOW of priest of this
church to which ! desire to call your
attention is found at the bottom of
page 518 Of the prayer book. 1t
reads: Will you maintain and set
forwards, as much as lieth in you,
quietness, peace, and love, among all
Christian people. and especially among
them that are Or shall be committed
to your charge? Answer 7 will do
so, the Lord being my helper
Now this is the vow that people
most generally urge when seeking to
escape the burdens of warfare. !
need not say have had it quoted to
me a good many times in the last 20
vaarS at mo call Vpur attention 10
the fact that this vow fol-
lows, and does not Drecede. the
previous ones. Those who seek peace
at any cost would have one obliterate
the previous promises and weakly
stand for this alone. Well, that is
an admirable spirit in it's way! 1,
myself, like IT, But 1t has its limita-
tions it cannot always honorably
and honestly be done.
Moses was = weak man and ruled
the children of Israel through 9th
ers, but Joshua was a fighter and ii
was he who led the children of Israel
use of both types of men. Why
should anyone condemn either type?
eaee Is the normal condition always
and essential to growth and prosper,
ity, either for church or state.
"But there come times when both
church and state must be loyal enough
TO conviction TO stand up and make a
fight, even when it means the worst
kind of war, civil warfare. When the
fight has been brought TO an honor
able conclusion either in victory oi
dafaot than aud NOT fiji then ara uJs