The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-04-12
AN APPEAL.


square deal has been the voice OF
the people of this great American
republic since the days of Patrick
Henry. 1t is the pleadings OF the
innate sense of liberty and justice
which God has implanted in the
hearts of men,
Our noble government was found
ed upon the true principals Of liberty
free speech ard free press, and
any attempt to Muzzle either is a
blow at our civic honor and treason
able to our social integrity.
Every man stands guiltless before
tie law until proven guilty. This is
right. for it is the principle of God 3
own jurisprudence.
Men with little or no acquaintance
with Holy Writ, men whose activities
Of mind and body have been con-
centrated upon the business affairs OF
life are trained to recognize the gen.
eral rights of humanity and to give
and require a square deal. Then
how much more should they who
claim to be saints of God, followers
Of the Author of the Golden Rule,
deal out to others the treatment
which they desire to be accorded t.
them.
We have Christian denominations
hich claim to have suffered severe
prosecutions because of their relis-
ious faith. These have complained
bitterly because their prosecutors re-
fused to investigate their forms of
doctrine. refused to give them a fair
end honest consideration, and they
have quoted to them the words OF
st. Paul: prove all things; hold fast
that which is good" And those Of
the beloved John: TRY the spirits
whether they be of God" And they
have insisted that every honest prop
OF ition demands an honest investiga-
ton. We believe that their position
is well taken; and we make this same
llea for ourselves and for all others
who have anything to offer to
thinking public, especially when the
Bible proof is offered in support OF
the claim. A fair-minded public
can do no less than give respectful
hearing to the claims set up. The
Baptist Witness of July %. 1912, en-
n, esses the right sentiment under the
caption, Freedom of Speech Our
Safety" lie says: There is more
safety in the freedom Of speech than
there is in the suppression OF 1t
Discussions among free
people are necessary, that Is. real
discussions. a free press, a free pull
rit, the right Of assembly, free speech
everywhere is the safeguard of every
thing dear in life"
This is a fine sentiment and coupled
with the scriptures mentioned above
should be the demonstrated views o.
every true Christian.
This il the age of investigation, OF
progression and not of retrogressloh
nor of suppression. 1t is we'll
known fact that every live man is an
Investigator, every progressive sys-
tenn is ready for improvements AMI
every sect or cult possessed OF "a
uuickening spirit is ready for more
light; but he who shuts his eyes ana
insists that the knowledge of his
grandfather is sufficient sits In hope"
less darkness.
Those who would suppress investi-
cation. who would burn the litera-
tire of their Christian opponents IN
the street and would brutally assal'
their doctrine without fair ana
honest INVESTIGATION, are, to say the
Icast unsafe as leaders or mOlders OF
II OUGHT. No community, sect or per
son dominated by such a spirit can
hone to keen in the light which Goa
IL now shedding upon all lines o.
study whatsoever. So in the spirit
: WHICH Is the True uOspel?"' Hear