Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-28
!|ESTS AGAINST USE
0[F PULPIT FOR C|v|Cs
Open Letter, Rev. Thomas
nmes, ID. d.. Takes Rev. II. ID.
" Maclachlan, ID. d.. to Task.
uRCH is PLACE FOR PRAYER

|iSSser Says Those in Secular Life
|sto Better Qualified to Study Mu-
|iSapal Problems Than Are Those
Eupying Christian Pulpits.
IN open letter 10 Rev. II. ID. {.
i4ShlRn. ID. d., pastor OF the
Nlns street Christian Church. Rev.
SeSSemmes. u. D.. rector OF Meade
al Episcopal Church. criticizes
ner for addressing his concre-
HIron the pulpit Sunday night Oh
nicipal problem.
ere are many agencies and or
ASions through which TO effect
EoScrnment." writes DR. Semmcs,
onlS one agency 10 save human
1.-The church OF Christ" He adds
here are mon in secular life
rN5qualified 10 study and perfect
Tor municipal taxation and re-
Inan any man occupying a Chris
spulpit. With the number of non
can men in every city largely
iMbering those in the churches.
Semmes argues that no minister
ime for anything but his Masters
less He urges that when mon
to Christ civic questions viii set
lkSIilSelNcS.
hts sermon OH Civic Pride and
Treasury Dr.. Maclachian char
Eed Richmonds form OF govern
kssinadeQuatc. unwicldy and UNI
hc, and he excused his pulpiti-
eranco on a municipal problem
ground that Il was n topic on
Up. He declared that the city
ktraNaGant, especially in over
MI hn
hg for certain social and mumi-
improvements for which there
n SO much agitation.
bF OPEN LETTER
ON USE OF PULPIT
E6mmes's letter follows:
H4Richmond. February -. 1917.
sWDear Estceminc YOU
do,s"very highly I'm love for your
aSsalle," and having for YOU a
aSpersonal regard. growing on, of
ciatfon with you for years in
stfan work, 7 am very loath 10
lrSwith you publicly in any mat
respectfully one consider OF vital
prtance. 1t Is no less than the use
b Christian church and pulpi, for
discussion Of question of politi-
ECONOMY, and administration, at a
day scrN ice.
am aware that opinions differ upon
Eas upon all other subjects. There
some who think that the pulpit
|d not be put 10 better or more
Etical use than the discussion q:
ftions affecting the interest ana
arc of the people. and OF civic life.
you, as Il Christian minister and
porn and trained in the land from
In, I. .f
sacred traditions. must know
tic reasons against such use are
ger than those which are advauc-
favor of il.
< church of Jesus Chris, stands
ly and definitely for - sin.Ec
-thc salvation Of tho world
Gh faith ia tho Son of God. Til,
fr-ef tho Christian church is the
sm from which the minister. call
nd ordained of God. The prophet OF
W life. the herald Of a new right
mess. sends forth tho message of
to save His people. The minister OF
Ft is pledged TO devote himself to
study of the Holy Scriptures and
PIT aside, AS far AZ possible. all
ly cares and studies that he may
nitrate his whole mind and heart
the tremendous matter God has
5ted him with. There are many
les and organizations through
to effect civic bcttcrment. but
|-6ne agency TO save human souls
|church OF Christ There arc men
ocular life far better qualified to
and perfect plans 70. municipal
lion and reform than amy man
(pyihg Christian pulpit. The cf-
|Son the part Of the ministers OF
list to usurp the functions OF civ.i
lorities have usually ended ~ fail
and have brought the church INFO
tempt. rs private citizen every
lcher of Righteousness has Il right
Use his voice and Influence TO cor
!; evil WIG scVcr; he secs it. bu,
le arc raaS;ans why he should not
mis- pulpit TO publish his views on
cal and economic questions
h, rca,o!E are perfectly clear. II
an easy TASK 10 bring men 10
because 1t means that :, man
believe in ANA accept Christ as
n Of God, fcrsakc his sin and
unselhsh ana holy life Men
ereforc, slow IA conin. 10
With the number oC non
IN men in every city vastly out
ing the mon in tho churches.
lister has time for anything but
ster's business. Ills message at
ervice in his church. every day
rch is open, should be the call
st. And !, Il ! he lifted IN, will
II men unto Me" When mcu
Christ tho civic questions sot-
smsclves. Make Christians o5
td they arc better qualified to
it'll tho pcrplcXinc problems
confront every community life.
,as proclaimed in both ola and
stamentS that He has establish
house for the healing Of the
in that il is q house OF PRAYER
people Gods house il the point
tact with himself place Of
nion--a place in which is be
grace and spiritual power
Himself. proclaimed II. /, is
d in three Of tn. gospels The
is primarily the house OF pray
Of preaching, no, OF money
nor Of social service, nor Of
questions. IL IS the house uf
where men meet 10 worship
nd hold communion with Him.
rough such worship ana com
go forth inspired toy 70 uobler