The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1913-04-19

Because this Il 90 the Menace has al.
most become a wonder and a world
power.
The law OF growth and development
was stated when the Master Of men
Illustrated u BY the mustard seed.
which q man took and sowcd IN his
Geld. which seed II the least OF ail
seeds. but wien Il "a grown a. the
greatest among herbs. Behold the
soWer went out 10 SOW. and the good
seed fell In good Goil and brought forth
a hundred fold. This 10 the history OF
the Menace seed and gives in a picture
the wonderful harvest Of 100000 sub
scribers.
recall the FIRST lssue-the handful
pf grain scattered In the prepared soil
by the "knov-nothings" and the A. p.
As. OF the quality Of that first mum.
Der the salutAtion Is 2 fair specimen.
20 we print Il In full, that you may rc.
ali1e that we have kept 10 our oonvic.
tons with steadfast fidelity.
sslutatlon.
The Menace was not begun In a cap.
tious spirit. far from Il. but with a pro-
found conviction that a very grave and
portcntoua menace confronts the Amer
lean people. that needs 20 be given pub
lieity.
The Menace has no hrht with the
Roman religion for those who like a.
~ Il relates TO salvation and the future
life,
The threatening danger 10 American
Institutions, n free church. a free press
free school the right of private
judgment IN the matter OF conscience
these the Roman church subordinate
10 the authority OF lie hierarchy.
We have many Catholic friends.
whese friendship IL of long standing
We have kept the peace BY rcfraining
from discussing religion or politics
We have always said % them you have
your rights IN these matters and 1 have
mine. With this understanding We
shake hands and 80 on our way.
The private. humble communicate IN
the Catholic church has no choice what
he II 20 believe-it Is for him 60 obey
the voice % the church.
The Menace takes issue with this
voice and not with the communlcant,
with the authorities that direct anl
not the man or woman who feels COM
PEELED 20 obey.
The Menace. therefore enters iegiti-
mate field OF criticism open 20 au
-vhcther he BE- Catholic. Protestant
Qroek or Jew. Mohammcdan or Free
thinker
. II the Catholic church 10 menace
20 American liberty ana free institu'
tlous, the people ought 90 know H.
especially the Catholic members.
The only frt tedom that Is worth hav-
Ing az all o. that which the Christ an
uUunced when he said. "and the truth
shall make you free"
10 Is not who uttcrs condemnation
against prlestcraft and ecclesiastical
Interference In things belonging cX-
clusivcly 90 the state, but n the charEe
trues
To assau the editor OF the Menace or
lee publishers win avail nothing. The
hierarchy must meet the impending
crisis which the Menace believes Il at
hand or be driven from the field as In
France. Germany. Spain and every great
nation OF modern times.
The Menace is not guessing az any
thinE-it is not nghting a man OF straw
1t Is sure OF its ground and rejoiccs
In the truth and the host of friends In
every nook and corner OF the world.
The Menace IL IN immediate touch
with name. residence and earnegt sym.
pathy Of several thousand men. II does
not have to feel ice way. IL walks IN
the light, knows where "a Is going and
whose door 60 rap 90 md admittance.
with this issue Il u up 90 our friends
to scatter the winged messenger. and
TO US az this end 90 keep sweet In the
love OF the truth and In charity.
That bow OF the editor was modest
was il not7 No bigotry, no desire en-.
pressed or implied that could offend
any decent God-fearing liberty-lovlng
American. I am sure. Have we kept
TO our purpose? Have we sowcd the
seed In carefulness and given Il TO
the soil In faith3 We surely have and
trusted 20 God for tho season and the
vitaliZing showers, for Paul may
plant and Apollos water, but IL Is God
who gives the increase"
There was something more than per
sonal wisdom that guided the hand
and heart and mind so that We chose
the time, the hour for the venture, and
set the platform high that would pre-.
clude personalities and doubtful is
sues We can't always say Just why In
the course OF lifetime We have moved
hither and yon and been forced to take
a stand and exert our influence. As n
Christian man like 20 feel that
Ny bark is waited to the strand
My breath divine,
And on the helm there rests a hand
other than mine.
really believe that III the mind Is
single the whole body shall be full OF
light" and that the sacred fire klndled
in the soul by the Infinite Spirit will
grow brighter II the will n set 10 the
accomplishment OF the high purpose
Of God for mans we'll being.
That first number OF the Menace had
some fear attached 70 Il but no mis-
givings. The held Of our operation
was the world. It's possibilities were
great, the cause was urgent, and with
out any visible backing. but our faith.
we sent the living message forth. clos
ing one OF the editorials with these
words:
The logic Of events say now is the
time and new the hour for battle. Be
lieving this with all cur hearts We send
the Menace forth loaded with facts and
rich IN fHith and hope and charity.
Lime up. Oh men Of COURAGEOUS
heart and All the trenches on the Fir
Inc Line.
We we're not disappointed fer the re-
sponse seemed 70 be instantaneous aud
the s1bscriptions rolled in BON near