Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-11

effort to make men good by process of
ethical uplift," separated from all re-
ligious convictions, has never been nota-
bly, successful in any land or age. Some
thing more definite. inspiring, and con-
straining is required.
We have much sentimentality now-a-
days about all getting together and all
being good and doing good by surrender
ing every thing definite in faith and NOR
ais; but such a programme can never be
successful. The watering down of re-
| liglous belief into a thin decoction of
havorless aspiration and tasteless en-
thusiasm can not supply the moral tonic
needed for sustaining the Hottest charac-
ter. Saintliness requires for its nourish-
ment something having more body and
strength.
L There are enterprises OF both Roman
Catholics and Jews to which any goo3
Protestant would gladly contribute be-
cause such enterprises serve good and
useful ends; but he would not wish them
on account of his contribution to be less
Jewish or less Catholic in their character
and work To denature them would be
to destroy them, or to make them some
thing else, IL not something less service
able, than they are. They do most good
by being kept most true to the sources
of their existence and the ends of their
being.
Such 1 conceive is the case with the
Young Mems Christian Association. Its
name declares 1t is Christian, and not
jewish It's history and work shows 1t
| is evangelical, and not Roman Catholic.
1t will do its work most effectively by be-
ing itself If it is denatured, and turned
into mere society for general ethical
uplift" it will depart from the object or
it's founder, repudiate its past, and abb
dicate its mission. Remaining as 1t has
been, it is worthy of the support OF ell
the community, especially of the support
of the members of the Protestant
Churches; but if 1t Is turned into an
ethical society, it will scarcely command
the support of any church or the believ-
ers of any creed.
Mr.. Roosevelt doubtless meant we'll
in his speech at Reno; but he talks on
so many subjects, and with such agrees
sive and energetic confidence on all SUBJ
] jects, that he talks sometimes unwisely
and inconsiderately. He is quite right
when he calls upon all to unite in the
ethical uplift" of the community; but
he misses the mark when he insists that
dstinctively religious organizations
should renounce their religious character
in order for this to be done. The Young
Mems Christian Association has done
cities of the world, and this it has done
by being true to its object and its tradi-
lions. 1t will continue doubtless to do
much foR the ethical uplift' of the
world but not by renouncing its original
aim and breaking with all its past his
tory. When it becomes a mere society for
ethical culture, If it ever should, 1t may
still have a field to occupy and friends
to support it, but 1t certainly win not
| fill the place it now occupies nor receive
the support upon which it has been
obliged to rely in the past.
Mr.. Roosevelt's contention carried to
! it's logical consequences would require the
Young Mems Christian Associations to
elect Jews and Roman Catholics to Sec
\ retaryships, as well as to membership
on the boards of managers. A secretary
exerts an influence far beyond that OF
a manager and he receives pay for his
work. If contributions from Roman
Catholics and Jews demand that they
shall be made managers in order to avoid
doing them injustice" and a "grievous
wrong, such contributions would re-
quire that some of them be made secre-
taries also. Evidently the Ex-President
has talked upon one more subject before
carefully considering it. Perhaps he was
only trying to return. good for evil for
the treatment he received in Rome last
year. and If that was his motive,t he
deserves applause for his spirit, although
his ill-considered views can not be ac-
cepted.
The Young Mems Christian Association
did not deserve the censure of the Ex-
President. 1t has received money from
no man under false pretenses Let Mr..
Roosevelt give it "a square DEAF