Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-06-27
Temperance.
THE TOBACCO PROBLEM.

'ReSOtUed, /, That we advise all our
ministers and members to abstain from
the use of tobacco, as injurious to both
soul and body.
"ReSolred, 2. That we recommend to
the annual conferences to require candi-
dates for admission to be free from the
habit, as hurtful to their acceptability |
and usefulness among our people"
The English Wesleyans will not re-
ceivc into the ministry man addicted
to the use of the noxious weed and
Bishop James, of our own country. cheers
us by his avowed belief that the time
will come when congregations will not
accept pastor who uses it.
The New York State Congregational
Association few years since adopted,
without dissent, the following resolu-
tions:
81. That the tobacco habit is an enor-
NOUS evil; and, on account of Its waste
of money, positive injuries to health,
and pernicious example to the young.
Christians ought to abandon it.
az. That this Association earnestly
recommend to all our churches thorough
measures for instructing the people as to
the manifold mischiefs flowing from the
use of narcotic drugs, as well as drinks;
and that special efforts be made to guard
children and youth from any and every
use of tobacco"
A Baptist missionary in India, writ
ing of the interest in the mission work
by the native helpers, states that they
have resolved to abandon tobacco and
the betel nut, which mas similar effect,
and to give the money thus saved to the
good cause. Why not send some Of these
converted, sin-renouncing Indians to this
country, that they may exhort alike all
tobacco-sinners and all tobaeco-Chris-
tlans to cast their detestable idols to
the moles and bats, and to consecrate
the gold and silver thus redeemed to the
service of the one living and true God :?
At one of the annual meetings of an
English anti-tobacco society the chair
man stated that they had met in the
name of science. humanity, and Chris
tianity. to enter their most solemn pro-
test against the growing use of tobacco.
The following resolution was moved by
DIR. Edmunds, of London:
"That this meeting impressed with a
deep conviction of the physical, mental,
and moral evils resulting from the use
of tobacco, and regarding with profound
alarm and apprehension the rapidly ex-
tending habit of smoking amongst the
youth of our country. calls upon parents
Sunday-school teachers. members and
ministers of Christian churches. and all
true patriots and philanthropists to dis
countenance the practice to the utmost
both by precept and example"
cannot forbear here to quote one Oh
two passages from the humorously effect
i've remonstrance of "a Smoking Minis
ter" In writing to The Adua'ace, hi
says: !
81 had hoped, it seems vainly, that
after the death of Mr.. Trask, no NOR
unjust and exaggerated statements ant
no inuendos and covert reflections upol
US who puff and chew would be admitted
into the newspapers. or prayer-meeting
or the pulpit. | write while smartin.
under some spoken and some implied
criticisms that have touched my sensi
tiveness.'
After enumerating at length the man
fold benefits he has derived from tobac
co, he sums up: ...s ..-.. (
''If l am deprived of my usual smoke
my nerves are so unstrung that am un
fitted for any utterance demanding con
secutive thought, accurate expression
and deep religious feeling. 1t only az
gravates my difficulty to have it referre
to in the Sabbath-school, or prayer-mee
ing or the pulpit.
81 do not. however, object to quit
discussion of the subject in minister
meetings, if the majority of them al
smokers and are very witty. | am
Congregationalist from conviction an
early training; but have seriousl
thought of joining the Prcsbyterians, q
l have heard that, while they are yer
strict in doctrine. they are more liber;
than we are in the non-essentials
practice. If The Advance would use il
influence to have all the public or prin
ed illusions to this trivial and entirel
personal matter abated, it would be
great relief to me and many brethren. !
the ministry and out. Indeed, it migl
save us to the denomination"
But the question presses; How sha
we stem, if we cannot turn the might
current? Shall we petition Congress
pass laws for the abating of this nu
sance? But are not many of our vii
men and our honorables in both hous,
in completely with it? Are they n,
themselves helping to swell the current
Shall we implore the pulpit and tt
press to cry aloud and spare not? Than
God for all that has been done and
now doing! Thanks for the grand apo
tie, George Trask. who fought singh
handed till he went up to take his crow
The pulpit and the press THE a
thorized rebukers of wrong the create
of public sentiment Sorry am to
obliged to admit that such numbers
the moral and religious leaders in Il
land. the shonld-be besiegers in this wa
fare. are themselves among the besiege
that it is felt to be too delicate a su