Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-24
A QUESTIONABLE METHOD OF
APPEAL

HIT6H3
In advertising, the appeal to the at
tention by way of novelty, innova-
ton, something extraordinary. has
proyed so successful it occasionally
leads tho. seeking popular notice
into strange antics which in no way
enhance enduring respect for them
selves. Most of these seekers, how
ever. seem unconscious of this or IN
different so long as they gain the
momentary attention which the!
seek. This method of appeal through
bizarre effects-the method Of the
clown, by the way, when he arranges
his costume and general get UPS
likely to be productive Of serious
mischief; indeed. when employed with
the alleged purpose Of intoxicating
truth it really often results in con-
fusing and leading to acceptance OF
error in place of the truth.
This all, more which might be
written respecting this sort of appeal
to human interest is but evidence OF
a condition of things to be guarded
against, though there is little II any
novelty in shouting the warning
and one need not expect thanks for
the effort. However, there are some
things, the doing of which should not
depend on thanks. 1t is possible
criticism, although it may be just
what the notoriety seeker is after. is
one of those things which should be
done.
We are reminded of this by reason
OF certain statements made ny a
New York clergyman with the result
that he has been able to. fill his
church several Sundays in succession.
First it was a-on behalf Of ameni-
ties call it a very noticeable differ
ence of opinion with his bishop. A
little later 1t was discourse on the
subject: Should Christians and Jews
consolidate religiously?" in course of
which the Associated Press quotes
him as saying respecting the cruel
fixion of Jesus:
There was no written record of
the crucinxion until years after it
occurred. The fact has some OBJ
security about it. We don't know
whether theSews did it or not. There
is such uncertainty that l think we
can say theologically that 1t may be
passed over"
In a brief comment on this the
writer remarked that the reverend
doctor NOW doubts-possibly for ad-
vertising purposes-the crucifixion OF
Christ" This was inaccurate be-
cause emitting the words "by the
Jews" and called forth from an old
friends of the Journal, Prof, Free
man F. Burr, now the head of the
department of geology in the St. Law
renee University, an expression OF
regret that we had missed the point.
as he understood it. which he thought
very we'll taken. His reason for this
appears in the closing part of his let
ter: Il firmly believe, however. that
he is right In suggesting that the
teachings Of the Great Leader con-
lain nothing that could possibly be
interpreted as warranting hatrod for,
or prejudice against people ii race.
creed or color other than our Cwn.'
In this view of the teachings Of
Jesus the writer finds himself in
absolute accord, but the impression
we received from the reverend doc
tor was not in full accord with this
view. One libels the intelligence
which should be quite common IN
these days of enlightenment 10 sup
pose the public regard Jewish people
as responsible for the crucihxion of
One reared in a Jewish home ana
loving and working among the Jewish
people and whose followers were
made up of Jewish people while he
wrought in the life. Only the Grass
est ignorance could hold the Jewish
race responsible for what the leaders
of the Hebrew sutocracy. threatened
as they were by the teachings of
Jesus. did to maintain their authority
in the high places. Disputing the ac-
cepted version Of the history of the
crucifixion. on the other hand, might
easily inflame prejudice, for so sus-
ceptible is man made. And as for
anything it might possibly add to
brotherly love. that would be in
nnitesimal by comparison. 1t would
resemble. in effort to get rid Of
prejudice, the act of him who burned
q granary and contents to get rid of
4 lone mouse. But it doubtless
served the purpose Of the reverend
doctor.
If not. he is not out Of stock In
the matter of novelty and comes out
IN defence Of the execution by the
communist government of Russia of
Vicar General Butchkavitch Of the
Roman Catholic Church. In doing
eh's he assumes Butchkavitch was
proved traitor at fair trial. ANY
government would have the right
under such conditions to protect itself