Evening journal., 1914-12-07


higher in its councils than does the pastor of Wesley
Church
Mr.. Cooke says he informed us November that
II continued to print the Russell Sunday School
lesson exposition could not blame the ministers II
they advised their people not to allow THE EVENING
JOURNAL to come into their homes He did not say
that because. II he had, should have informed him
quickly that the daily visit of THE EVENING JOUR-
NAL into Wilmington home is harmful than
is the visit of narrow-minded and doctrne-bound
eoclesiastic, and that doubt the members Of a
household would look upon the visit OF THE EVEN
ING JOURNAL being infinitely more entertaining
and enlightening than that Of any pastor who might
regard himself as the sole custodian of the worlds
theological learning and the only thing standing be-
tween humanity and the bottomless pit We wish to
add that we said would not allow THE EVEN
ING JOURNAL to be used for the advancement Of any
sect or creed We allowing that all the time by
publishing church notices, extracts from sermons and
lectures and in many other ways. What said to
Mr. Cooke was that our columns open to all
sects creeds but that what desired was theo-
logical argument and not theological abuse. We inn
pressed upon him, time and again, that maintained
an open door and that neither he, the Ministerial
Union any else could close it. That is where
we stand today It is where we Always have stood 1t
is where we purpose standing. jew Gentle, a
Catholic. a Protestant, a Christian Scientist, fol-
lower of Confucus a devotee Of Buddha will re-
ceive in this Office the same courteous treatment We
THE EVENING JOURNAL the best and most widely
read newspaper in city and State. We are living
up to that religion and its fundamental principle is
the open door
What is religious truth to one well-meaning man
is religious heresy to another we-mealing man. Mr..
Cooke thinks the Russell scrptural interpretations
are heretlcal Pastor Russell thinks the Cooke in
corporations are heretca Some other eccelsiastic
thinks that both their views hereuca and so it
goes down the line II is policy to print all their
views and to permit readers TO take their choice
We are not so foolish to attempt the task of re-
conciing the conflicting religious thought of the world
Our attitude has been. is and will continue to be
one Of strict neutrality
Mr. Cooke says 1--WE believe Russels views are re-
ligous poison that benefit one" He adds, q
wish to say that have intended to reflect
in any way on the personal characters of any of the
followers Of Pastor Russell. only referred to
the tendency of his doctrine in to future pun
ishment TO break down all restraint against wicked
ness on the part of the vicious element of society
There is enough sin and vice and crime abroad in the
land to make the thoughtful think more" In his
letter Of December Mr. Cooke said, writing of PAS
tor" Russell 1--WE believe that his interpretations of
Scripture are not only farcica and absurd, but posi-
lively dangerous TO public morals This is hasty
judgment on the part of the Minister'S but the calm
mature uterance of men who have given their lives
to the study of these subjects"
IT, as Mr. Cooke asserts, the views of Pastor" Rus
sell religious poison. then it follows that those
who accept them must be religously poisoned And
again, IT, he says. the tendency Of the Russell doc
trine is TO break down all restraint against wicked
the part OF the vicious element of society and
the sim vice and crime in the world such
effects must be apparent in the lives and actions
those who accept the Russell doctrine In other words
TO follow Mr Cookies line Of reasoning to its logical
conclusion the Russell followers must be persons who
vicious elements Of society. estrainedly wicked
and afflicted 10 sin vice and crime Further than that
THE EVENING JOURNAL must be fostering such de-
plorable conditions.
We offered one test to Mr.. Cooke on Friday. He
evaded it. We now offer another and sweep
ing and conclusive It is that will exclude from
columns for all time. the Russell Sunday school
Bifle lesson exposition II Mr.. Cooke will submit a
list Of the members Of Pastor" Russells international
Bible Students Association in this city and State and
with st proof that those members vicious elements
OF society when they accepted the Russell doctrine;
that they vicious elements Of society now; that
in them the Russell doctrine has broken down all
restraint against wickedness and that the acceptance
OF the Russell doctrine has lei them to live lives Of
sin vice and crime. II Mr. Cooke hasn't such list Of
names we have doubt the Wilmington class of the
International Bible Students Association will sup
ply him with that he may make his investigation
and accusative analysis
II Mr. Cooke is really DESTROYS of obtaining the ex-
cuson OF Pastor" Russell's exposition; If he be-
lieyes ind is ready to substanta'e the cha ges he
makes; If he is not ndulgng in fancifV thought and
extravagant uterance here is his opportunity show
that the Russell followers in this city and State are
recruited from the vicious elements OF society; that
they unrestrainedy wicked and that they are as
result of Russell doctrine. living lives OF sin, vice
and crime.
We have never attended an International Bible Glass
meeting; have a list of its meflbers.
but willing to abide by the result the pro-
posed. IT, has been said, "a tree is known by its
fruit" and if the fruit of the Russell tree its men,
bers. let Mr. Cooke proceed to show crcumstantialy
and in detail, what sort of fruit it is.
SO much for test with respect TO the personnel
Of the Wilmington class Of the International Bible
Students Association. Now for infinitely broader
and more liberal Mr.. Cooke has accused us OF
Systematically poisoning society and fostering lawless
ness vice and crime in community, by PUBLISHING
weekly Pastor Russell's exposition of the Sunday