The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1919-06-07


of equally important matters, but once-in-a-
while, occasionally, often enough to remind
ProtestantS that Professionalism Is not dead.
Professionalism is live subject, never
more important than at this time; for the
world cannot be made safe for democracy
until the world is made safe for Protestant
civilization, and that safety cannot be won
by silence.
Indifferent fOrgetfulness is poor sub
stitute for eternal vigilance; and Protestant
success cannot be other than in direct pro-
portion to Protestant alertness and aggres-
-siveness.
Professionalism was born in opposition to
papal authority. 1t has thrived on conflict
with its implacable enemy; and it is destined
by its own nature to either grow or decay.
The protest against pOpery must either go
forward or fall backward.
An aggressive pulpit is the architect Of
animated pews. An apolOgetic pulpit is the
concOmitant of empty benches. Militant
championship of worthy cause inspires an
enthusiastic following. Leaders who fail to
lead may look for disintegratiOn of their
forces, for patriotic people look to their pas
tors for utterance and elaboration Of their
convictions.
Speak a word for Christian civilization
which is concrete Christianity, and do it
without Difference to the enemy of that civil
iZation. Professionalism means much-or
nothing. 1t means nothing if never men
toned, never explained, and never empha-
sized. 1t means life, liberty, and happiness
if taught, heard, and lived.
Professionalism is essentially a protest
against pOpery. 1t is a protest against the
assumed authority of pOpes to supreme die
tatiOn concerning what is right and what is
wrong. The Reformation denied that as
sumption Of authority with vigOr that Grip
pied pOpery and made Protestant civilization
possible. When Professionalism ceases to
challenge papal supremacy in the realm of
faith and morals, Professionalism will cease
to exist; and, on that day, Protestant civili-
zatiOn will lapse into papal paganism.
Professionalism is the religious expression,
as democracy Is the political expression, of
personal and social liberty. The two are re-
lated elements of Christian civilization. Re.
cent events demonstrate that democracy has
its victorious military champions: PrOtes-
tantism is worthy of equally militant advo-
Gates.
But great popular illusion intervenes
Z Too many Of those who are licensed to preach
are Obsessed with queer ideas Of paciism
concerning pOpery. 1t has become fashion.
+ able to suppress all that might be regarded
as criticism of the sO-called Roman Catholic
church. The notion is too prevalent that the
enemy should be loved instead of being Op.
pOsed-that the enemy should be so loved as
to be tolerated no matter what its deeds OF
4 their consequences.
Consider briefly what set that fashion
what are its effects, and what power profits
from it. Then consider its effect upOr
American institutions and culture. BY whom
and how has this fashion been foisted upOr
the fatuOus dupes Of an alien propaganda?
It may be well to love our personal enc
mics, to do good to those who despitefulIy
use us; for charity is virtue when extended
: to our neighbor. But non-resistance is JUS
as foolish and fallacious when extended be
yond reasonable limit as that ultra pacifisn
which is too proud to fight for what is right
Relations Of amity are to be cherished
but not to the extent of sacrificing essentia
principles, and to the sacrifice of rights tha
have been bought with the blood of martyrs
and patriots. Protestant culture and pOpu
\ lar government are too precious to be los
by default. Sweetness loses its SAVIOUR whel
wasted upon an irrecOncilabe enemy.
It is false sentiment that deplore
Protestant opposition to popery. PrOtestan
opposition to the impossibilities of pOpery il
\ the only excuse Professionalism can offer fo
& its existence. 1t Is, moreover, no reproacl
that such consistent opposition is negativ
in. nature; for to oppose what is wrong an,
3 inimical is just as much mark of virtue a
to support what is good and wholesome. Ii
fact, the support of cause cannot be con
sistent unless it opposes the opponents o
that cause.
This fashionable talk about toleratin,
pOpery because PrOtestants and papist
should dwell together in harmony is tn
sickliest kind of illogical sentiment. SINGER
party Republicans can dwell together in har
mony with their equally sincere neighbor
who are party Democrats; but that persona
relation does not forbid Democrat from on
posing Republicanism or Republican from on
-. n.