The Washington herald., 1909-08-02

Held In washington In November.
Rev. Samuel Spahr Laws. D. D.. re-
tired minister OF the Southern Presby-
terian Church, and who is widely known
In religious and educational circles
throughout the country. has addressed an
open letter 10 Hon. II B. T. Macfarland,
chairman OF the executive committee Of
the Layman's Missionary Movement.
which is 10 hold q large convention in
Washington IN November next DR..
Laws. in well-tempered words. ventures
20 criticise and take exceptions 10 a phase
Of the programme for the convention,
which proposes Ito place before that
convention as it's most distinguished and
honored guest. and before the public as
its representative 70 sound the keynote
OF its proceedings. in its opening address,
a very distinguished citizen whom
greatly admire but who does not wor-
snip Christ nor believe In His Deity"
He refers TO the President OF the United
States
He says this must be an error. for Il
unfortunately would place him and also
the convention in a false light. and could
only forebOde bllghting influence on the
cause
Free of Prejudice.
DR.. Laws protests that his view OF the
case IS absolutely free from political con-
siderations; that his pen has been used
in defense OF the President against a
political assault OF his religious views.
however variant from his own, and that
II Is solely the incompatibnity OF things
religious that is considered in his letter
10 Chairman Macfarland on the subject
His open letter, which Is addressed 70
the editor OF The Washington Herald, is
as follows:
May I presume on your courtesy to
allow me 10 address. through your coll
umns. this open letter 20 Hon. H B. F.
Aacfarland. chairman OF the executive
committee, Layman's Missionary Move
ment:
Dear Sir: see a conspicuous news
paper announcement OF the great mis-
sionaTy convention 70 be held for
four days IN this city next Novem-
Der. This movement is no private
affair. but Is openly and avOwedly
in the interest OF the Christian
church. and this public appeal for CO.
operation Is made 20 all such as SYM
pathize Herewith Indeed. Il is therein
remarked that this campaign should
mark new epoch IN the history OF
Christianity And the urgent reason as
signed for this coveted result Is that:
The churches in the United States need
q new baptism OF power.
Doubtless, this need VIII be readily
conceded by the entire Christian com
munity, and il must, with equal readi-
ness. be conceded that the great Head
Of the Christian church is the only source
whence this power can be obtained or
Increased. Even Christ. in whom are all
the treasures OF wisdom and knowledge
This say, says the apostle. that no
one may delude you with persuasive
ness OF speech And il should be a mat
ter OF solicitgde 20 avow a course that
may lessen instead OF increasing that
power.
we naturally recur 70 the great com
mission, as given by the Christ, recorded
in the last verse OF the gospel BY Mat
thew, as the charter OF all Christian mis-
sions. and IL IS in these words: All
power authority hath been given unto
me in heaven and on earth. Go. We.
therefore. and make disciples OF ell the
nations. baptizing them IN the name
OF the Father and OF the Son and OF
the Holy Ghost; teaching them 10 OBJ
serve all things whatsoever I commanded
you. And. 10. I am with you Away. even
unto the end OF the world"
II is this incarnate Son OF God. thus
invested with mediatorial dominion OF
the universe. into whose name all Chris
tians are baptized, who is the Head OF
the Christian church and the source OF
all its power. IN all the intervening
ages He has been recognized and wor-
SHIPPED as God lncarnate, and this Is the
openly avowed faith and attitude OF
every denomination united and represent
ed in this mission campaign.
Terms IL an Error.
Il write you. Mr. Macfarland. as a
member OF one OF the churches 10 be
in the November convention
to respectfully and earnestly ask your
TO the very serious error. as #
plainly seems to be, in proposing 70
place before that convention, as It's most
distinguished and honored guest. and
before the public as its representative n
sound tho keynote Of its proceedings. in
its opening address, q very distinguished
citizen whom I greatly admire. but who |
does not worship Christ or believe IN his |
deity. This must be an error-un faux
pas-a false step, for It unfortunately
would place him and also the convention
IN false light and could only forebode
blshJing influence on the cause. Rely
upon It, the heartfelt sentiment of 1
Christians would be shocked by the in /
congruity and disapprove Il. not as a 1
matter Of prejudice or ignorance, but as 1
violence 10 conscientious convictions
need not say to you, Mr.. Macfar- /
land. that this petition, appeal protest |