The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-04-05
Mr.. Wanamaker Speaks for Prohl-
bition at Bethany.

Postmaster General Wanamaker spoke
upon the proposed prohibition amendment
to his Sunday school class at Bethany
Church yesterday afternoon.
81 have been asked to speak on this sub
ject," he said, "but before giving my own
thoughts, we will read what God has to
say"
Mr.. Wanamaker then read from the fifth
chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians:
"See then that ye walk circnmspectIy, not
as fools, but as wise. And he not drunk
with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled
with the spirit. Submitting yourselves unto
one another in the fear of God"
"Now to intelligently discuss the subject"
he continued, 1--WE must have a correct idea
of the Christians duty in the matter, or in
other words the true idea ola Christians
life. God SAYS unless we walk temporarily
we are fools. 1t is our duty to abstain from
any thing that will offend our brother and
for this God will hold US responsible.
"Within the past twenty four hours our
hearts have been greatly stirred by the ter.
rible wreck at Samoa, where many brave
sailors found watery graves. The sea is now
throwing broken spars and dead bodies on
the beach. Yet in the great cities our own
beloved sons and hayward daughters are
being swept into wretched life.
"The man who will not sign temper
ance pledge to help another man does no;
think as much of himself or God as he
should. He is not willing to deny himself.
The man who drinks little and will not
give that little up, is as much under its in
finence as a regular drunkard, although he
won't confess it.
"There are thousands of men in this CITY
who do not get drunk, and who believe the
liquor traffic should be stopped. Some of
them are merchants who will not take
stand for fear that they will displease some
Of their customers. Many politicians are
also in the same dilemma. They forbid
rum being brought into t1eir homes, will
not touch it themselves, but are afraid 10
declare their convictions for fear of losing
votes.
Next June you will either vote for or
against this dreadful business. There are
but two sides. By silence you will give
your assent. The bubble that prohibition
does not prohibit is simply 3 catch. 1t is
ridiculous when looked at from moral
standpoint. Men must answer to God and
not to themselves as to how they voted. He
is going to count the votes. But besides this,
prohibition does prohibit. A fair trial has
been given it and the law is observed. The
man who says that in Maine the prob ibitory
laws are not observed is either ignorant or
wants to deceive
ITO make the question practicable, 1 ask,
can any Of you go home and get down before
God and say, Dear Lord, please help me
10 defeat the prohibition amendment
This test is final, and if each Christian
should apply it and act accordingly we
would have no fear as to the results.
The majority of the inmates of the diff
ferent benevolent institutions have been
brought there by rum. The State is a part
ner 10 this business. but large portion Of
her profits are paid out again in support.
ing paupers, hospitals, prisons, courts, etc.
In the long run, the Commonwealth does
not make so much ont of the business as is
generally supposed. Mondays Philadel-
phia Tines.