Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-10-16
From tho Lafayci o Journa' h inst.
Tobacc, and slsvefy In the Methodist 60 Ter.
eass ". w. indiana Coufe. sace NJ. l..
SATURDAY, Oct. 3, 1857.


Conference opened ut o'clock, A.
N. Bishop Waugh in the chair, with
religious services by Rev. l.. Tay-
lor
The examination and passage OF
character of candidates for continu-
ancc on trial, followcd.
Objection was made to certain
brother, whose case was up, on nc.
count of his excessive use OF tobacco
which elected an interesting discus
sion.
j. S. Donaldson remarked that he
had heard that tho brother was an
absolute siGve to the use Of the weed,
and he trusted that the Conference
would give the subject their consid-
GRAFTON. Tho evil was IN old and
daily augmenting one, and demanded
serious attention.
Aaron Wood said that for his part
he never lecturcd slaves upon slave
ry; that tho man who was slave to
tobacco was not very likely 20 throw
off his chains for anything that might
be said TO him. lie had seen il too
often tried to have any faith in it.
J. L. Smith thought the whole SUBJ
ject might properly be referred to the
committee OH slavery.
Mr. Donaldson regretted that the
subject should DO so lightly treated.
Ii was no testing matter Hc had
witnessed scenes that were calculated
TO arouse his deepest feelings upon
this subject. In rcvivals he had fire.
quently hcsitated to invite ladies to
kneel at the mourner's bench in con.
sequence OF the defilemtnt Of God &
altar by tobacco chewing ministers
and the ladies who had kneelcd there
had informed him that they were
ii, kencd by tho nauseous breath Of
Gods ministers who kneeled by THEN
side to instruct them in the mysteries
of pure religion.
A brother observed that minister
who would spit tobacco about the
altar certainly could not erpect-fo-rat,
as a christian. He subsidized before
we could catch either bis countenanc,
OF name.
w. Wilson also hoped that there
would be no levity upon this subject
Some of us are now seriously hin
dered in the discharge Of our duties
by this practice. We cannot profita
bly, visit families rcligiously opposed
to the use of tobacco; and there al,
many such.
Aaron Wood said that he did mo-
wish to be misunderstood us being
friendly TO the use OF tobacco. Ii,
was filiy.five years of ago, and hac
never used it. lie would repeat
however, that il was useless to lectur,
brethren upon this practice. Whei
the habit was once permanently fixed
no did not believe il could ever be en-
tirely thrown off, at least he hat
never seen an instance Of il. lie haC
heard that the venerable Superintend
ent Bishop Waugh) had been thu
means OF emLncipating ono or TIVE
rom the filthy thraldom, but he hat
never yet ha an opportunity TO Sc
his eyes pDl them.
The BIZ IN remarked that no coult
show the BIO her number OF con
vcrts.
Mr.. Wood continued, 81 heard YOU
sermon upon that subject ut For
Wayne, and went home with the to
bacco of several of your inverts "
ny pocket, but since Il at time Il cy
have all. to my personal kpowleds :,
entirely backsIid.'
Mr.. Donald, o said that he know {
number who h I'd freed themselves
rom this habit, and still stood fast
\ brother was at his side who Gu / i
sight years ago, and has been a dc
sent man ever since.
; Bishop Waugh" May he roma I
aithfll to che endl" TO which ,
, Confercnto heartily responded Amen.
Tho subject was then dropped.