The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1918-05-16
REV. HOERING ANSWERS AT.
TACK ON HIS PATRIOTISM
To the Editor,
Tucumcari News,

To the Editor,
Tucumcari News,
Tucumcari, N. NJ.
Upon my return home recently from
an extended Missionary trip TO various
parts of the State where ] had been
conducting u Patriotic Campaign by
means of addresses and sermons on
the subject of Americanism in general
and the Liberty Loan in particular, |
was much surprised to learn that mali
cious and absolutely untrue report had
been spread, not only in Tucumcari but
in Montoya and other parts of thestate,
to the effect that ! had refused to
buy Liberty Bonds" refused to help
the Red Cross Society" and was "crit-
icising and opposing the Government
in public statements.'
The first thought that occurred TO
me was, "An enemy hath done this"
and ! was disposed to treat these lies
with the contempt they deserve. But
upon further consideration, especially
as this thing is spreading like wild
| fire, it seems necessary to protect my.
self, and (what is far more impor-
tant) to protect my Church and the
work have been trying to do for the
past sixteen years in behalf Of loyalty
to God and loyalty to America. 1t is
my humble conviction that without
absolute loyalty to the Will of God, by
means of the ideals and principles
taught by Jesus Christ, real American
ism is impossible. Therefore beg
your permission, in the name Of Justice
and American fair-play, to make pub
lie the following statements. do this,
not in a spirit of boastfulness Of the
] little | have been able to do by the
Grace of God, nor yet in anger, but in
sheer self-defence against cowardiy
and unpatriotic enemies.
| served for four years in the End
Regiment of National Guard Of Kan
sas, ready to give my life to defend
America. then served for three
years in the New Mexico Regiment Of
National Guard, and in 1911 was hon
ored with n commission as End Lieu
tenant, signed by Governor Mills, Hon.
Nathan Jaffa, and Adjutant General
Brookes. In September, 1917, Of
fered my services to the War Depart
ment to go "over there" in any ca
pacity so long as ! could fight for
America and Justice, but because |
exceeded the age limit by few weeks
the Government very courteously and
appreciatively informed me that was
not eligible. However, should the op-
portunity occur, | am ready at any
moment to enlist in the United States
Army and to give my life for America
and Humanity. Is this opposing the
Government
Regarding Liberty Bonds, l have
given twenty dollars in prizes to the
boys of my Scout Troop for selling the
largest number of Bonds. In the sec
ond campaign my boys raised about
ten thousand dollars (about as much as
the whole town raised during the First
campaign), and four of my boys won
the War Service emblems given by the
Government. In the campaign just
ended, the Queens of Avalon and the
Scouts, two splendid organizations Of
loyal young Americans of which have
the honor to be the head, raised about
twenty-five thousand dollars. per-
sonally subscribed for three Liberty
Bonds, this being the limit Of my ca
pacity on a guaranteed income of $50
a month. In addition to this my
church and my Sunday school have
purchased bonds, at my instigation.
Does this look like refusing to buy
Liberty Bonds?"
With regard to my public statements
defy anyone but a perjurer to quote
any sentence or remark IN any OF my
sermons or addresses that has not
been presented in a spirit Of absolute
loyalty to the policy of President Will
son and the American government. On
Sunday, April 81, in my sermon on the
text, Honor the King" tried 10 make
the point that honoring earthly kings
must be n process which leads US to
honor Jesus Christ the king Of kings.
Nobody possessed of ordinary intelli-
gence could have misunderstood me
when | stated that "the War Crisis
revealed true kingliness Of President
Wilson and the Christianity of Amer
ica." In referring to the Liberty bond
campaign said: Buy Liberty Bonds
until it hurts you," is the modern way
of interpreting Christ's calls, Take up
thy cross and follow me-" and "Sell
all that thou hast and give to the
. poor" closed the sermon with this
statement: Love God, love your
neighbor, is the summary of the law
as given by Christ. Prove your love
for your neighbor by laying down your
life and your fortune for your poor
/. starving any dying neighbors in Eu'
rope, and buy Liberty Bonds until II
D hurts, until it takes your last cent
, Even then we can only say 1--WE are
improbable servants" for we have
made the most magnificent and tht
! safest investment in the whole world
=. Over and above all this let US add
e III it will win this war against Satar
I we don't care whether we get CEN
I of our Liberty Bond monoy back; ant
\ IL that's not enough we'll all 20 ovel
1 there and give the last drop Of oul
+ blood to make the kingdoms Of thii
c world the kingdom Of God and Of hi
u Christ. Only thus can America Prov
n herself Christian nation that honor'
y Christ the King Of Kings"