The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1917-04-05

Pastor OF First Baptist Church Does Not Mince
Words In His Rejoinder Heard by Large Com
Observation-Disclosures" and "Democ-
racy" of Catholic Church are
Considered.
Addressing large congregation in the First
Baptist church last night Rev. Dr. George W.
Mcdaniel replied those who criticised his recent
sermon on Romanism. He asserted that he knew
the sermon would provoke criticism, but he did
not on that account, shrink then, nor would he
mince "Criticism," he said comes from
at least five sources" These he discussed thus:
First, those who think ministers should not
deal with controversial subjects. They ignore
the anathemas of Jesus against the false religions
OF His age, the refutati0n by Paul of the heresies
Of his time, and the condemnation by John of the
mother of harlots These preachers fearlessly
denounced religious errors in words that burn and
letters that live throughout all time. We have
fallen into easy-going habit, when some feel
that sermons should never touch upon the perils
Of the times, when the minister should sugar
coat his message, and say naught that 0ffends. If
know my own heart, would not willingly wound
any mortal, but if the truth, preached from
this pulpit cuts, it will have to cut My ambition
as minister is not to be spoken we'll of by all
men, but to be a faithful ambassador Of Jesus
Christ.
Time for Frcemen 10 Awake.
Second, from those who gay There is no
danger of Catholic domination in the United
States, and the hierarchy should be let alone"
Have they never read, while men slept,
enemy came and sOwed tares among the wheat?"
How any informed Protestant feel secure in
inactivity, is beyond my comprehension Ask the
Junior Order of American Mechanics, the Guar
dams of Liberty, the Masons, and they will tell
you that it is high time for freemen to awake
Long ago Henry Clay said, This government will
pass through two wars, one over slavery and the
other with Catholics" and later Abraham Lin
coin is quoted saying, II do not pretend to be
a prophet: but though not a prophet, I a very
dark cloud on the horizon, and that cloud is
coming from Rome; it is filed with tears of
blood. The true motive power is secreted be-
hind the thick walls Of the Vatican" Lincoln and
Clay were far-seeing statesmen, and familiar
with the conditions of America today knows they
were not false prophets.
Sons of America, awake from your sleep,
And over your freedom, your best vigils keep
Third, from those religious pacnsrs VINO "de-
plOre the stirring up Of strife. Why should the
presentation of facts, though they be impalatable
to the bigOted, cause dissension: But suppose
it does. Did not Paul arouse bitter opposition in
Ephe8us, Lystra Phippi, Thessalonica and Ath-
ems? He was bounded and prosecuted by re-
gOnists who, like the ROman5sts, held that saliva
ton was restricted to their marrow folds. Did
lie desst? Not until his head fell from the block
in Rome. Suppose the Methodist denomination
passed laws that condemned our principles of gov
ernment; suppose their theology taught hatred Of
other sects; suppose their records reeked with
the blood Of persecution; suppose their present
practices We're those Of superstition, fanaticism
and laWIessneqs, wOuld there be any protest
against exposing them? Nav. thew would lose
their own constituency!
No Desire to be a Trimmer.
Fourth, from those sincere friends who "fear
you Will iniUre your influence" | appreciate the
interest and consideration of true friends, but re-
mind them that ! have never consciously sought
influence. Henry Ward Beecher once said:
Nothing so reminds me Of a cat chasing his tail
as after his influence The consideration
Of what impression the things we say ana dc
viii have upon the public makes trimmers, time
servers and politicians and this country is already
we'll supplied with such. I have desire to be
classed among them, thought by so doing l might
receive the praise of all men. Paul was a good