The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-08-03
COMMUNICATIONS.
Communication No. ..

ASKING 'iods blessing on the use OF the
detective system"-a system of fraud,
deceit. hypocrisy-is not using prayer
lawfully" This system cannot be
"sanctified by the word of God and
prayer" If it cannot he sanctified, its
employment by Christian, or by a
Christian organization, cannot he justi-
fled. This is also true of intimidation
especially directed against every public
person, sacred and secular, who cannot.
for such reasons as l offered, worship
this modern Diana-prohibition of wine
from even the communion of saints.
But what has Christ to say to those who
would ask Gods blessing OH customs not
sanctioned by his word? "To the law
and TO the testimony; if they (tle pro-
l,ibitionists) speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in
:hem," Isaiah $40. "1n vain" said
Christ, "they do worship me, teaching
for doctrines the commandments oil
men," Math. 1850 Mathew Henry, Of
pious and learned memory, commenting
on the above spying of our Lord, says
"Thc commandments of men are pro
perlv convcrsant about the things Of
men, but God will have his own work
done by his own rules, and accepts moi
that which he did not himself appoint
1 repeat it, God did not appoint the de.
tective. He did not organize "Pro.
l'ibition Detective Association" nor will
PRAYER make the deceits of such an or.
ganization acceptable to him. Rev,
Cooper, (whom l shall especially honor
in this review. after telling all anecdote
land what would, what could the average
preacher of his denomination do if there
was prohibitory law against anecdotes?)
manifestly to stir up tho risiblc faculty
of some untutored reader, said; II de-
sire the opportunity, through your
columns, of answering briefly the letter.
of our stubborn, stumbling, anti-prohi'
bition brother, and in doing SO shall in
great part answer Skies two books
The "anti-prohibition brother" thanks
Rev. Cooper very kindly for his choice
selection of adjectives, and no doubt
"Sikes" also is grateful to the distin
guished circuit rider OF Drayton for con-
descending to notice himself and hit
"two books" ''Sikcs' two books" arc
not written. Yet the learned circui,
rider las answered them in answering
briefly the letters Of our stubborn, stumb
ling, anti-prohibition brother" Shame
OH carping, caviling hypocrite that
would impose ON an unsuspecting peo
pie He answering books that have nc
existence! Is it by such lying and folly
as this that the sacred ordinance of the
Lords Supper is to be corrupted by the
withdrawal Of the divlnely appointed
cup? "For my part" to use the words
ola distinguished divine, the Rev. John
Carry, d. D., II consider the vulgar
drunkenness of tile bar-room MS sanity
compared with this deliberate lying in
holy thlngs." How can n professed
minister of the Gospel of Him in whose
mouth was no guile-wlo strains SO
hard to deceive, expect to escape the
damnation OF hell?" Mr.. Cooper ans.
wering al unwritten book! "He that
answereth a matter before lie lleareth it,
it is folly and shame unto him." Prov.
1915. There is, however, one book, in
four parts, by Rev. J. Il. Skies, Perrys.
vile. OHIO, called "Thc Biblical Reason
why Prohibition is Wrong" OF this
work Rev. Howard Crosby, d. D., L. l..
d., says: "Your Biblical reason why
prohibition is wrong is an unallswerable
statement of the Bible teachings. Sucl,
books are necessary to disabuse the
minds of the people which, are led by
the falsehoods of the so-called temper.
ance organs" Cooper, what do you
thiEk Of this testimony coming from a
leading Presbyterian divine and mem.
Der of the late Bible revision committee!
Don't you think it would be a good thing
for you to invest some money and mind
if you have any, in copy of this book
Then, perhaps, you will "be more ready
to hear than to give the sacrifice o.
fools" Eccl. 81. Said he, II desire the
opportunity" Mr.. Editor, you gave Inn
"the opportunity" and, as might be ex
pected of one undertaking such shame
full piece of work, lie stood aghast wher
lie saw his own answer in your paper
1t was then that lie said: "This viii
never do. l must try 1t again. l mus
pursue that stubborn, stumbling, anti
prohibition brother with pitclfork ant
sharp stick"
Kind reader, if you see pigmy, fail
in complexion, wearing a white clloke
and spectacles, coming armed will
'pitcllfork" and "sliarp stick" in til,
direction of the Pembina Presbyterian
parsonage please to give me timely warn
ing that may ward off danger, Ho
here comes parsonage more ponderou
than the one carrying the dangerou
weapons. He is more digniiied too. Blu
his tail, or train, which? 1t takes in al
of Manitoba and Dakota! What
sweep! He holds in his hand parcll
nent scroll containing "deliverances" o
the General Assembly ancnt Temper
ance. He got it into his head, by VIVA
means cannot tell, that the "Pembin,
anti-prohibitionist" is Mt variance will
the General Assembly of the great Pres
byterian church on the question of TEN
perance. He says: 81 have read care
fully Rey. Clas. MacLean's communion
tons re the present temperance mo, e
ment." Allow me to say to him, rca,
again, and lop off at least part of tina
tail. l can see no argument for temper
ance in such "excess" of tail as this ma,
INDUCES III.
There is q little gentleman waiting a
the door; please excuse me while l in
vitc him in. Go be continued
Respectfully,
CHARLES MAcLnAS,
| ABERDEEN Oak. Julv 3O.-The Hon