Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-01-29

The Newman NJ. Z. Church is the largest in the
city of lSioomsbarre, having over so me ,nbers.
The Official Board is in session.
very animated discussion is going on over
the withdrawal OF twenty seven of the members
of the church.
DIR. Williamson, the eloquent pastor, is speak
ing:
seven out of over eight hundred would make but
very irte difference. but see who the twenty
seven archie very ones who carry on our prayer
meetings and attend TO he spiritual affairs OF
the church. 1t is true that they are not the
wealthy part OF our church, but a church cannot
"Brofher Williamson spoke up the Hon.
Charles Smith. member of the Legislature, 81
say let them go; we will get along much better
without them. They have grown crazy over the
Prohibition party and right here in our prayer
meeting some of them have grown SO bold as to
declare that any man who did not vote their
ticket supporting the liquor traffic Now,
l claim to be as good Prohibitionistas any man
prohibitionist, for the reason that | ha d the
honor of voting for the enactment of our present
high license law, which has done more for tenn
perance than the Prohibition party will ever
accomplish
then Judge Grant, one of the county Judges,
spoke up: 'Gentlemen, this recent discussion
about the church being the buiwark of the liqucr
traffic is nothing short of basphemy in calling
the upholders of the rum tralfic. the srea;es,
curse the world has ever seen. l agree with
Brother smith. let those Prohibition cranks go,
ard our church will then go on in peacer CAD
plause from the other members of the Board.)
''ot coarse SAID Dr. W amson. 1--WE viii have
with their CHRISTIAN character. But we have
none to take their places in the public prayer
tics into religion; they won't mix. The Grand
Old Republican party is a good enough temper
ance party for me, and while it is not up to the
standard on the temperance question that |
would like TO see it, yet am not going to throw
away my vote on party that hasn't p ghost
of a chance of electing its candidate" CAP
plause.)
~ don't understand what these fanatical Pro-
hibitionists want" said the Hon. Mr. smith
st()nf N,.f hs = - la red ma r hs
liquor traffic canuot be iegalized without sin,
an nothing stronger than that could oe uttered
he man who sells liquor fora living is worse
than q -"
just then there was sharp knock on the door
"tome in responded the double-bass voice OF
DR.. Williamson.
The door opened and the port!y form of the
aloon-keeper across the street appeared in the
doorway. lie was the frs to break the oppres-
sive silence:
"Gentlemen, knowing this to be your regular
meeting night, decided TO come over and in
form you that and my family have made up
our ninds to join your church and help along
the good work you are DOING
This speech was greeted with dumb astonsh-
ment by the members OF The Board DR.. " illian-
son as the i4fst o speak:
"Have yon given up the saloon businesso'
mo sir,' replied the saloon keeper.
fare you going to ?"
''Noslr am conducting respectable place
and see no reason why lshoud."
"A-e-ll," slowly replied the Doctor, tour
church prohibit US from taking in dealers
in liquors, and tor that reason, we must refuse
you
oh said The saloon keeper, q flush of anger
coming into his already ford face. 81 was not
aware OF that. On what ground does your church
refuse o admit saloon keepers"
On the ground that they are engaged in bus
mess that sends souls to hell rep led DR. will
hanson. 1.-The Bible says thar no drunkard shall
Inherit the Kingdom OF God. and therefore no
of bishops has declared that the LIQUOR ira lfic
cannot e legalized without SIM
The saloon k eper was thoroughly aroused by
this time, and in a suppressed, angry tone he
asked: ado you know that Il great many of your
members are regular customers of mlne::"
~ nave heard that some Were,' said DR.. Will
hanson.
"Do you know that two of this official Board
now in this room, are among my regular Gus,
toners ."
No reply. but two very red faces showed who
had been hit. WV
'Do you know that got my license from Judg.
Grant, who sits right here, for which l paid the
too FAST my friend do not maze the laws, and
ai am compelled bv the license law to grant IL
well the law was enacted b Mr. Smith there
aud other repa blcans."
said Mr.. smith 81 carried OF the wishes OF
those who elected me. Had been elected on N
Prohibition platform l would have voted for a
cense and l voted for the law
Il understand that fully" said the saloon
keeper but voted for yo9; SO did Judge Grant;
so did De. Williamson; the rest of this Board and
the great majority of the voters in our church
topk it for gran led that all who voted for You
believed IN license. Aow, am politely told ihat
cannot DIN this heaven bound band and thai
shall go 10 he'll Dr. Williamson here, voted tor
yoa YOU, smith, TO pass u License law winch compeis
am the Joa'fa party to The agreement and, with
out the consent OF you three could not engage
in the whi,kev business. You three are bound
for hea:ea, where you vii, wsaY crowns and
play ON golden k3rps. while am to suffer the
toTmhnts Of the damnea Gentlemen. if your
Bible is true, and 20 to hell for selling whislcv.
on eH % ac ase 10 he'll fer rotig 10 gre me he
legal rtght e. doing so. GOOD NIGIIT''
With that he vanished, Closing the door behind |
him with a vigorous SLAIN.
The members of The Official Board looked
on the floor, each one seemingly
a ald OF i'gea tig the 81 ence. They were Chris |
ian nYn; believed thoy were doing their Chris I
ian duty But the saloon keeper, in his fierce
aiIalsnGenU or those present, had paced q tre-
mendoGs responsibility on the il shoulders Each
one was DONG some pretty serious thIni1 king
When DR.. Williamson ended lie silence by say
ing slowly 9
"Brethren, that saloon keeper told us some
.erflpie truths Brethren, our hands are not
and pray for light ian s2-lta
l EN- RlGR the Va. Hotel Barber shop Wne. |
IN you want good shave.
Jul IL VEIN & PFIFFERLlNS, Props