The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1893-11-17

CONDUCTED BY MRS. NJ. L. HOBBS.
To The Preachers of America

TO The Preachers of America
y Kindly permit few words throu,
the columns of your paper 10 brethr,
4 in the ministry, from one who is deep
interested in the holy cause of Proh,t
ton, the greatest Issue that has ever e,
tered American politics and the res! m
morals | need not say that the saloo
is the mother of moral and civil ansrcb
the hot bed of murder aud vice, the COZ
rupter of politics and the greatest ours
to church aud country. A century {
moral suasion," and endless piedp
taking have not solved the problem
The saloon still has legal existence, an
Is growing In wealth aud political nn
commercial power every hour.
Millions OF men are agreed on th
righteous principle Of prohibition, bu
in order TO put that principle into prac
tlce, they must also agree TO plan
The laws Of our land are now in the IN
terest OF the saloon. The only way e
change them Is through legislation, ane
to do that requires united moral and
political action. Whatsoever devils
may be driven out BY prayer and fast,
ing" says Neal Dow, "the saloon. keeper
devil is not Of that kind. He came in
by votes and must 60 out by votes. p
But where are the prophets that can
arouse the people? answer, in the
pulpit. The future { this republic is in
the hands Of the preachers. What II
shall be they must decide. 1t is not the
public press, nor the rum.ruled politi.
clans that have the ear Of the people
who think. 1t 10 the man who stands in
the pulpit who has the ear aud heart OF
the people who think, and who think on
the basis Of the Bible. Therefore the
attitude Of the pulpit toward the cause
OF Prohibition is without doubt the vital
phase In the reform. Let the men of
God sound forth the trumpet OF truth.
and the people will soon rally around
the banner OF righteousness But how
shall the preacher proceed? know of
no better plan than that suggested by
The Hon. John Lloyd Thomas, himself
The son Of preacher and apostle Of Pro-
whose name is known far and
vide by reason Of his unselfish consecra-
ion to this cause. The plan which Mr..
rhomas has formulated and in which he
invites ministerial corporation, is as
We propose "Psstors Prohibition
league" to be composed Of all pastors
II Christian churches who will sign and
'eturn the following pledge: II hereo oy
promise with the help Of God, (l.) ToI
preach, pray aud vote for the absolute
Of the traffic in alcoholic
|rinks. ca To preach every three
months special sermon on the duty OIL
Christians 10 regard to the drink traffic.
With special reference 10 political actiy.
~. 80 To arrange and hold as q reg
lar church service, monthly temper
nee or Prohibition meeting.
Speaking for himself and as secretary
{ the National Constitutional League.
ir Thomas says: I'VE will keep al
st Of the signers TO the above pledge,
OF TO be publish d without tho consent q
{ the signer. We will try to arrange a Z
ystem whereby frequent exchange oft
peakers can be made. For instance.
houlc twelve pastors within a distance '
say fifty miles sign he above pledge. j
would be very easy TO arrange that j
sch church should have, without much n
xpense different speaker every month. =
he plan needs no expensive headquar. J
re or salsried fficisls, because the
League will volunteer to
orform all the necessary work Of a
'ntral Office without expense" Who +
10 suggest . better plan? Let the puI. Il
i present united front against the g
luor traffic aud license lave, and the
eat curse would soon collapse. The b.
orld needs leaders, and I do not know p
no shall lead in the march OF reform III "
1t the preachers. Why should sin and II
ime escape the pulpit simply because Ia
is organized. named and known as 4 al
,Iitical party? True religion and pat. &C
otism Is Christs government in church hi
id state. W
Az one has we'll said: .The State b,
ID church are separate In our polity, III
d can never come into organic unity, 81
il the State and Christianity were mar. "a
sd in l776. and what therefore God d.
tn joined together let not man put u
UNDER" Thank God many OF the no. br
est spirits are coming 10 realize that Of
lth as never before. The Rev. DR.. &. nc
Payne says, ut is tresson 10 truth be
d to God to demand silence OF the ci,
lpit in relation TO these questions. /" ca
nd Bishop Mallalieu declares that an
olitics and religion, when both are ",
lat they should be. will blend har. fol
,niously, and together bless and up no
the people, and at the same time
ndcr strong and permanent all that is ,,,
,st excellent In our social life and civil "
,,itutions' Twenty five thousa nd an
each re- banded together. on the above W
IN or platform would cheer and In. -
ire The thousands upon thousands who Pc
!, looking and longing for auch . -
,vement aud under God make the oe
lpit and prohibition a power In this o.. 2.
d. ~ -.
Dear brcthern In the ministry, mill. m
q IN the church aud State await your sta
| 10 action. Shall we longer cit silent "s
remain unorganized and see the ~
DON welding more power and In. pr'
ence than tho pulpit and pew? God ~
bid! MOI Let us organize at once en- en-
The name OF truth and Tor our own vi
- q. 4 ~ A..a - I<e