Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-14
The Episcopal Clergy and Local OPP
iiOn-letter from Kev. DIR. Dashteil.

hiNhhOND, 'h'S hPih hot AOCN'
Rer. j. William Jones. ID. d.:
Reverend and Dear Brother, Il have
heard it intimated that some surprise
has been manifested at the apparent
want of interest upon the part of the
Episcopal clergy in the present contest
between the friends of temperance and
the patrons Of fearful evil. | trust
that there will be no misunderstanding
whatsoever upon the subject. When
the voting day comes ! am very sure
that not only the Episcopal clergy, but
all the true-hearted laymen, will be
found standing side by side in behalf Of
the cause that makes for good order and
morality.
If our clergy cannot be found taking
part in the public meetings that are
held, let it be remembered that at this
season we are pledged to great many
extra services in our churches. We
were committed to these before the
local-option meetings were announced.
AS to myself, you and those who are
laboriDg with you have, as you know,
my hearty sympathy. | have been
compelled to decline all invitations to
take part in your public meetings, just
for the reason that have not been able
to attend night service in church since
February LIST. l have been compelled
also to abandon four Of my regular
weekly services. | make these state
ments not because | suppose it to be
matter Of any great consequence whether
l am or am not at such meetings, but |
want my brethren to know where |
stand. In quiet way, as | move
around in my pastoral visitations. |
trust that my efforts have not been
without avail. 1t has surprised me
and rejoiced me to hear Of the course
to which some men have committed
themselves whose cooperation | did not
once dream that we would have. Some
of these are young men-inveterate
drinkers-who vow that nothing shall
hinder their voting with the "dry
men. One of them who has led his
family Q wretched life says that if he
cannot get to the polls except by
crawling" there he will 60 in
that way and cast his vote against
the bar-rooms. These men own up to the
humiliating fact that they have not the
moral strength to resist the temptation
to drink when it meets them At almost
every corner as they 60 from daily
work. They want to see these places
done away with they will do their
part; they ask US to help. In Gods
name ask: Can Christian men refuse
to stand by such men? Can we refuse
to hear the appeals Of themselves, their
wives, and children? Can we persist
in bringing upon ourselves the curse
denounced against those who "pm the
bottle to their neighbors' hps"?
l am at loss to understand how any
Christian man can hesitate where to be
found at this time. As to the proyi.
sions Of the local-eption law care no.
thing. / only know that the issue is
between temperance and intemperance.
At the breaking out Of the war Union
men in our State who opposed secession
were Union still in sentiment, but they
could not hesitate where To stand when
the conflict was between Virginia and
her invaders. So, too, whatever good
people may allege against the efficiency
of the local-option law, l know that the
conflict now is between Gods churches
on the one side and the liquor estab-
lishments on the other-God's minis
tiers on the one side and the liquor-deal-
ers on the other. / cannot hesitate as
to what shall be my decision. Ideplore
my inability to take more active part.
The suffering from drunkenness that /
am compelled TO witness moves me to
the very depths Of my soul, and would
appeal to liquor dealers IS well IS others
to join in making an effort to protect
the weak against temptation. Whilst
think the liquor-traffic an occasion of
incalculable evil, God forbid that
should assail the dealers personally.
Some Of them know are kind men,
and would not knowingly injure any
one. All due honor be given to them
for allowing the Sunday Law to be OBJ
served II is . severe reflection upon
city authority somewhere; still, thanks
to the liquor-men Tor their course in
that respect. The Law may be evaded
il adopted; but let US do our part.
If the business Of Richmond will
suffer, let il suffer II II cannot get on
without bar-rooms. say this en-
phatically for IL w do suffer 10 such