New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-06-18
DIR. SPRINGS TOBACCO-BOX.

The fame Of this piece of ecclesiastical furniture has
already gone over the face Of great part of chris
tendon. II is in history that patriarch of piety and
orthodoxy, before the eyes of vast Christian assem-
bly, loosely offered his box of vile, venomous weed
to a brother minister, and drew down the house in
burst Of laul liter and applause.
Is this trivial occurrerc without any moral bear
ipgl No, 80. IL will have practical weight in con-
trolling the opinions and the conduct of muttudes.
In the first place, DIR. Spring in that act, poured
ridcule upon the very Institution of which he stood
up as the defender With a merry flip of his finger
he scoffcd at the American Tract Societys pubhca-
tions against the use of tobacco, saying, virtually
that they were the sentences Of intellectual senty.
"See here" said that tobacco box, we gathered
representatives of the American Tract Society, ye
grave members of the Publication Committee, see here
how laugh at ye Silly people to publish your mani
feso against delicious narcotic in the face OF the de-
ter1nired practice of Doctors of Divinity Ike myself.
| wonder if the Committee didn't feel themselves COM
pimented VIII they take the ovial Doctor ironcal
hint and melt over their stereotype plates on tobacco
into leaden arguments on faith and repentance In
the second place the Rev. DR.. Spring lends the dignity
of his name and position to the espOusel OF tobacco
chewing practice not only go innocuous a. TO De
tolerated but so honorable a. TO be worthy ~ an &C.
clesatical parade before the representatives OF Amer
can Christianity
We were hoping that the good time was coming
when ministers Of the Gospel would at least be unob-
trusivc in the indulgence of this filthy practice. There
are many ministers who persist in II, to the detrment
Of their health in violation Of their conscences be.
side with most balefu effects in the stimulation OF
their lower nature but in looking at this sad state of
things have consoled ourselves with the assurance
that almost every man of them was heartily ashamed
of himself. Will DR.. Spring example psraded jo-
cosey in the Academy of Music, soothe all these re-.
proving copscieIces and wipe out these ministerial
bushes
What will Young ministers say who are just stepping
out of Princeton 10 preach the Gospel, a not incon
siderable proportion Of whom doubt, are addicted
10 this Injurious practice Will they he likely Ia
quote this dignhed precedent? In pleading with an
elder of my church the other day to give up the habit
of tobacco chewing which is sapping the very ioun
datious of his physical vigor he replied triumphanty
" shall not give il up long as have such hacker.
as the Rev. DR.. and the Rev. DIR. ----- Of
our city," What viii he say when the patriarch
of the ld.SchOol Presbyterianism steps IN as Ms
champion | fear my elder is impreguabe.
Let II not be forgotten, however that DIR. Spnng :
tobacco-boy IL il made of gold an1 Oestud
ded with diamonds, and IT, owner, even II he were
Abraham Isaac and Jacob, triple unit ol sanciiy
ard orthodoxy cannot annihilste the laws OF God,
which laws declare the If this weed 10 be grew
Gus outrage against physical health and powerful
simulaut to moral impuriy In the face OF TINS high
ecclesiastical precedent il is yet fact that tobacco
chewing is foul plaguc-spot upon practical Tins
tiantv and an especial mark Of disgrace upon our
American ministry. a IkEsBiTERIAN IA>Iuh.