El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-04-20

] FlANlDE Ii EasO Herald
! THE sermons OF the Rev. John z.
L Brown. evangelist. remind me very
! forcibIy OF the old time orthodox ser
mons used TO hear in the camp meet
ings OF long ago. when "the horrors
I OF hell' and the pleasures OF para
T disc" we're the stock in trade OF the
[ parson-
Having for many years failed 20
hear these old threats OF angry God
In our modern civilized churches.
which have substituted the love OF
Jesus for the hate OF God. I had come
10 the conclusion that our religious
teachers had abandoned that old me-
dieval horror OF the dark ages and
that the devil had become so disrep-
utable that he was no longer mem
toned IN polite society I thought the
church had learned that love is the
greatest power for good IN the world
and that fear only made towards out
Of men. II seemed 10 me- until I read
ar. Browns sermons. that our
churches were indeed trying TO follow
(Sheldon's great book. In His Foot
steps and were teaching the real
gospel of Jesus that Service to Man
is Worship 10 God"
What can be more sincere worship
TO our All Father than the glorious
service OF our soldier boys in giving
blessings Of liberty? And. II, before
they so 10 the sacrifice, we Try 20
make their lives a little brighter by
giving them a dance in our church
their Fathers house-is il in the
spirit Of Jesus that Mr.. Brown desis-
mates our church a dance hall" when
we all know the contumely contained
in that name? Compare that with the
forgiveness and infinite compassion
OF OUT Best Friend. when. with break
ing heart. he said OF his mUrderers
as they nailed him TO the cross;
Father, forgive them, for they know
not what they do"
We liberals believe in the goodness
Of God. and deny the horrible and
cruel acts attributed 70 the All-Father
by the unknown writer's Of both the
Old and New Testament We readily
accept all the good that IS told about
our brother, Jesus; all the good he is
reputed 10 have said OF done: but we
refute as unworthy OF his loving and
compassionate character all the w
kind or cruel words they put into
his mouth. We believe that his whole
life was one OF loving service and
sacrifice for his fellow man
For the loving and compassionate
brother. Jesus. we have the most sim Z
cere and ardent love; but Tor the
theological creation OF the old orthO- F.
doL church we have only cOUmiserl- ]
non ana pity 4AlAh AQE q moment ]
o. that horrible theory OF eternal
damnation". To believe in the old
Church's Hell is enough 10 drive the
human mind insane-as our asylums /
testify % has done. Il IS the madness
OF ignorance and superstition It Isl
the darkest cloud that ever cast It's
shadow over the human
heart. Rather than believe that an
Infinite God would consiEn even one I
soul-one Of his own children-to in I
finite torture. I would gladly accept ]
total humiliation for all. But no.
Cod is AT least decent as you and I: I
and neither OF US would burn his own I
child NOR anyone else's) because this /
child refused 10 believe the impro1- 7
able tales told by men. living or dead. /
and had the nerve 70 express his /
opinion.
] cheerfuliy admit that Mr.. Brown I
has the right 20 belic.e whatever his I
mind accepts as true: and has the .
calienable right 20 express his be-
lief pu5lcly-so long as IL does not
njure some other person; but 7 do /
1ot think he IS justified In crlticizing
adversely those OF US who differ with
bis ideas. The days OF persecution
.o- expression OF religious belief or
iou-beief have gone. and some day I
sc hope even censure Of others for
Offering vita Us viii also pass.
Paul MCCoubs.