The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-12-14
LOCAL MINISTER'S WOULD NOT
COMPEL CITIZENS TO ATTEND
CHURCH Il YI-EGISl4ArloN
Continued from page y

kCOntlnueu from PdSe ~
Il could not be done and set supinely /
by while the opposition proceeded to
show them that nothing was impos-
sible so long as politicians We're sus-
ceptible. and likely TO throw their in
fluence on the popular side in order
TO retain their seats in the legislative
halls of the state and nation"
Where the tenets of the Alliance
are radical in the extreme there are
many liberal minded ministers who
agree with the principles TO a GER
tain degree, but are rather conserv-
ative in their views on the subject.
For instance, DR.. Davidson Of the
Broadway Baptist church Sid: 81 am
utterly opposed to any movement that
will compel people 10 come to church
by law. If | cannot make my church
attractive enough to induce people 10
come. l do not desire any assistance
from the police or militia, and | am
not in favor of any legislation that
will make a distinction in business.
For instance, some merchants may
keep their stores open on Sunday and
prevent their help from enjoying the
Lords day by going TO church while
others close Saturday nights and re.
main closed until Monday morning,
this is unfair, and should be regulated
so that all might have an equal
chance, / am heartily in favor of any
legislation that will be for the gen.
eral welfare of the public, but there
is such a thing as going too far in
any reform movement that causes 1t
10 loose force with the public at
large,
You cannot legislate righteousness
into men, but with proper teaching,
both by precept and example, he can
be brought TO realize that it pays 10
be a decent law aiding, God-fearing
citizen. and for that reason l would
not antagonize this man by the at
tempted enforcement of any drastic
laws
DR.. C. c. Weith of the First Pres
byterian church stated that he was
not fully prepared TO express himself
on the subject at present, that he had
not given the matter sufficient study,
but he did say that he was heartily
in favor Of a proper observance OF
the Sabbath day for the christian, and
that in his opinion it was not in ac-
cordance with the constitution OF the
nation IN which we live to legislate
10 regulate mans morals, Church
and state are separate, according to
DR.. Weith, and he said that any move
ment to compel a person 10 be good
whether he would or not would be
sbortive.
Di. Weith promised to express him
self more fully On the subject as soon
80 tie had time tc give it little
thought.
DR.. Ashley Chappell Of the Broad
way Methodist church said: Il believe
q in all wholesome legislation to compel
proper observance OF the Lord
day. but | do not believe that peo-
ple should be compelled 10 go tc
church by act {; legislature. l want
[, l. exc my Che.ch service so at
tractive that people will want to come,
and / think that is the proper spirit
that should be observed by all preach
ers who desire to be benefit TO
mankind.
The matter has been given but lit
tie thought by local ministers, but
all have promised TO have some views
to express TO the public in the fu-
ture as soon as they have had time
10 study the matter more thorough
lV.