The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-04-13
Mr.. Taylor Replies.

Editor Of The Virginian:
! Sir-Pease pardon me for replying as briefly
as possible to the article in Fridays paper.
criticising my article of the 9th inst.
Replying to this article by paragraphs. Will
say in the first place that ! did not intimate in
any way that l was voicing the sentiments OF
any church Observation-Disclosures was
/ voicing my sentiments. | gave the holy writ
for every principle that I put forward
IF any church denomination does not be-
eve in what the scripture says in this as We'll
rs in other matters. so much the worse for them
What the scripture does say is that man was
made in the image of God and that he was made
free moral agent.
God does not tempt any man." but he does
allow them to be tempted. When he put Adam
and Eve in the Garden of Eden. ne placed zone
tree" in the midst Of the garden and commanded
that they should eat of this one tree
God knows the end from the beginning and
being omncient, He knew that Adam and Eve
would eat of the forbidden fruit
God has ordained that every man and woman
must he tempted and tried before accepta ace
by Him and says that He has provided a way
Of escape from every temptation
What you or | think concerning the matter
is of very little importance-we have only TO
accept the way of salvation laid down and
that way Is so plain that the "wayfaring man.
though fool. need not err therein"
In the second place l claim that the short
comings Of each member Of a church reflects
the church as a whole-Hnuch more, than do
the failngs of a minister attach blame, unde-
servedly. perhaps on the entire ministry.
In referring to ministers attending the
legislature did to say infer that
all were doing this. as | thank God that the
great ma joritv of them have their time employed
In more sacred work and in work more suited
to their calling
II. as he saws. the ministers needed at
the poles by all means let us employ the legs-
Iators to preach in churches. IT
dained from the beginning that the world was
to be converted by the 'foolishness of preach
ing and those who do not care TO continue
preaching as q vocation have many other
avenues into which they can direct their ener-
gies
Our friend has not replied 10 the principles
as taught by the texts quoted 9th, which texts
taken from the Bible.
IF the Lord he God Hin" and in the
way ser forth in the Bible and following the
examine of the meek and 1owv Jesus" who
said Glove them that hate and do good to
them that despitefuly You
We do NOT see where He excoriated any
sinner. excepting the ''pharisee who. He sald
"whited sepulchres"
not and not irving in any way
10 defend the selling drinking of strong
drink and no such construction should be placed
on my words However where drinking is done.
would blame the who does the drinking
rather than the man who sells the drink
/ though both, well all of us will have
20 give account for the deeds done in the
body
letter from a friend who IS very active and
influential in the Anti-Saloon league. compli-
mentng article and asking that make fur
Their contributions through your columns
! have time desire for any continued
discussion Of tho subject Of strong drink. It's
causes curses. etr. In fact, ! did not Intend
that article should he construed That
drunkenness is a sin. doubt, hut
there arr Others and sin Is sin. and all ain
I originates in the heart. The only cure for sin
| Of all kinds is the grace Of Cod in the heart
IF We put grace nthe heart by law. let's DO
SO, by all means and do quickly. We All
need this and those who do not realize this
need Il most
lastly 7 not discussing what Jesus would
do" under given circumstances hut what He
said aud dd-this lis far as any man may
safely venture
Not one Jot tille of His word shall mass
any until all he fulfilled
Yours truly.
r. T. TAYLOR
Richmond, Va April 18th