The Washington herald., 1909-08-02

call it what one may-is absolutely free
Of all political considerations. ny pen
has been used in defense Of this very
gentleman against a political assault on
his religious views. however variant
from my own. Il Is solely the incom-
paubility OF things religious that is here
considered. The propagandism Of your
movement is not for the spread OF civ
ilizstion and IT'S Institutions, but for the
spread Of Christianity IN the salvation
OF individual souls from sin, all else be-
ing Incidental and secondary. And re-
ltgiously, Unitarlans and Trinitarians do
not consort together.
Doctrine OF Trinity.
7 desire not 20 be misunderstood. and
feel enboidened 10 use g somewhat rugged
illustration OF the exact issue involved.
The great commission. cited above. IS un-
derstood by the prevailing faith OF the
Christian churches 10 hold forth one
God IN three coeQual persons. and this
doctrine OF the Trinity Is simply am
plihed IN the sO-caIed Apostles Greed,
and that creed IS the common symbolic
bond OF the churches OF Christendom.
just as the Constitution OF the United
States Is the unifying bond Of the di-
vers States OF our political system.
The anarchist repudiates the doctrine
and authority OF our political constitu-
tion. and hence We neither allow him 20
live IN our midst nor 70 enter our ter
ritory from abroad: and this is a justi-
fable intolerance, for the reason that
Il Is vital 70 self-preservation in the en-
JOynent Of our civil rights and liberty.
rQr1
Apostles Greed is an analogous document; ;
the very Quintesence Of that funda-
mental document underlying the very ex-
istence OF Christianity. IS the doctrine Of
the Trinity. This concise statement IS
capable OF amplihed vindicadon. did only
one dare dispute IL.
Calls Il IncOnEruOus.
Tho case. then. may nationally. and
without the slightest 1ustlhable ofrense.
be put thus: For an anarchist 10 be ar
ranged for as the honored guest. and the
speaker 10 deliver the opening address
IN one OF our political conventions would
be no more incongrlous and out Of
place than for a Unitarian, who repu-
dates the fundamental doctrine OF the
Apostles Creed, 10 be the honored guest
and opening speaker IN a Trinltarian
Christian convention. The individual
eninence, or popularity. or nationality
OF any one does not in the slightest alter
the case, whether Il be Thomas Jeffer-
son, Thomas Paine, the brilliant ". (.
Claiming. Theodore Parker. Senator
Hoar, or Chaplain Everett. or any other
OF the long list OF distinguished Uni
tarians I would be willing 70 include
also eX-President Eliot, OF Harvard. for
/ understand his new religion" 10 be a
projection into the future OF the antici-
pated outcome OF his present faith.
II any one dissent from this presenta-
ton, I enjoin him 70 withhold his ad-
jectives until he has intelligently can
vessed the situation, and then he will
surely have no use for such expressions
as bigotry. nllberality violation Of free
dom. SC. for they would then be seen 20
be e1usiOus Of ignorance and prejudice
and foul ISLANDERS.
II am fully aware Of the delicacy. as
well as OF the importance. OF the Ques-
ton on which I have addressed you. Mr..
Chairman. And I am sure YOU know
me well enough not to doubt that I have
done so from a sense OF duty; and trust
the considerations submitted may serve
70 show that II Is not mistaken sense
OF duty. Ny life work Is sufficient proof
OF my abiding interest IN Christian mis-
sions. seek your good. and would avert
evil from your movement so liable 10
stumble, as II is human 70 err.
May we not both say with Paul: Am
I seeking 70 please men? II were still
pleasing men 1 should not be a servant
or Christ
with cordial esteem, most respectfully
yours, SAMUEL sPAHR LAWS
lis Q street northwest.
Rev. DR.. Laws has been a resident OF
Washington for some ten years. Pre-
vious 10 that time he was engaged IN
church and educational work IN the South
and West