The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-12-13

ACTION IS CONDEMNED.
The action of the Dutch Reformed
Church, in expelling not only the girl,
but also her mother and father. while
the case of the man Is to be "re-
viewed. was denounced by leading
pastors of various denominations here
today. They declared ii contrary to
the teachings Of the New Testament,
an expression coming forth in the
name OF religion. I'm which there Is no
religion, and altogether outrageous"
And the Rev. Cornelius Donsel,
the man In tho case, who came piously
back home with the declaration that
God sent him." and then attempted
to hide behind the woman's skirts
with Adams alibi OF "the woman
tempted me-" was denounced still
worse.
SHOULD HAVE AIDED GIRL.
He, the pastors declared. proved
himself a weakling in the beginning
and coward at the end.
The consensus of opinion was that
even If the church were unfair
enough TO forgive him and "make the
woman pay" he should be man
enough to square his shoulders, offer
the girl his protection, and suffer with
her"
But II both Trina and her
married affinity, old enough to be
her father. are truly repentant, the
general opinion among local pastors
was that neither should be expelled,
but rather should be welcomed back
by the church and treated with extra
tenderness for the very reason of
their fraility.
"Thc church is primarily intended
for the sinner" said ono pastor THE
person who doesn't sin--if there is
such a person--needs no church.
VIOLATION or BIBLE.
ITO expel a sinner, no matter VIII 1T
his offensc. IL he Is truly repcn -ars,
is not religion. As a matter of fac',
1t is a direct violation of the Word
in the New Testament
The expulsion OF the girls moth
or and father from tho church, on the
grounds that they may have known
Of the relations Of their daughter and
the minister, was described as "elto-
gether outrageous"
"Why eXpel n man or woman be-
cause one has sinned?" said the Rev.
DR.. Lucius C. Clark, general secretary
of the Washington Federation OF
Churches. embracing nineteen de-
nominations, and former pastor Of
Hamlino M. Il. Church. "The sinner
is the one for whom the church exists
And the one great teaching of God Is
forgiveness.
TT might be we'll to remembe
Christ's words regarding the repent
ant Magdalen.
I'm any event It Is not only up
Christian but cruel to make the girl
pay and let the man go free. That
may be the modern idea. 1t was mot
Christ's.
"If there is guilt, they are guilty
equally. A real man would not LEI
woman suffer for him.
TOO MUCH EXPULSION.
But there Is too much OF this ex.
puIsion from the church, nowadays
anyhow. Naturally a person should
not be allowed to retain membe rshir 2
in a body IL he continually and will.
fully persists In publicly violating al
its teachings and bringing II into
disgrace. But IL there is the slight
est sign OF repentance, IL should be
nurtured. 1t cannot be nurtured by
expulsion.
Even when there is no repentance
the church should strive to reform
rather than condemn.
This whole case, from what know
OF the facts as presented In the press
| sanother of those harsh expressions
OF judgment coming forth in the name
Of religion that has no religion.
Similar views were expressed by
the Rev. John G. Ball, pastor of the
Fifth Baptist Church.
ANY church should he very slow
about driving out n member. no mat.
ter what his or her sin" he said. "wC
all sin. Some, of course. are moro
flagrant than others, but God Is great
enough to forgive ALL
THE church is not TO Judge, but 10
reform. II is not to lpflict punish.
ment. or oven judgment. It Is 10
teach love and forgiveness.
The perfect man does not exist to