Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-04-16
The Philadelphia Methodist Episcopal Conference
and the Maine LIQUOR Law.


PHILaDELPAIA April I'm the Philadelphia an
nual Conference yesterday evening, the Rev. Mr.
Williams from the committee the subject of tenn
perance made an elaborate report treating at length
of the importance of temperance to mans present
well as future happiness and prosperity, the i'll ef-
fects of the vice OF Intemperance, and the various
means legal we'll neral. adopted for its abate-
ment but in defiance of all of which the deadly traf
hc has still gone on. bringing down thousands to the
grave of the drunkard, beyond which there is no
hope for the soul But never in the whole history
OF Experimentation the repOrt-has there
been manifested such of popular feeling, as
is rolling the country like the mighty up
rising of the ocean. Formerly, prominent temper
ance mer were left to manage the cause of temper.
ance, but now the people have taken hold of it in
masses, and seem to have caught the true light It
is believed that the day has dawned, that in it's
rising spreading effulgence will prove the downfall
of the traffic in all intoxicating drinks as beverage
and public opinion, indeed is fast setting to the
point of entire prohibition, the only means to OBJ
tain the great OBJ ect of temperance The commit
tee therefore report the following resolutions
Resolved That the of intoxicating drinks
be regulated so as to prevent and drunk
and therefore the necessity for total abstinence
Resotud That cannot expect that abstinence from the
of liquors will prevail while the traffic
ResofUd That this conference believe that nothing short
of entire prohibory law accomplish the true end
contemplated by temperance and that pledge ourselves
proper to induce the people under charge
to unite with in obtaining law similar in principle to
The report and resolutions having been read. the
question directed to be taken upon them sepa-
ratey. when the first and second resolutions were "a
greed to without debate.
The third resolution having been read, the Rev.
Mr.. McCoombs expressed his doubts to the expe-
diency of the conference adopting such decarss-
ton. rs it would most unquestonaby tend to iden-
tify them with one the other political parties and
thus prescribe their means of usefulness They
ought he contended to conine themselves to NOR
al suasion, and minister's to seek bv moral force
to promote the cause of temperance throughout the
land for by this intermedling as it seemed to him.
in political affairs, they must natural conse-
quence, prevent the exercise of that influence by
themselves for good which they otherwise might use.
Rev. E. 7. Way strongly advocated the resolution,
and declared his belief in the solemn duty resting
upon every minister of the gospel boldly to declare
his sentiments in advocacy of the law proposed for
without such law the most ardent and Jealous min
strations of the gospel were vain.
Rev. MIR, Sumption also strongly advocated the
resolution, declaring it right, and believing it to be
a duty to shrink from declaration or avowal of
right upon great question like this.
Rev. DR.. Hodgson though favoring the principles
of the Maine law and ardently and enthusiastically
hoping in God to it enacted in State debated
the propriety Of the resolution. There was prin-
cple involved that should not be lost sight Of It
was the question, whether the conference ought by
adopting this resolution, to compact itself for par
ticular movement, which might be believed to be of
political character. They might we'll commit
themselves to any other political movement of the
day. and could not but impair their influence min
listers by such actions.
Several other gentlemen advocated the resolution
with great earnestness. DR.. Hodgson and others
plying in opposition and finally the conference ad-
journed without vote, with the view to bring it be-
fore the body when it shall be more fully attended