South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-04-18
Bob Jones and Hypercr'itics- White and
Black and Dull Gray-MostIy Dull Gray

- OBJ JONES is getting IN bad. he IS getting ir
X bad IN a number OF WAYS When he said the
- other night: Things used 70 be white OF
black. but now they all dull gray he classified
society well that It put him IN bad from all three
angles Bob should have consulted satan's irnps In
and about town. before delivering that sermon: next
he should have gone into conference with tho an
sOrcary pious finally holding communion with the
half and halls. Then 20 harmonic the advice of
these antagonlstic and semi-antagonistic forces;
well, he should have kept his mouth shut and said
nothing
II you want TO find out all about the Christian
theology get a line on Christ;s moral teachings or
shunt yourself into atmosphere OF heavenly grace
in touch with the spirit OF the Most High-aI-
ways bear this in mind: The place to go in not Ia
a theological seminary. church Sunday school or a
revival meetng-but TO soft" drink EMPORIUM
somewhere public dance or a brotheI: a cigar
store mayhap; lean up against billiard table: or
~ you tired and need a scrape another good
place TO recne IS in barber char-IIstenlng TO
4he wisdom OF the tonsorial artist. Satan and his
emissaries. certainly they know exactly how cam
paisn should be conducted in the cause of Christ;
know exactly what the evangelist should say and
how ne should say It!
sun the learning OF satan and his Spokesman. in
these respects. sometimes sounds like Holy Writ in
comparison with that OF lot hypocrtical church
Ologists. with whom religion only form to cover
up their cussedness: sometimes prohteers in the
sweat, blood and immoral vciousness Of their fell
lows. Bob Jones should be careful to preach so
10 awaken the sleeping consciences and apathetic
disrespect that characterizes the public mind with
reference to the damnaton that turks in every nook
and corner OF the community. They are the church
folk WHO good ever coming from evan
gelsm; who scout it as sensationalism-and pray
for conservatism in agonizing faith like that OF
calf with the collie.
But above. below either OF these factors.
commend to the dull grays" suavely tolerant
OF both the white and the black-but especially as
rule. the Observation-Disclosures maybe or maybe
not These the naughty nice people neither
hesh FISH foul. to whom principle stands as a
cypher, with whom self qualification is their only
God and social afabiity though rotten to the core
IS their highest ambition. They too can tell YOU OF
course, where evangelist should butt in and ex-
acuy where he should butt out again. Everybody,
especially those who their inspirations from sui
phurous fumes know exactly how revival should
be run; everybody except those in the business
"the Masters business whose business II is to
separate the white from the black and consign the
"durl grays' TO- well: those fires OF publication
through which they need pass. TO burn out from
them the cussedness which they fain would hide
1erTlDier IL, tnat the cnurCheS or South Bend
should their efforts to revitalize the town
with something of a spirit OF civic moral and indi-
vidual righteousness?
Terrible that the church should by inaugurating
such movement. confess the rut in which it is
doundering and exhibit disposition to kick itself
Outl
We not surprised that many church mem
bers and otherwise should feel worried lest tSs in
oculation OF their minds hearts and souls with a
sense OF personal and civic responsibility. may lash
them into action break up the "slumber party
and perhaps usher in something nearer reign of
decency and right living!
This is attempt to brief Bob Jones infaIlibiity
the infaHibni;y of his methods-Bob Jones being
humsn.-but when we hear people railing at him
whirlwinds OF criticism knowing the source Of their
attitude to be selfish. if not grossly immoral: we'll
wonder how many fools they think there are too
fdiotic TO understand.
The churches OF South Bend need Bob Jones even
If his influence not to extend to another soul
II the present church membership were just alone
10 be converted Christianity, with enough religi-
spine supporting the thought to make It active
militant and willing TO do It VIII be worth all tho
campaign costs The evangelist is here If we under
many 20 want 20 suppose. but 10 pump some
kind Of manliness and womanIiness into the citizen
ship. that will cause them 10 do the cleaning-and
that is exactly what South Bend needs; let the
critics be hanged.
A TIL IN