West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1884-07-16
A Few Words as q Methodist.
BY DIR, A. C. GEORGE.


We published last week the
greater portion ola recent letter by
Rev. DR.. George, of Chicago, form
erly of West Virginia, as found in
the Chicago Neus. We hope every
FREEMAN reader enjoyed the letter.
We give now the closing Of the
communication in which the DR..
talks Prohibition as Methodist:
| have few words to add as a
Methodist. The recent general
conference adopted, believe with
out a dissenting voice, a report on
Temperance and Constitutional
Prohibition" the last clause being
new in the usage of the church. In
this report there are three things
which cannot be overlooked.
l. The disciplinary declaration
is reaffirmed that complete legal
prohibition of the traffic in intoxi-
eating drinks is the duty of the
civil government"
2. This report states that Meth
odists SHOULD DOT permit them
selves to be controlled by party or.
carnations that are managed in
the interest of the liquor traffic,
as, manifestly, "the grand old par
ties" are controlled and managed.
8. The motto of the church, to
be inscribed on all its banners and
recognized by all its members, is
declared to be- "Voluntary total
abstinence from all intoxicants, as
the true ground of personal tenn
perance, and complete legalprohibi
ton of the traffic in intoxicating
drinks as the duty of civil govern,
ment."
In following these counsels
Methodists will not vote for any
candidate simply because he is i
Methodist, nor any sooner on tina
account but they will vote for mer
who represent prohibition senti
ments, and who are at, the same
time, by confession of theirIoppon
ents, "deservedly respected, ant
possessed of large influence.
Methodists are "rock -rooted"-not
in their devotion to party, but il
their devotion to their principles
What they seek to destroy is not {
partizan organization, but the loath
some" bourbonism"of the rum pow
er, which to-day completely domi
mates, at least in Illinois, thu
grand old parties"
The prohibition Republicans re
NAMED in line four years ago, a
the Inter- Ocean confesses, and vot
ed with Insignificant exception
for Garfield and Cullom. Wha
have they received in return? 4
contem ptuous refusal to submit tn
question of constitutional prohibi
tion to the people, and the insul
of high license. The Republicans
as the Democrats, are dominated
by the saloon interest, and the
chance "for temperance reform" il
this State, and generally through.
Oo' VIC OouA1ly 10 oo ldlI Will Oil
OF the old parties as with the 9th
er. The simple question for prohi
bitionists is whether they will
"stand up and be counted" or per
nit themselves still to be counted
by the publican leaders.
1t seems to me, from all these
considerations, that as men, as cit
liens, as patriots, as philanthro
pists, and may add as Methodists
the path is plain before our feet.
New occupations teach new du-
ties" We must stand for our prin
ciples, give them legal expression
and trust to God for results. Lee
US also declare our convictions
The prohibition vote will be
doubled if every man purposing te
cast that ballot will avow that de-
termination and thus make mani
fest the majesty of the movement
bearing US on, if not to immediate
yet to ultimate success.