Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-15
County Convention of Christian Assoc
Citations.

The tenth quarterly session of the Christian asso-
Citations of Worcester county, being also the annual
meeting, was held in the Baptist church in west
bOrO yesterday, After an hour spent in devotional
exercises, conducted by Rev, MIR. Stackpole the
business session begun at halfpast ten O'Clock, Luz
cus p. Goddard Of this city, the retiring president
in the chair, and Joseph A. Dodge of Grafton see.
rotary.
After opening remarks from the chair, on calling
the convention to order, the following officers were
elected for the year ensuing
President, Col, j, II Gleason of Holden; vice
president, ID. A. Ball of Spencer, secretary, j. @
Adams of Worcester; treasurer, Ezra ID, Batche-
der of North BrOokfeld.
1t was also voted, on the recommendation of Mr.
C. B, Knight OF Worcester, to have an executive
committee of notices. than five to act as an advisory
board in connection with the other officers in order
completely to represent the associations in the
different sections of the county, steps being taken
SO to amend the constitution of the county associa
ton as to admit of this addition to the board of
officers. This can only be done at an adjourned
meeting, which will be the,next quarterly session,
to be held in February.
The remainder of the forenoon session was de-
voted to the hearing of the reports from the asso-
Citations in the different towns in the county, which
were represented to be generally In prosperous
condition.
The afternoon session was opened at quarter past
two O'Clock with discussion of the following ques-
tions: 81. Is the use of tobacco snful2 2. Is its
use al obstacle TO growth in grace and the saliva
tion Of sOulsg g. win opposition to Its use hinder
our specific work of seeking to save young men"
This discussion was opened, according to previ-
GUS announcement, by Rev. VIM. NJ. Parry OF the
Old South church of this city, who took the tobac-
co side, denying the snfuness OF its its being
an obstacle to growth in Christian faith &C., TAX
ing the ground that the use of tobacco instead of
being hindrance, might be an aid in the CONVEX.
sion of souls, In missionary work, under circum-
stances in which the practice of smoking or chew
ing tobacco was INDUCED in by those whom It was
sought to convert, on the principle that "Whilp
with the Romans we must do as the Romans do"
in order TO produce the greatest effect. This
convention as complete letting down of
Christian principles, and his remarks
were listened to with much surprise, though with
kind courtesy to the speaker At his request the
usual limit of time restricting the other speakers
was suspended in his case, and he was allowed all
the time he chose. When Mr.. Parry had concluded
there was general desire manifested to continue
the discussion, in reply TO his POSITIONS and several
members were ready with questions to ask OF the
speaker for further explanation of his views, so an
taROnistic to the general sentiment of the meeting
But Rev. Mr.. Parry declined stopping to bear any
of the arguments on the other side, or to answer
any questions, ana leit the churel, saying he had
given free expression of his views, and replies
could best be made to them in his absence,
Rev Bertus Judd of the Methodist church, West
boro expressed his great surprise at the statements
thought u minister of the gospel who took such
ground completely annulled hisChrlstian influence
As Christians, II was necessary that we eschewed
all practices and acts which corrupt the body, and
thereby demoralize the soul and character As
well might the argument for "dQing as the Romans
do be extended TO drinking, gambling etc, as to
their twin vice Of tobacco chewing smoking etc.
As well might a Christian professor appear with
bottle in hand as with cigar or quid in his
mouth, Is far as the immortality OF the practice is
concerned,
Joshua Freeman, city missionary Of the Christian
association OF Worcester, Rev, George ~. Gould Of
the Piedmont Congregational church Of this city,
Rev, Loranus Cr0well. presiding elder of the Meth
odist churches of this district, Rev. Mr. Wheeler Of
Rutland, Rev, Mi Fay and Or, Porter OF Westboro,
Cyrus Arnold OF this city, and others, were equally
outspoken on the same side some Of them speaking
from former experience In their own cases Of the
RIGHTEOUSNESS Of the habit and Its anti-thrist
tendencies, The discussion was closed by the unan.
imOus adoption Of the following resolution, offered
by Mr.. L. r. Goddard of this city;
Resolved, that this convention deems the use OF
tobacco an obstacle to growth In grace aud hin.