Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-16

engagements awaiting me, thought it better T.
retire, that nv presence might not evoke similar
insults, and that THIS the convention might be the
better abs 10 sink personality into argument
and address themselves solely 10 the question at
issue. l. therefore, out of respect TO my self, as
well as consideration for the conference, took
the next train to Boston, where was More use
fully employed noes this look like cOwardice?
| am glad to find, by your report, that the con-
iefence were SO well pleased with the arguments
they adduced upon the opposite side in my alb
sence, and that there was such delightful
unanimty, although gentleman who re-
maiped after | left has informed me
that certain speakers look my side Of the ques-
toni but this must be a mistake, as there is no
mention OF such dissentient vOlces in your re-
port. The position | took upon the .obacco
question at WeStboro' was briefly this: While
would not advise any man to smoke, or chew,
or smut, most emphatically the use of tobacco
was not sinful; for no man can be a Christian
and take pleasure in the practice CT daily sin,
and here, as well as elsewhere, there are thou
sands of eminent Christians, cleric and lay,who
daily use tobacco. IL tobacco be sin, it is sin
all the world over; aud yet | adduced an in'
stance of a friend Of my own, who, through in
wiling Chinese in fekin to friendly meeting at
which he provided every man with pipe OF to-
bacCo and cup of tea, he was able by this means
to bring many to Christ; and asserted that II 1t
had not been for the pipe and cup OF tea he
personal contact with one of these souls. |
again proved that it was absolutely necessary
for native missionary to Arabs TO be able to
smoke, or he would be cut off from all inter
course with those whom he sought to save. And
yet, in sooth, the use of tobacco is sinful. IhuS,
God made the daily and sinful actions of these
smoking missionaries, the very means OF Drlng-
ing many souls to Christi Splendid logic and
magnificent theology! | recommend no man
to smoke; but thank God / am not fool big
enough TO say TO any young man, before you
can be saved you must put your pipe out, or
to any man who has already believed through
grace, "You can never grow IN grace if you use
tobacco"
The other part of my address was to show that
Christian associations by spending their time
and efforts in this ceaseleSs and useless war
against tobacco, were impeding the cause OF
Christ; and by stopping the way were retarding
the progress of truth and the salvation OF souls
by sheer waste of strength and abortiye con-
sumption of time. They were only lighting
LliputianS, whilst they allowed Goliaths and
Gullivers of vice TO stalk unchallenged amongst
the ranks of our periShing feOwmen. Here
was the sad and lamentable spectacle OF con-
ference Of Christian associations SquabDlng
about tobacco, whilst thousands on all hands
were dying In their sins, | took some pains to
point out certain giant vices, such as card play
ing and the other legion forms of gambling,
with uncomfortable monsters of lust which are
preying upon the young men Of our cities,
and which it would be more Christ-like
and noble to encounter than eternally TO be
lighting smoke. 1t was for this reason that
whilst | would not become an advocate for
smoking, ! would iearlesSly assert and maintain
that this anttobacco warfare was useless and
modifying brawl and that by persistenrly en-
gazing in it, by so much, were Christian
associations impeding and thwartng the spirit
ual triumphs of ChriSts kingdom. One word
more. Here is a specimen Of the association S
opinion concerning tobacco taken from your re-
port: CAS- well might Christian professor APP
pear with bottle in hand as with cigar or a
quid in his mouth, as far as the immortality OF
the practice is concerned" Smoking is uniyer-
sal; chewing ditto; ergo, all ministers, deacons,
and church members, who smoke, or chew, or
snuff, are immoral. What chartyl What ego
tistica hypocricy for this autocrat to imagine
that because he either can't or won't smoke he
is any better than those who both can and do ?
| suppose he is one of the few righteous in cur
modern Sedan. No wonder that the hard
headed, clear thinking masses of our working
men shun our church doors when such an effem-
mate, emasculated, uncharitable and un-Chris:-
like gospel is foisted upon them In the name oil
the worlds saviour who has too much love to
spurn any man from him though he may be a
smoker or may even "haYe a qud in his
mouth"
have refrained from arguing the question,
coutinng myself to the correction of the mac
curacies contained in your report, and the state
ment of the position maintained at WestbOrO,
which no one would gather from the report in
your to'days issue. Kindly do me the justice
TO insert this in Saturdays issue and oblige.
Yours respectfully, VIM, NJ, PARRY,
70 Pleasant street, Nov. IS, 1872.