Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-05-27
plousLx CALLING NAMES


PIoUsLY CALLING NAMES
Not few will find it difficult to
discover the leayen Of brotherly love
in Bryan's attacks on those who dis
agree with him respecting modern
ism" and scientific research. There
in one may scarcely find apprecia-
ton Of a desire on the part of those
who may differ in creed and yet
would cooperate In exemplifying
Christianity. Then there are some
acquainted with Bryan's career who
fail to find anything to indicate that
he knows what he is talking about
when he discusses evolution.
OF these some might hesitate to go
the length Of denouncing him as
vigorously as did Rev. James S.
Williamson of Brooklyn. formerly of
Augusta. Being a listener at one of
Bryan's lectures last week, in which
the speaker declared: 1.-THE
piodernists cannot send missionaries
to Africa-they have no message,
he naturally was one of those Of
tended by the statement. There are
some who entertain the idea that a
Christian example is worthy mes
sage, whatever may be its source.
Mr.. Williamson exclaimed: you
are unfair to us-that is not true"
whereupon Bryan turned on him,
saying: AFTER this I'll exclude the
Congregationalists. II they have no
creed and stand for nothing I'll
leave them OUT, all Of which appears
to be a sample of expounding re-
ligion according to the Bryan
method.
OF course he had the platform
that night but the parson had clear
field in his church the following
Sunday and appears to have made
the most of his advantage. The re-
porter records it that he hurled"
accusations at the peerless one.
charging him. among other things.
with being religious brawler". "a
peddlet Of half truths. ian enemy
to the Bible. with "perverting the
teachings Of Christ, with conduct
unbecoming Christian gentleman,
with religious bigotry and "abysmal
ignorance Of religion. altogether a
summing up that win cause rejoice
ing in some quarters, Indeed Bryan
himself is fond OF publicity and pre-
suniably regards all those outbreaks
as grist for his mill.
Whether anything or all Of this
will convince the African heather
that eminent, protested Christians
have really got a worthwhile mes
sage for them, be its label modern
list" or "fundamentalist". is a ques-
ton somewhat Swallowed by doubt.
Not all the heather, we are told, are
devoid Of intelligence, and some may
have within them that which might
respond to an exemplification Of the
spirit Of helpfulness. a spirit sc
rany have found in Christ's teach
ings. Will that respond to this
demonstration in Brooklyn? And
yet it is pertinent to ask whether
Bryan is to be permitted to continue
his harangues without being called
to account.
About this. perhaps, it is best not
to get sxcited. Bryan is Bryan and
any attempt to pin him down to con-
sentative statement based upon fact
would be futile. 1t has been the
experience of the world that truth
has a way of working itself clear
that. it will not long remain subject
to legislative or oratoricai mandate,
notwithstanding there appear to be
occasions when it becomes neces-
sary to fight to uphold it, to sacri-
fee to maintain it. When evidence
las been obtained and laid before us
there will be different conclusions
respecting it, but these are not ad-
5usted permanently by strife.
While scientific method may not
reveal all the truth, what 1t does re-
veal Is susceptible to demonstration.
Reasoning under appeals to preju-
dice is hampered, but if we may
judge of the future by the past man
will continue to search for the truth
whatever Messrs. Bryan and Will
hanson may or may not saw respect
ing it. 1t is regrettable, however
that such controversies tend to con-
fuse and embitter rather than to
clarity. but SO, it seems, we often
have to grope to our conclusions
along thorny. tortuous path, even
TO the goal of finite comprehension.