The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-06
Pratt City Pastor Also Criti- cizes Age-Herald for De- clining to Publish Letter From Him
MANY VISITORS ARE r PRESENT TO HEAR
 MINISTER'S WORDS
Taking "Romanism vs. Americanism" as His Sub- ject He Claims Church's
 Domination Is Widespread

Before large congregation at the First Baptist church of Pratt City last night, the Rev. R. l.. Durant, pastor, delivered virulent attack against Roman Cath olicism in general, and what he termed it's domination of American institutions, devoting especial attention to it's domi- nation of the press, with specific refer ence to The Age-Herald.
 He recited briefly the history of the founding of the Catholic church, as he viewed it, and dwelt at length upon the persecution which he said the church had been engaged in since it's founding He said the Roman church controlled the Associated Press, both political par ties, and that the President was con- trolled by Catholics, in that he made 70 per cent of his appointments to Cath olics. He paid his respects also to Sec retary Tumulty, private secretary to the President, among others.
 CHURCH IS CROWDED
 The church was crowded. and members of the congregation stated that about a third of those present were visitors from other churches, saying it was the largest gathering in months.
 MT. Durant's sermon, as taken down in shorthand by an Age-Herald reporter follows:
 There are several things that have led me up to where I want to discuss this question of Romanism vs. Americanism real bad. There are some things one never does unless someone makes them do it. There are some things we leave off doing until we want to do them real bad, and then we do it in spite of every body.
 My text this evening is from the eighth chapter of the Book of John, Believe not every spirit but prove the spirits whether they be of God
 Lest some person may misunderstood me. although I am offering nc apologies l want to say that the present discourse is directed not to any individual nor to any person, nor with persons, except as they go to make up an institution. The opposition l offer to Romanism is to it as an institution, and only to per- sons as they go to make up an institu- tion. Let that be understood in the be- ginning. I believe have got a tender place in my heart for all humanity, but there are some things that have to be said. I have divided my subject into two parts.
 HAVE DIFFERENT MEANINGS
 ''The first part is Romanism vs. Chris tianity. I want to submit to you that the terms have different meanings. It is said that the Catholic was the first church. that Christianity had rrs begin ming in this church. Now that is not true at all, and never will be true.
 At the time of the coming of Jesus Christ into the world, it was filled with Pagan religion. There were all manner of religions in the world at that time There has never been since then so many varieties of religion in the world as ex- isted. Many forms as a rule, were a most gorgeous kind of religion. They were splendid ;n their ritual pleasing to the eye and attractive to all the senses.
 "The establishing of Christs kingdom in the world at that time was great blow to organism. The teachings of Jesus were unheard of in the land. Even the Jews rebelled at it. It was of such a revolutionary character that men re- fused to have anything to do with it. It ltaught that all men were equal in the eyes of God, but men would not have it so, and great persecution arose. Men were slaughtered and Christians were forced to flee Jerusalem. They began to establish everywhere Christian churches and they sprang up III night as it were, all over the land. Their strength increased. Pagansm was up in arms against Christianity
 STARTS NEW SCHEME "The devil had undertaken to blot Christianity from the face of the earth. But he failed in his attempt to destroy lit by persecution. Failing in this eff fort. he starts a new scheme and he figured this way: T have an idea. I cannot crush Christianity. but will see if I can't work my way into it in such way that can destroy it's power.' The persecution ceased for a time. "The churches grew in power and some of them began to invade the palaces of kings and princes. The leaders of the church said, What matters it if the (Continued on Page Eight)