The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-09-12
communicated.
ssyOTE As you PRAY

How often this expression is on the lips
of men, How often it is, used by Third
Party" temperance workersin denunciation
of their brethren whowork on other lines.
The inference is that all temperance people
who pray for the success of the cause OF
temperance and prohibition, and who do
not work and vote on the ''Third Party
line strictly and invariably, are insineere
and dishonest. They pray one thing and
vote something else. Some, doubtless who
use this expression. are to be excused on
the ground of ignorance, while others have
only to give the matter a little careful
thought to see the evident untairness of
their position. There are many great, wise,
holy men in this country. who pray con-
stantly for the triumph Of prohibition, and
work according to their convictions, in the
direction of their prayer. bnt do not vote
the Third Party" ticket without varia-
ton Many such will not vote for st. John
and Daniel. Are such men to be branded
a. dishonest and false in their prayers?
Thinking men who pray. usually pray i'll
diligently. and in working out under God,
the answer to their prayers, pursue the
means best calculated to reach the result
IN their estimation. While praying in def
crence to the Divine Will. there is ever in
the mind of the petitioner choice OF
methods to be used, and a strong desire
for blessing upon these methods, so that
third party men are no more honest in
PRAYER or consistent in action than other
praying people. To vote as you pray, is
right. but the nature of the vote Will be i'll
fluenccd by the nature of the prayer, If
a man prays third party prayer, let
him vote third party ticket; if he prays
and works in other directions let him vote
in the spirit of his prayer.
There are several denominations OF Chris
tans in America all working and praying
for the same thing--the salvation of the
race. Would any one of those denomna-
tons be justified in accusing all Others of
dishonesty because while praying for the
coming of the Redeemer's kingdom, they
saw proper to work for this end in differ
ent directions?
There are at least tpo great political par
ties in this country, and. bad as politics are
sometimes said to be. there are some IN
both parties who are men of prayer-they
pray Gods blessing for this nation. and
work for desired prosperity through their
chosen party, and is any man justified in
accusing his political opponents of dishon-
esty in prayer and voting? The same lib
erality should exist in the temperance ranks.
The majority of temperance workers III
this country are not voting the third par
ty'' ticket. but are voting and praying and
working for the defeat of the rum power,
and we ask are they to be accused of dis
honesty before God because they think for
themselves as to the means to be employed
and vote and pray in accordance with their
thought? We have often been panied by
the inconsiderate use of ''vote as You pray,
| and the good cause has been hindered there
by This is great cause in which we are
scatter our forces. we want unity of spirit
and harmony throughout the entire army
of temperance reform.
Through the years OF the past, encount-
ering many difficulties, having many dan
gers. defeating many enemies, have we
marched on to the suspicious present Now
is no time for pickering and strife, but
rather time to grid up our loins for more
earnest work for God and humanity