The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-04-21
Theology and Tobacco.

In the reports of proceedings at
several recent conferences OF the
Methodist Church we find the an
nouncement that candidates for the !
ministry were each asked II they |
would abstain from the use of to-
bacco in any form and that their
answer was received with loud APP
plause. even to the extent, we sup
pose. of shaking the spittoons con-
veniently placed throughout the
building for the use Of the older
brethren. Now, it is well known
that philosophers, among whom we
will gladly count theologians, have
been addicted to the use Of tobacco.
Sir Walter Raleigh, who introduced
the weed into England, found his
chief solace in q pipe, as did SIT
Isaac Newton, of whom it is related
that when one day smoking in the
presence of a lady to whom he was
as affectionately attached as philo-
sopher could be he took her hand,
and instead, as she expected, OF
making a declaration of love, used
one of her delicate fingers as pipe
stopper. Now, with the example of
two such eminent men before us, is
il to be supposed that weak human,
nature will not initiate them? And
if we come down to modern times,
we find some of our most noted
literati and divines styling tobacco
an aid to reflection. Its use has
spread to all classes of society, and
in speaking of its effects a we'll
known writer says that sit produces
state of languor or repose most
agreeable to those accustomed to its
uSe." What more necessary, there
fore, than that our clerical friends
should have something with which
to soothe them after their vigOr-
Gus land persistent attacks on i'm
morality and infdelity? The Turk
who smokes necessarily is impervi-
Gus to trouble, phlegmatic Dutch
man finds a pipe a preventive of
veXation or irritation, and the cOun-
ellis of the silent Indian are always
conducted in digniied manner,
owing doubtless to the presence of
the pipe which accompanies them.
With all due reverence be it said
that theological as we'll as political
discussions are not always free from
acrimeny, and instead of forbidding
the use of tobacco it might be pro-
ductive of good to introduce it into
public deliberations, so that in
the charm of its presence and by the
fragrance of its Odor old wounds
might be healed and peace and
harmony reign supreme. In private
as well as in public life its soothing
influence is often felt; and it is not
unlikely that even Jupiter himself,
when Juno was cross and petulant,
retired to neighboring bank of
clouds, and let his domestic troubles
pass away with the smoke that
curled up in ethereal fashion from
his pipe.
It is of course admitted that at
different times objections, having
the weight of kingly and priestly
authority, have been made against
the habit. King James the Sixth,
who was q staunch churchman and
a descendant of that other king who
the old historian styled "a sore saint
to the crown" wrote a famous
"CounUerblast against Tobacco" but
this is more than counterbalanced
by the fact that if Christopher Col
| umbus had not discovered America
the plant In question would hav been
unknown: and as that gentleman
has been enrolled in the calendar of
saints, it would be preSumptious to
conclude that he was instrumental
| in discovering anything Of perni-
cious character. 1t pains US to OBJ
serve that these worthy preachers,
while compelling candidates for the
ministry to abstain from the weed,
leave it optional to acting ministers
as to what course to pursue. Seri-
ously, however, we cannot agree
with these worthy men Ill this cru
SADIE against tobacco. 81 emmy, said an
old Scottish elder to & young woman
who was arraigned before the
Kirk for having danced at a ball,
"What were you thinking of when
you were dancing" 'fNothing
wrong" was the trembling culprit's
reply. "Then Jenny" was the
sage advice. always dance And
if a man thinks that he has call to
preach the gospel, and yet can con-
sistently smoke his pipe, let him
enjoy his belief. His influence for
good will not be weakened thereby,
nor his flow OF spiritual thought
INSTRUCTED. There are graver SOC
ial and ecclesiastical questions than
this clamoring for a hearing, and
there is a danger that while tithing
"mint and rue and all manner of
herbs" men may "pass over judy
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