Well, if I do
change my views and am converted to his viewpoint, I certainly will
retract my statements. But I think this improbable. The task of
converting me should be let out as a Government contract--in piecemeal."
Dr. Hillis was reminded here that a number of people were said to have
left the church last night in the course of his sermon as a sign of
protest against the expression of his views. Asked if it were true, Dr.
Hillis answered:
"I did not see many leave," and then declared that it was impossible to
imagine that war should not be discussed in the churches as it was being
discussed everywhere else. He continued with the assertion that he
believed it was his duty as the minister of Plymouth Church to say what
he had, and then made this assertion with a vehemence that was almost
startling:
"Whenever the time comes that I have to add God and the devil together
and divide by two in the name of neutrality, I'll withdraw. I'm not
going to sacrifice my manhood for what some people call neutrality."
It was on this score that Dr. Hillis came out with his unequivocal
declaration that he was against Germany and against the Kaiser.
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