Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1918)
I'vj'T- i-w'Wrm'vnrjf'-imiiipi' fw . The Commoner r JANTJA&Yy 1918 ' J o tri i Ifcs o J I 6q If) ZJ Pro TKe Rich Young Man The New York World of Monday Dec. 10thf published the following extracts from sermon delivered la reply to a suggestion from John D; Rockefeller, Jr., to .the effect that the Baptists drop immersion as a requirement for church membership. , "Two Baptist mlhistersthe Rev. Frank M. . Goodchild of Central Baptist church and the Revv Charles A. Eaton of Madison4 Avenue Baptist church yesterday devoted their sUrjnons to re plying to the recent plea of John D. Rockefeller, Jr that baptism by immersion no longer shduld be a requisite of church membership. "" " 'Go ye, therefore, and "teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the.Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you alway, even unto the -end of the world, Amen,' was Dr. Goodchild's text, and he said: , f , " 'The proposition to make radical changes in the organization, of our church was advanced by one of the younger leaders of our denomination, ' the son of a man who has organized a great business enterprise, that has reached to the re motest corners of the world. It has evidently occurred to him that if Ills father's genius for m organization were carried into the church, the " spiritual enterprise to which he applied, himself would become as dominant in the world as has the commercial concern with which h,e has busied himself.' , ' - "The preacher spoke on Mr. Rockefeller's 'dream which grew out of the contemplation of the great multitudes of men ,who arc lighting for the cause of righteousness and justice Jn this war,' and whose ideals were not implanted by the. church. He dwelt upon the pervasiveness of church influence-which he said w.as,everyr wherevand continued. ' ',." . . -4".H " 'So at the outset this slight putuppn the church, is gratuitous and unwarranted.' "Referring to Mr. Rockefeller's statement that the generosity and self-sacrifice exhibited .since the war began is the expression of an, in articulate religion, the minister said that 'an inarticulate church is bujt a dream a church without a creed, without a ritual, and without ordinances, but only a right life as its fdunda-' tion- that is his dream. Such an organization would not be a Christian church; .it would not come up to the requirements of a Jewish syna gogue; it would not be a recognizable Unitarian church; it would be founded entirely on an eth ical basis;, it would be a Society for Ethical cul? true, nothing moro. " 'Mr. Rockefeller's address is..-a subtle attack on the validity of the New Testament and the authority of Jesus Christ. An attack -on the ordinances of Jesus Christ established jte in. re ality an attack on the wisdom and authority of Jesus Christ.' . ';' "Dr Eatons declared Mr. '. Rockefeller had raised a very serious question, and continued: " 'The Baptist people in their origin stoodfor some of the greatest 'realities in 'the spiritual life of the world they fought fdr absolute free dom of conscience for separation of church and statefor the right of every man to wor ship God and to do his thinking In his own way t the fundamental basis of these views lay In the belief that religion is purely spiritual, and that all Christian men are on an equality spirit- " ually. Down the centuries these great issues have been fought through until they have be come the common property of the world. The question, therefore, is: Shall the Baptist denom ination cease to exist, havirig fulfilled its func tion?' - - - D"r. Goodchild protested against "an inarticu late church,"' and .suggested that the abolition of creeds wJould convert the church into a "so ciety for 'ethical culture." Dr.! Go'ddchlld is right. There are societies enough rijow- for those who want a creedless church;, a'ndrir any more are -needed they can be easily organized. It Is not necessary, therefore, for 'any church to abandon its creed in order to ac.comihBdtfte those who have' 'an aversion to creeds5," and surely no such change should be made -merely for the purpose of "securing more members., c ' ' . The J Baptist church- is a great insti tution with it noble record of service and sacrifice. It stands for a certain inter pretation of the Scriptures, just as the Methodists and Presbyterians stand for a differ ent interpretation of certain passages, but these differences do not prevent friendship between them and co-operation In defense of the spirit ual life against materialistic attacks. ThoMotal number of Christians is probably greater with division on minor points than it would have been with a forced unity in all things. People do not join a church because of the size of the church, but because It is home to ' thom and a church homo, like the home of the individual, does not depend on bigness but upon harmonious co-operation among the members. If Drs Goodchild and Eaton want a Bible il lustration to use in support of their contention they will find one in the parable of the rich young, man. t Judged by the WORLD'S standards the Master was- very much in need of influential friends, ancLthe rich young man gavo a very plausible excuse for accepting him as a follower, for ho had kept the commandments from his youth. He was, negatively speaking, quite an exemplary young man, but Christ could read his heart and discover his weak point. He put money first, and so, "went away sorrowing." He had "great possessions" and doubtless he had the social prominence that usually goes with great posses sions, but Christ did not lower by a hair's breadth the requirements. He lost a follower who would not follow, but ho built a church which will grow as long as those in authority have enough faith in their religion to refuse to , surrender the moral integrity of the church to please those who want to convert it into a dor mitory. W. J. BRYAN. A LETTER OP THANKS The following letter explains itself. Words fail to" express Mr. Bryan's grateful appreciation of the generous Words of his esteemed -co-workers: "Hon William Jennings Bryan, Miami, Fla. Dear Mr. Bryan: As general superintendent, legislative