South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-09
WITH APOLOGIES TO THE MINISTERIAL
ASSOCIATION IN THE LIGHT OF
REV. A. NJ EELLS' CIVIC
SUNDAY SERMON

ir we are to take Rev Or. Eells of Westminster
church. in the fun of his criticism, guess
We indeed. owe the Ministerial association
apology In his Sunday morning sermon. he takes
press task for signalling out the members of
that organization and appealing particularly to
them. when moral questions are TO be answered,
in preference to the other churches aligned with
the association. He says we have been partial"
anyhow. suppose he meant us. since the shoe fits
so well We can hardly avoid wearing it,
Ordinarily an organization of that character,
which years until perhaps just recently has
claimed itself the center and circumference OF all
movements tending the moral upift would feel
proud 20 have such Partially shown it, Evidently
have not kept pace with its growing humility. 1t is
a new spirit that seems to have taken hold of what
was formerly. in apparent wish sort of minister
trust" INDUCING the right dictate the morals
of the community. Instead of pride soeth before
destruction. and naughty spirit before "a fall" be-
their lstter-day motto it of old. they
appear to have adopted that other one: Whose
ever eNaltcth himself shall he abased. and he that
humbleth himself shall DE exalted
And so. as We take il from Or Eels address.
the Ministerial association. OF "abased through
the sef-eNaltation. pride and hauehtness of former
memberships would like 10 get out from under,
humblng itself for future exaltation. by admitting
that ministers not within It's folds. are also
pabIe having moral and civic aspirations for the
community. which they should be invited
pound. That would be shifting of some of the re-
sponsiby too as We review it, shifting part Of the
responsibility. which present stress of moral
rottenness naturally no one cares TO assume in
full
or course. Dr. Eells IS speaking only for himself
at least by himself-so far as the remainder of
the Ministerial association is concerned and per-
haps we should not attach too much Of the signif-
canoe Of his talk to that organization That ne
talked, however. pretty much the association has
acted. is az least crcumstantial evidence of his
having caught the spirit from somewhere. Besides
L. is ne who. q member of the organization. raised
the question in its behalf that all we have
To go by We quote his words that there may De
no mistaking them.
we depend upon our newspapers. We need
them 20 crystalline public sentiment. Both of
them have condemned official negligence And
this is the time 20 arise above partisan politics.
in their policy whether Intentionally
unintentionaly. the papers have been partial 20
pare OF the clergy OF city. When the
tion OF moral conditions has arisen the
portcrs have hurried interview members Of
the Ministerial association find il any
thing planned for correction of public
evils. But they have ignored those pastors
outside Of the association. one paper called the
roll OF the association. told them TO stand up
and laid them the blame for conditions.
but did not ascribe any responsibility 20 those
outside OF the association. What law or man
date has made that association or particular
ganzation the sole monitor OF public morals2
Are the pastors OF the Lutheran. Catholic.
Epscopallan and Jewish churches without any
moral instincts without desire &c better
conditions? No. I know some OF these men