The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-25
AN HONEST CRITIC
BY n. ID. Cochran

going to quote a letter from a man who Sc
verely crtcises me- and is because believe his let
ter shows that entirely sincere and honest in his
criticism. Besides sure that am right and
he is wrong. And think his letter shows that he is
good citizen. Anyhow I'm going to print it, It is
from Mr. C. H. Lane of Carbon Hill Alabama and
addressed to the editor of the Birmingham Post
1t says:
"A few days ago article appeared in your paper
written by Mr.. N. D. Cochran belitting the church
just what he is hitting at is yet to be think
from his line or reason he meant nothing whatsoever
He slams and bangs around and seems to finally de-
eide because two preachers a little weak the
church is no good. Just tell what is good, Mr.
Cochran.
Il guess you don't ride any more street cars be-
cause conductor went crooked; don't buy any more
groceries because the grocerman crooked; don't
mall any more letters because the postmaster failed
to be honest; threw away all your money because Won
found nickel with hole in it, don't go to the bank
any more because the cashier stole some money and
ett the State; and guess you will pack up and
eave the T. S. A. because some American was dshon-
est And how will you get off and where will Won
go? admit that preachers are not what thew
ought 10 be- but i love the church nd believe the
greatest institution in the world today the X K K
not excepted think the church is still Gods agent
IN the world ana believe the ministry still pointing
sinners to the cross of Christ pardon and peace
nave known the church since my childhood and honor
her because she gave my honorable birth my
CHRISTIAN parents, host of good friends and good
pure WIFE The church helping me raise NV family,
cause turn out to be failure in the world"
There is not line or a sentiment in that letter
with which have the slightest fault to find i don't
know Mr. Lane from load Of hay, from his letter
l think would just lieve have his word as his
pond imagine he is good neighbor and a good
cluzeh' Ills faith in his church-and | haven't the
shghtest Idea what church he belongs to-is wholly
comehdabe The happiness he gets out Of his religion
ana ms falth Is something wish every human being
could get out of the same faith
lie doesn't judge the church by one delnouent min.
ister neither do L. He doesn't judge Christianity nv
one preacher who doesn't understand the Christianity
Oh christ. Neither do l. And 1 am really clad that
ne belongs TO a church-no matter what the denop,i
hauoh-that has given him much of happiness and
joy in this life here on earth
While can't believe in the Ku,Kux K1an II 10
none OF my business If he and does do belie,,e
that the great mass of the membership of this order
IN which cannot believe, are as honest and sincere
IN their belief as Mr. Lane evidently is in his In their
devotion to their country, public schools and 70
1' tney honestly believe is a to what they
noo DEAR can sympathze, even though cannot ion
III elthef their fears their remedies
actually believe in the American Constitution
ana particularly the first ten amendments added 70
II through the efforts of Thomas Jefferson; and henco
peneVe In freedom of conscience the absolute and
ldlenapie right of every American citizen TO worsbin
and therefore in the equality before law of every
God according to the dictates his own conscience
to before the American Revolution both sides of the
american citizen be he Protestant Catholic or Jew
Yet am Protestant, with ancestry running back
family