superintendent and legislative com mittee of the Anti-Saloon League of America, we wish to express to you our very great appre ciation: of the service you have rendered In help ing to secure the adoption by congress of the resolution for national prohibition. "As democracy's greatest prophet of reform you have many times rendered conspicuous ser vice for the right; never more so than In the present case During all the 'recent months lead ing up to the final battle, your voice has sounded the high note of idealism in this Ight for hu manity, has inspired your friends to confidence and enthusiasm, and has . sent the shock of alarm throughout the ranks of the liquor forces. This period of continued and distinguished ser vice found fit completion dn your great address last Wednesday night at the Metropolitan Meth odist Episcopal church and the overflow meeting at the First Presbyterian church before the an nual convention of the Anti-Saloon League of America; In your return to the national capitol for the final struggle in the house, and in your history-making and memorable reply to Mr. Gompers which, added to your unquestioned in fluence with the -members of the congress, did so much to put the cause- of temperance and pro hibition 'over the top "But we must not undertake to recount your services. We ..wish only on behalf of ourselves and our constituency to express to you our heart iest congratulations and good will and our deep est, sense of appreciation for your great service. "Generations yet unborn will rise up to call you blessed. Women and children without num ber who havo had to sit In sack-cloth and ashes, robbed of their right and despoiled of their best treasures by the greedy, conscienceless, lecher--ous traffic in strong drink, will not cease to thank God that He sent you to help proclaim the day of their deliverance. "May your 'bow abide in strength.' "Sincerely and respectfully yours, "P. A. Baker, general superintendent; James Cannon, Jr., chairman; A. J. Barton; Edwin C. Dinwiddle, legislative superintendent; Wayne B. .Wheeler, secretary ;. Ernest C. Cherrlngtoh. Legislative- Committee of Anti--?' Saloon League of America." .""- Why Not Anoftte Amendment? The manufacturers of intoxicants haViG ju discovered that It is POSSIBLE for the amend ment to bo ratiflod by thirty-six (carefully se lected) states tho necessary number although the ratifying states may not contain a majority of tho people of the United States. And they have discovered that a majority In the state legislature may not represent a popular major ity In the state. These discoveries are stated as if startling, and yet tho facts have existed for a century and a third without attracting much attention. If these facts have not prevented the ratifica tion of the other amendments already adopted, why should they stand in tho way of this par ticular reform? If tho manufacturers of Intoxicants though they have never respected the right of the ma jority before have really been converted to popular government If they are In EARNEST let them join with friends of reform and so amend the constitution as to make it more eas ily amendable Why not use the present occa sion to bring tho federal constitution up to date by making It possible for the people to rule? The constitution now requires the consent of two-thirds of both houses to the submission of an amendment why not allow a MAJORITY to submit? And, Instead of requiring ratification by three-fourths of the states why not permit ratification by a MAJORITY of tho states, speak" lng through a popular vote taken at a general election, provided, a majority of the pe-plo fof the nation declare In favor of the, amendment. ' Such a changG in the method of, amending the constitution would not only prevent amendment by a MINORITY but would make It possible for the majority to make such changes as they (de sire, thus putting the federal government in the hands of the people, W. J. BRYAN., (THE PRESIDENT ,NAILS A FALSEHOOD ' Dec..l7thl917l "' The White House, Washington, D. C. My dear Mr. Bryan, My attention has been called to a book in. which the author states by very clear implica tion that I demanded your resignation as secre tary of state because of language used by you In an Interview with Ambassador Dumba soon after the first Lusitania note. You may quote me as saying that I did not ask for your resignation or desire it, as any one can learn from my note "accepting your resigna tion. And this statement ought also to be a, sufficient answer to the criticism of you based, upon the Dumba interview, for I could not make, It If I thought you responsible for the misinter pretation placed upon that interview. iut Berlin. ,,. But knowing at the time all the facts I d not give the matter serious thought and may add,, in justice to you, that as you promptly corrected the misinterpretation, within a few!(days, after it was brought to your attention lit cojild not, have affected the diplomatic situation. Cordially and sincerely- yours, (Signed) WOODROW WILSOr",' In choosing members of the legislature that are to c vote upon the adoption of 'the national' constitutional amendment prohibiting the maiuv, facture and sale of liquors, dry voters j&'ould be, sure that the mantle of perfervid patriotism dofia, not cover the form of some representative of the.' liquor interests. The candidate wHo says that he, is for America and refuses to say wh6revh'e stands on prohibition justifies any suspicions!.. of his good faith that may be entertained,. , '" ' ,f Red tape is very useful in the tying up p packages to send to the boys abroad, but it, is & hindrance when used in the departments, at, Washington. As the surgeon paid toVtlie-.jaon with the inflamed appendix, "let!s cut it. out.' ' rrr . .,: i The liquor interests oppose the subm.Issi.9n; of national prohibition NOW on the .ground 'tji&t, they fear it will prevent a united support of jthej government during the war. Arid yet this!. is, , the same crowd that would, If it could," ja&ajcg ;,ii, drunkard of ejery soldier andJteavetbe!natlba, defenseless before a foreign foe t i i ' - -1 '..', 3. ''X, Tt ., A-,. .-. 1 .'