The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1916-12-02
EVANGELICAL DOCTRINE OFFENSIVE
TO ROME CENSORED BY Gen. FUNSTON

a striking case in point where he
made himself a religious censor.
and the third sinister and malig-
naEt anii-dcmocratic influence Is
the Roman Catholic censorship ex-
crcised over tho press and elsewhers
by means Of boycott. and other un-
democratic means 20 prsrsHi that
freedom Of discuSsipH that Is az
riial 70 democracy as Oxygen IS 10
me physical lifs u man.
nr. Duke. in the following mag
nifcent defense Of fundamental
constitutional rights, misses, we
think. the fundamental and impreg-
nable point At issue when he makes
the plea for the Baptists being per-
mitted 20 teach their doctrine re-
lating 10 future punishment on the
ground that IL is a belief that all
the other evangelical churches hold
and teach. The riidl poiHt IS NOT
ihc dogma iurolrsd. nor IS u hop
many churches bslicre The doctrine
30 question, bat rather fhs fundd-
mental fact hGt his little Uould-be
car assumes 10 dictate Whdi dogmds
cierqymcH may or mag NOT teach in
tents or places Of Worship Thcro no
ono is compelled 10 attend. This
autocratic action is absolutely OPP
posed 10 fur amcntal democratic
principles and should be rcsolutely
resisted by every man who does not
Weld allegiance TO some form Of
class rule which is in deadly antag-
ouism to the democratic theory OF
government.
The action is doubly indcfcnsible
because, unlike the chaplain's services
in the army. the soldiers would not
have been expected to attend any Of
these services if they did not wish
to do so.
General Funsion's dutocrdiic po-
sitioH is as opposed 10 TIE demo-
cratic position as IL is in perfect
harmony Wiih The RiOleruni posi-
iion Of Rome. n is the transplant
| ing from Rome Of the practice Of
Tie IRdcr, and applying that Un-
/ democratic. progress pdrdlyting.
reason lettering. and world blasting
Influence iH The american public
life, and it is the bounden duty Of
every Christian and every patriot to
boldly, determinedly, and aggres-
siyely oppose this anti-democratic
and pro-papal position of the
would-be military ear in his role
Of censor Of religion.
The following brilliant defense
was delivered as part Of a sermon
by DR.. Duke at the First Baptist
church at Tampa, Florida. Want
Of space renders it impossible to
give the entire discourse, and Yo
have therefore omitted a few para
graphs which were theological in
character and did not vitally con-
Germ the main Issue.
DR.. Duke States the Case
A few weeks ago Dr. J. B. Gambrell,
on behalf Of the state Mission Board Of
Texas, asked our Home Missions Board
Of Atlanta, TO send its evangclistie stat
20 the TEXAS border, 20 join with the
Texas Baptists in holding an evangelistic
campaign among the soldiers in the army.
The Home Board readily assented 10 the
proposition and the evangelisis began 10
make ready for the meetings.
In the meantime DR.. GAmbrell went 10
see General Funston, who is in charge Of
the army there, in order 20 secure the
necessary permission and 90 provide ar
rangements for the meetings. OF course
he assured the general that all proper
respect in holding the meetings would
be given 10 military requirements Dr..
Gambrell wrote in advance notifying the
general Of his intended visit and ac-
quaintng him with its purpose. Whes
DR.. Gambrell arrived General Funston
did not see him, but left a message for
him with his chief Of staf.
The message in effect was this: II
would be agreeable for the Baptisis TO
preach 10 the soldiers provided they did
I NOT teii tue hoiuttIe lneN were iotls be-
side this also he was told that the gen
eral did not wish revivals held among the
soldiers. OF course these orders were
final ~ far as the interview was con.
eerned. DR.. Gambrel conferred with
other Baptists, As a matter Of course, and
Informed the general that the terms were
not agreeable to Baptists So far, then.
our denomination is not doing any evan
gelistie work among the soldiers along the
border.
At the same time that this dictum was
delivered to DR.. Gamhrell the priests Of
the ROmauist and the Episcopal churches
were much in evidence, holding forth
their rites and ceremonies, in the camp
of the soldiers.
Needed Investigation Demanded
IL General Funston thought, As no
doubt he did, that this would be the end
Of the matter IL is apparent that he has
failed 70 reckon with his host. Dr. Gam
brell has taken up the matter With rep
resentatives from his state IN the nation
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