Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1912-06-06
MUST GET DOWN
TO FUNDAMENTALS

Editor News:
Having returned to my home l find
in your paper of May 10th an article
by Mr.. Brannan in which he responds
to my request for certain definitions
and information. This article shows
me plainly that there is such a differ
ence in our opinions and ways of look
ing at things that debate between us
would be next to useless. However,
since Mr.. Brannan has been so kind as
to give those definitions, no doubt at
some considerable trouble and loss of
time, l shall be equally courteous. and
with your kind permission shall take
up the consideration of his article
through your columns.
My chief objection to his definition
of Christianity is that it is altogether
too vague, too indefinite to be of prac-
tical use in the discussion of our sub
ject. Therefore l would amend it
somewhat after this fashion: Chris
tianity is that supernatural and div.
inc religion given to men by God
through Jesus Christ. the acceptance
of which demands belief, first in the
existence of Personal God, an infin-
itely perfect Being, who created this
universe. and who guides and directs it
according to laws which He ordained.
Secondly, That there is in the God
head three Divine Persons, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Third
ly, That God the Son, took upon Him
self human nature, becoming the God
man, Jesus Christ, and suffered and
died to save men from eternal misery
and to make it possible for all men to
reach eternal happiness. Fourthly,
That each human being has an immor-
tai soul which it is his duty to save
Filthy, That this life was not the end
for which man was created, but mere
ly preparation for an eternal life to
come after death. Sixthly, That the
ten Commandments are the standard
of morality given by God for man
guidance, and that man will be judg-
ed according to his works here on
earth; the result of this judgement be-
ing either an eternity of happiness or
an eternity of wos. This defn itioa, I
believe, will be found to accord with
the creeds of all the orthodox Chris
tian Churches.
Now we come to Mr.. Brannan's de-
tinition of Socialism, and it is here
that differ widely and fundamental
ly with him. Before l consider his
definition however, let me call atten-
tion to one or two points which / con-
slider important.
In my last letter requesting inform
alton l asked Mr.. Brannan if he would
accept as authoritative statements of
Socialism "The Communistic Manifes-
to, " "The Gotha Programme" "The
Erfurt Programme and the Platforms
of the Socialist Parties in the United
States and foreign countries. believ-
ed had right to demand that these
be taken as authoritative statements
Oh Socialism because my study of the
subject has shown me that these were
the embodiment of socialistic views
drawn up by the Socialists themselves
in conventions assembled and because
the Socialist National Platform of
1904 had said, "As an American So
,ialist Party, we pledge out fidelity to
The principles of international social
SIN, as embodied in the united thought
md action of the Socialists of all ma
ions" and also found that the So
,ialists themselves boosted that they
belonged to no country, but were t-u-
y international, seeking world wide
brotherhood of men. Again, l asked
Mr.. Brannan if be would accept as
.uthorita the statements found in
he writings of number of we'll
,nown and leading Socialist authors,
including the acknowledged founders
# scientific socialism, Karl Marx and
Frederick Engels. In reply to these