Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-24
AFRAID TO USE BRAINS
IN THINGS RELIGIOUS
SAYS BISHOP LAWRENCE

Boston, Dec. H3.--BlShOp William
Lawrence of the Protestant Episcopal
diocese of Massachusetts in his sermon
in st. Paul's cathedral today expressed
himself on the theological battle being
wagcd between fundamentalsts and
modernists of different denominations.
Declaring that the Christian who
supports his faith by intelligence is
stronger than 'he who thinks not, "
Bishop Lawrence said:
The Christian faith has been a po-
tent source of the light of reason.
Some timid people are afraid to use
their brains in things religious. They
believe in simple. emotional calls and
ignorant faith. If our bodies are tenn
pies of the Holy Ghost, our brains
must be included"
The bishop said that the public dis
cussion of religious topics was not to
be deplored and that it apparently sig
nified a wide interest in problems re-
lating to the Christian faith.
Taking rs his text in HIM Was Life
and the Life Was the Light of Man"
Bishop Lawrence said:
AN editor of a New York daily said
last week that religion is the best
newspaper copy today. The question
may be asked, is 1t religion is the
discussion that has gone in the press
the last month. religion?' If by that
word is intended the personal relation
of man to God-no; but if in the word
religion is included many important
relations OF religious thought and life
Yes.
MANY earnest Christians deplorc
such n public discussion. 1t is of no
use to deplore; the discussion is here
and Will continue till people are satis-
fed, and while there are many dan
gers and drawbacks, there is much. it
seems to me, to be grateful for Is it
not suggestive that millions of people.
large proportion of whom have no
close relations with the church. are in
terested in the problems relating to the
Christian faith?
There may be much that is super
fetal, cheap and transient in the talk
but there is also much that is deep.
real and permanent involved. The
editorial comments, so far as I have
read them, have been thoughtful.
leverent and helpful. The reporters
as a whole. there may be exceptions.
want the facts and the true story to
report to the office.
Many people get their news from
the headlines and While, 2s a rule,
the writers of headlines are correct
| am not speaking of this discussion
only-there are times when they do
not seem TO have the sense of res
possibility which should so with
that important position. One head
line may make or unmake a mans
reputation. Untrue headlines which
lave no justification in the text may
sell papers a while but in the long
run the American people want the
TRUTH
Tracing the record of Christianity
in the upbuilding of the race, the
bishop continued, the Christian mis-
sionary among the heather and the
Christian physicians and hygiene
workers in our cities impelled by the
merciful spirit of the master are
bringing in physical life Whoever
knocks the Christian faith is knock
ing the greatest support of sound
boundies and good health of the
people.
Loyalty to the Christian faith in
wolves the physical health OF the
community.
'The Christian faith has been
potent source of the light of reason"
the bishop then asserted. Declaring
that some people. were afraid to think
in connection with religious topics.
he said: IF our bodies are temples
OF the Holy Ghost our brains must be
included.
THE Christian who in humility
thinks and supports his faith by in
telligence is surely stronger than he
who thinks not. The church has
been the upholder of literature and
science and culture. The monster
les of the middle ages saved the
classics. Through the consecrated
light of reason the gIories Of nature
have been unfolded this past century
as have the wondrous powers of
man.