The Vashon Island record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1916-1919, 1919-11-20

rical exhibitions, card playing,
lotteries, horse racing and bet
ting, have been repeatedly con
dcmned by the General Assem-
bly,.
The General Assembly as is well
known, is the law-making body of
I the Presbyterian church, hence its
| decisions constitute the principles
of government for the individual
conduct of all the members Of the
church.
This public explanation is made
for several reasons;
First, as is stated, TO correct a
false idea concerning the stand
ards of the denomination itself.
For not only does the Presbyterian
church represent am appreeiable
doctrine, but its principles of gov
eminent are beyond reproach.
The explanation is further offer
ed in justice to the loyal members
of the Presbyterian denomination,
and, indeed, they are many. To
be sure, a general idea doesn t
change, necessarily, am individual
principles yet all prefer being
seen in the light of justice when
the character is open TO inspec-
ton, as the characters of the loyal
members of all true branches of
the Christian church are.
The explanation will also help
10 remove from the door of the
Presbyterian church a bar which
has kept many from entering. An
individual demonstration Of this
bar and its effect was made to me
a few days ago by the personal
statement. Il personally admire
many principles of the Presbyter-
ian church, but its social standard
is too low. This person is inhn-
cnced by the sentiment referred
TO; hence, while at the door of the
church, yet cannot enter because
of the sentimental obstruction.
The explanation is offered, also,
as a means OF light and as a sug-
/ gcstion for any vino may be ignor-
antly violating this law of the
church. in the event they should
be fortunate to get this informa-
ton.
To say that there are no Presby-
terians who act contrary to this
law would not be overstating the
proposition in question, but it
would be contributing to the Pres
byterian church an unmerited
prestige; for | doubt if there is
any denomination whose entire
membership adheres absolutely TO
all the respective UNCONVENTIONAL
laws. But it must be admitted that
much of the so-called church vio-
lationS are not Intentionally vio-
lations. Many OF the participants
/ in social entertainments, which
come under the church S condemn
alton, are not only highly respect
able and of high character, but
they are unquestionably religious,
But being ignorant of the church S
law regarding the matter, and con
scquently being void of the moral
restraint embodied in the law,
they become easy victims to the
social sentiment quite unsuspect-
ingly. The sin of the matter. if a
sin it may be termed, is in the pr
sonal neglect to study the laws of
the church. This neglect would be
bad of consequences if it applied
only to the respective individuals.
But the consequences do not stop
there. but the church is involved.
We are so apt to measure an or
ganization, or institution, by indi.
vidual conduct; and, alas it s the
questionable conduct that consti-
tutes the rule. But this fact de-
wolves upon every member, not
only of the church, but of every
worthy organization, the personal
responsibility of knowing their
laws. Were this done there world
be little occasion left for the crit
cism now generally heard. The
last reason for this explanation is,
that the minister stand regard
ing such matters might be appre-
ciated instead of censured. Every
minister is under obligation to
keep the rules of the chareh. and
not TO amend Them A silence on
I