Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-05
CITY CLERGY COUNSEL
LOYALTY TO PRESIDENT
Pastors, Hoping for Best, Urge
People to Prepare for
the Worst
GUARD NATIONAL HONOR
War Advocated If Nations Chief Finds
It Necessary to Resort
to Arms

America first" was the dominant
thought of clergymen interviewed today
on the international cris s. Pastors OF all
denominations expressed the hope that their
parishioners would set aside any existing
differences and unite In the support of
President Wilson N whatever step he may
take to meet the difficult situation
Ministers and priests were unanimous In
their desire for peace but there was dis
position to follow the President even should
he resort to arms as means to defend the
nat ons life and honor.
Some declared that the American people
should stand by the principles of right. one
clergyman expressed approval of COM
pulsory military training, which he said
would bring all the nationalities of the
United States together. Others asserted
that the lives of American seamen and pas
sengers must be protected.
CHURCHES UNFURL FLAGS
At some Of the churches American flags
have been unfurled
IF we are compelled to go to war we
should go with determination to uphold the
principles of humanity" was the thought
Of several ministers
The Rev. Dr. Russell H. Conwell, pastor
of Grace Baptist Temple, urged the people
to wait and be cautious and said that a
few days may change the entire situation.
If we go to war he expressed the hope that
for two or three weeks so that the people
could think 1t over and learn the causes.
The time has come" he asserted. "for
all nations to join together and compel
every nation to sign document to the
effect that no nation will go to war with
out consulting all other nations. Then
there would be no more war.
1T seems inevitable that every nation of
the world will be drawn into the war and
that all the neutral nations must inevitably
follow this countrys example"
Floyd w. Tomkins, rector of Holy Trinity
Episcopal Church, said:
War among nations results from poor
spirit among individuals 1t is only when
they have ideas Of right and truth that
nations may become better"
Bishop N. b. Grubb. pastor of the First
Mennonite Church, Fifth and Diamond
streets. said:
II cannot for moment think that Ger
many will be willing to enter into war
with us. Germany might profit for the time
being, but surely Germany is not so blind
that she cannot see that II will mean the
gravest loss to Germany after the war
a hope for "a reconsecration of American
patriotism and the united support of the
American people behind President Wilson"
was expressed by the Rev. DR.. Frank p.
Parkn, pastor of the Grace Methodist Epis-
copal Church, Broad and Master streets.
URGES PRAYER
The Rev. Francis NJ. wetherill at Old
Christ Church, Second street above Market
said:
I'VE cannot help going down on oar knees
today and offering up our petition for the
continued ueace of our beloved country
The power of prayer is far-reaching and
should be invoked in this hour of trial
'rr the nation"
The Rev. DIR. Richard Turner, pastor of
Logan Methodist Church. said:
THE Administration must hold I'D the
dignity of the American nation and the
President must see that his orders are
obeyed. The lives of American seamen
and American passengers who cross the
high seas should be protected--but let us
hope that there won't be any conflict be-
tween this country and Germany"
The Rev. DR.. Linn Bowman, pastor Of
Spring Garden Street Methodist Church,
said
War is a calamity in every case. The
Democratic policy, however. has been fair
with Germany. War is a terrible thing but
there is nothing left to do but to protect our
flag and country"
The Rev. ]. Gray Bolton, pastor of Hone
fresbyterian church, said that every cti-
zen should be loyal to the constituted au-
thorties
IF there are any who are treacherous
and untrue to the country" he added. they
should not remain here but choose the
country that they can be loyal and true
to-"
Let all Americans stand by the Ad-
mnistration,' was the advice of the Rev
DIR. Carl l.. Grammer rector of ST ste
phens Church, "and show a united front 4"
Similar advice was offered by the Rev
DR.. Alexander MacColi. pastor of the Second
presbyterian Church. and other ministers