The Great Protestant Convention Recently Held in Dayton
By E. K. SLADE
DOUBTLESS many of our people are not aware that a great national Protestant convention was recently held in Dayton, Ohio. This convention was attended by men of distinction from all parts of the United States. It was a confederation of the different organizations and bodies that are in opposition to Catholicism. There was some sprinkling of the socialist people, and such organs as the Rail Splitter and the Menace were prominently represented. Dayton is a strongly Catholic city, and it seemed significant that such a convention should be held there. Six months before this meeting, arrangements were made for the delegates to have the use of a large popular hall in the city. Just before the convention, the officers were notified that the hall could not be used for that purpose. On coming to Dayton, they found great difficulty in finding any place of meeting, as the managers of the various halls informed them that they had been instructed not to admit them. Though this convention was of a national character and attended by men from all parts of the country, no more notice of it was given in the newspapers than would be given of the most ordinary event. In fact, I think that but one paper gave even a slight mention of it. At the same time, the Dayton papers gave prominent space on their front pages to Catholic meetings that were being held in the city. The large hall from which the convention was excluded was used during a portion of the time of this convention for a large Catholic meeting, and this was prominently announced in the press. We appreciate true Protestantism wherever it is manifested, and we cannot ignore the fact that a mighty protest is needed and should be heard throughout the land. But in this meeting, which was attended by Dr. P. T. Magan, of Nashville, Tenn., and during a part of the time by Elder J. J. Marietta and myself, we could see but little of the spirit of true Protestantism. In nearly all the speeches made, there was a marked manifestation of intolerance. They were of a most inflammatory and belligerent nature. Any reference to the Catholic Church or to any phase of its work was made in most unbecoming language for any one to use, and especially for Christian people in protest against that which they claim is a false religion. All the rancor and harshness that come of hatred born of religious frenzy were manifested by some of the speakers who were most loudly cheered. One organization in opposition to Catholicism advocated military training and the arming of its forces in order to make a stand against the Knights of Columbus. One speaker advised his brethren to provide themselves with good guns in order to be able properly to meet their opponents. After he had spoken with great intensity and earnestness, advocating a belligerent attitude and the use of the boycott, he paused and said: “I do not want you, brethren, to think that I am for war. I am not for war, but for peace. I am a member of a prominent peace league.” While we appreciate the fact that these men are permitted to see in this great system which they are opposing much that is undesirable and that awakens this attitude on their part, we certainly cannot approve their methods. It is not a battle of man with man. Our warfare is not with flesh and blood. The opposing forces with which we have to contend in this great system involve more than human wisdom and human strength. There are better and more effective methods than the boycott and the use of arms. Our protests against Catholicism will be wholly ineffective except through the power and wisdom that God is willing to give to those who stand loyally for right. It goes to show that in our work we must stand for the principles of Protestantism even though we are required to stand alone, and it strongly emphasizes the fact that we have a definite and specific work which cannot be well accomplished by uniting with such forces. Providentially the way opened for Dr. Magan to give a splendid address, in which true principles were presented. A large number of copies of “The Vatican and the War” were sold. This convention revealed the fact that there is before us a time of trouble, and that there is now pent up in the hearts of men that which will lead to an awful outbreak in the near future. The Lord's people should desire above all things to be standing upon those noble, everlasting principles of truth that will stand the storm. E. K. SLADE.