The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-01-09
OPEN LETTER FROM REV. J. G.
GLASS
70 the Editor Ocala Banner:


Ocala Winter Chautauqua is be
fore me- May trespass on
your space TO call attention to one
feature OF The program against
which feel called upon very cour-
! teously and kindly but firmly to OBJ
iecJ. The motive and purpose OF the
proposed Chautauqua is perfectly
D, oper and correct. and there are
I some features OF the Chautauqua
| work which We can all heartily
| commend. But this especial Chau
tauqua is to be held under the au
spices Of the Marion County Board
Of Trade, an organization whose spe-
cihc and avowed purpose is TO ad-
yertise and advance the material
! prosperity Of Ocala and Marion
county. The organization is thor
oughly worthy Of the united support
men Of this community | am sure
my good friend. the secretary of the
Board OF Trade, would not and
could not willingly or consciously be
guilty of any discourtesy, nor would
he be willing to take liberties with
any mans name or calling in life.
And yet, in placing my name on the
program Of the opening session of
the Chautauqua. Sunday March 1,
h. has quite unconsciously, done
! both the one and the other
/ regret exceedingly that l was not
consulted in reference TO the use Of
my name. and my official position
en- that occasion, and that this COM
munication could have been avoid
! ed l am, OF course, speaking only
for myself. My brethren of the
ministry of other Christian bodies
may hold other views, and | do not
speak for them.
The unauthorized use OF my name
Oh a program intended for use on
Sunday. and which has doubtless
/ been widely circulated, calls for this
public request that correction be
made. and my name be removed
from the program itself.
In the first place. as a minister, /
wish to say that the Marion County
Beard OF Trade has gone beyond its
legitimate limits. and taken a lib
erty in calling an "InterdenOmina-
tional Mass Meeting" on Sunday aft
elnoon. purposing to take an offer
irg" for defraying the expenses of
local commercial body; and ipvit-
ing the public under the guise Of
religious meeting OF any kind, 10
listen to a lecture-sermon TO be de
Ii cred by woman.
Ny criticism includes also the
! program for Sunday. March S, when
yesrer service whatever that
may be-is to be conducted by d
woman. assisted BY the local min
i~ters The announcement is in
elusive. and as such. Includes me. It
might al least he presumed that
some one OF the local ministers
might be competent. if it should be
desired. to conduct vesper service,
unaided by a visiting feature of the
Chautauqua.
An INSTRUMENTATION Mass
Meeting" means a meeting for relg-
ious and devotional purposes, by the
Christian bodies, or denominations,
OF any community And my protest
is against the principle involved in
the use OF any such meeting IN the
interests OF the Chautauqua. 1t is
cCmmercializing the Lords Day. 1t
* using the official position of the
ministers of the city to boost com
merciai enterprise, by placing pc
hind il the moral weight and sup
mort Of the Christian ministry. 1t IS
asking them to stand sponsor on
nrh1ic platform for the utterances
and convictions Of totally unknown
ard irresponsible strangers. And as
such. it is utterly wrong. What we
ere needing today is less entertain
ment on Sunday, and more Wiling
ness 10 listen to the preaching OF
the gospel of salvation to genera
ton only too much given to self
Indulgence. Men have in great
measure lost the idea OF worship of
God on Sunday, and want TO be en-
tertained. And so far as we of the
Christian ministry yield to this de-
mand, will We be unfair TO those
over whom we have been placed as
pastors and overseers.
Jas G. Glass,
Rector Grace Church.