The Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1927-1930, 1927-10-06
COMBS REI,LIGHS AS
CLERK or RUSSELL.

while Massachusetts was max
ing things hot for the Auglic.
ans, Baptists and Quakers in
that Colony. So great was the
prejudice and intolerance Of the
lPuritans of Massachusetts thAt
Roger Williams, and Mrs. Hut
lchensnn and their disciples
were forced to flee from the col
ony into the wilderness and
there set up another colony,
Rhode Island. All this DESPITE
the fact that the Puritans or
lganally had been driven from
their homes because of the rel
igious intolerance and bigatory
of the Auglacians. But in this
case, even as it is today, often
hose who resent narroWness
and prejudice against them
selves are the worst in their at
dudes towards others. The
lay Of actual physical violencc
n religious persecution has fort
lnatey passed in theis country.
But have our attitudes chang
I'd? Are we still intolerant of
he opinions Of others in the
natter Of religious doctrines
The writer has. during the
est month or six weeks. attend
ID meetings or heard discussed
the doctrines of six different de-
nominations represented in our
country. He is familiar with
he bulk of the membership Of
these various sects in this
country and can attest TO their
sincerity their spirituality and
he honesty of their efforts to
3bey God. AL base their faith
on the Bible which their leaders
study asiduously and on which
hey are usually well Informed.
With us in almost every disput-
ed doctrine. Perhaps we are
light and they are wrong. But
we, TOO, must admit, in fairmind
lerness~ perhaps we are wrong,
The writer is not attempting
% discount doctrine or doeTinal
differences, These always have
)een and always viii be. In fact,
differences are in sense the
cry life of Professionalism. He
Expects to cling to his beliefs;
you ought to cling to yours. But
could we not be fairer to one an
lther in matters Of different
5elief? Is it not most likely
hat we are all partly right and
partly wrong in our doctrines :?
Should we not rather say 1T is
ny belief" or | prefer to thing
rather than the dogmatic state
nent q know" 1.-THE Bible says
o and, it can't mean anything
lsc? The Bible was originally
written in Hebrew and Greek
nd we read an English trans
alton only Many disputed pas
lagos could be translated many,
nany ways with equal exact
itude so far as the language is
concerned. One way was chosen
out it might just as well have
been another. Did enc Of us ever
step to think that there are
thousands of people, equally as
Eodly as ourselves, equally as
earned in Holy writ, equally as
arrest and sincere who differ
With us in almost every disput-
I'D doctrine. Perhaps we are
I lght and they are wrong. But
Ike, too, must admit in failmind
dnesa, perhaps we are wrong.
L would claim and do claim
f1Vine inspiration in their in
expectation if the Holy Writ.
he writer believes in an in
Is95red ministry nor would he
any to any, regardless of his or
er sect, Divine Inspiration if
I { conduct in the daily walks Of
! 70 is such that his Faith Is re-
\ ected TO all those around him.
II oW then can one. sect interpret
c9a thing in one way and an
c5hor in another way if both
ere DlVinely to teach ? We are
lc ,pght in a dilemma.
lNoE at it another Wey. We
r2testents daspise and reject
Il le doctrine Of The InfalIibality
"a the Pore. But ha claims to
b infallible only when he
rs 2caFs il matters pertaining
e tie Church and its doctrines,
7 hen their is q dispute over
the Interpretation of some pas
IsGge OF Scripture the Pope