The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1915-01-14

OCACI duO Lniuh IL SiOIlOUS W QiS
in the service Of despots And yet
the reformer Vainly thinks he can
get out among such ignorance as
that and reform and save it, Here
in America we boast we are a free
people, and yet we see all about us
millions who are utterly incapable Of
liberty; they not only refuse it, they
will not even do the thinking neces-
sary to understand it. And if one
tries to show them what they must
do to be free, they despise and starVe
him and obey the behest of their
masters to hound him to the grave.
Even the preachers who are sup
posed to be among the best in
formed and most benevolent men
we have, (and they are,) see the
world in spots. Few of them have
the Christ conception of the worlds
deep depravity and need. They
usually limit their vision to indi-
vidual sins and leave organized des-
potisms untouched and unrebuked.
What we call churches have narrow
conceptions and vision, and most Of
them are the subservient slaves of
customs and rules made by des-
pots to rule them. The average
church would starve a Pauline and
real Christlike minister to death or
get him out of their pulpit. Money
bags rule the church and the
preacher.
We have few men among US who
have the Biblical and worldwide
vision of Christianity. The masses
do not Understand the Christ, the
classes do not follow him nor teach
or practice his doctrine. We boast
about being sound in the faith, and
we rush to the Bible for precedent
to prove our denominations views
on ordinances, but we shirk it on
practice. Take this; "And all that
believed were together, and had all
things common; and sold their pos
sessions and goods and divided unto
all as ever lyman had need. Acts
2:44, As. There is the practical ex-
ample of the first New Testament
Church, Spirit filled and guided and
working under the inspired Apostle
liic ministry. Do you know such
church on earth now? You don't
That Scripture example applied now
would tear the churches to smash,
it would practically wipe out every
denomination. If you say Scripture
examples do not estab llsh duty, or
give us a law of Scripture interpre-
tation, then stop using it on other
things.
The simple yet awful truth is,
despotism, ecclesiastical and COM
mercial, has captured the multitu-
dious denominations, churches and
most of the ministers. They are
neither preaching nor practicing
Biblical Christianity, and they will
persecute any minister who does
preach it and starve a man who
practices it, The truth is they do
not believe in it, nor do they follow
the Christ nor even try to follow
him. This is an awful charge, but |
am going to prove it right now, by
the Bible. Now listen:
eff any man come to me, and hate
not his father, and mother, and wife,
and children, and brethren, and sis
ters yea, and his own life also, he
cannot be my disciple. Luke IA,
26.
$50 likewise, whatsoever he be of
you that forsaketh not all that he
hath, he cannot be my disciple. -
Luke 1888.
He that loveth father or mother
more than me, is not worthy of me:
and he that loveth son or daughter
more than me, is not worthy of me.
And he that taketh not his cross,
and followeth after me, is not worthy