The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-06-07
Anaerspn gntelligenes1,
A Short Story.

A Short Story.
The Newman M. E. Church is the lar
gest in the city of Bloomsbarre, having
over 800 members.
The Official Board is In session.
A very animated discussion is going on
over the withdrawal of twenty seven o.
the members of the church.
DR.. Williamson, the eloquent pastor, il
speaking:
81 admit that in point of numbers
twenty seven out of over eight hundred
would make but very little difference
but see who the twenty seven are-the
very ones who carry on our prayer meet
ipgs and attend to the spiritual affairs OF
the church. 1t is true that they are
not the wealthy part of our church, but
church cannot be run with money
alone."
"Brother Williamson" spoke up the
Hon. Charles Smith, member of the
Legislature, ri say let them go; we will
get along much better without them
They have grown crazy over the prohi-
bition party and right here in our prayer
meeting some of them have grown 80
bold as to declare that any man who did
not vote their ticket was supporting the
liquor traffic. Now, claim to be as
good prohibitionist as any man in the
prohibition party, and indeed, better
prohibitionist, for'the reason that. I had
the honor of voting for the enactment
of our present high license law, which
has done more for temperance than
the prohibition party will ever accom-
plish."
Then Judge Grant, one of the county
judges, spoke up: Gentlemen, this re-
cent discussion about the church being
the bulwark of the liquor traffic is
nothing short of blasphemy in calling
the faithful followers of the Lord Jesus
Christ the upholders Of the rum traffic,
the greatest curse the world has ever
seen. agree with Brother Smith, let
those prohibition cranks 60, and our
church will then 60 on in peace" (Ap-
plause from the other members of the
board.
aOf course" said DR.. Williamson, "we
will have to give them their letters, for
We can find no fault with their Christian
character. But We have none to
take their places in the public prayer
service. This is one ofthe evils of bring
ing politics into religion; they won't mix.
The grand old Republican party is q
good enough temperance party for me,
and while it is not up to the standard on
the temperance question that I would
like to see it, yet 1 am not going to throw
sway my vote on party that hasn't q
ghost of chance of electing its candi-
dates"
81 don't understand what these fDan-
cial prohibitionists want" said the Hon.
Mr.. Smith. "Our church, as church,
has declared that the liquor traffic can.
not be legalized without SIM and moth
ing stronger than chat could be uttered.
The man VINO sells liquor for a living is
worse than a."
Just then there was sharp knock on
the door.
"Come in" sounded the double-bass
voice of DR.. Williamson.
The doer opened and the portly form of
the saloon.keeper across the street ap.
peared in the doorway. He was the
first TO break the oppressive silence.
Gentlemen, knowing this to be your
regular meeting, night I decided to come
over and inform you that aud my fam
lily have made up our minds to join your
church and help along the good work you
are doing"
This speech was greeted with dumb
astonishment by the members of the
board. DR.. Williamson was the first to
speak:
"Have you given up the saloon bust.
ness 2"
''No, sir" replied the saloon keeper.
care you going to?"
"No. sir, I am conducting respectable
place and see no reason why / should.
eve H." slowly replied the Doctor,
"our church rules prohibit US from taking
in dealers in liquors, and for that reason,
we must refuse you"
"Oh," said the saloon keeper, a flush
of anger coming into his already forid
face, II was rot aware of that. On what
ground does your church refuse to admit
saloon keepers ?"
ION the ground that they are engaged
in business that sends souls to hell"
replied DR.. Williamson. "The Bible
says that no drunkard shall inherit the
kingdom of God, and therefore no,drunk.
ard-maker can. More than that, our
Board of Bishops has declared that the
liquor traffic cannot bs legalized without
SIM"
The saloon Keeper was thoroughly
aroused by this time, and iu suppressed
angry tone he asked: "Do you know that
great many of your members are regu-
lar customers of mine?"
IT have heard that some were," said
DR.. Williamson.
"Do you know that two of this official
board, now in this room, are among my
regular customers ?"
No reply, but two very red faces
showed who had been hit.
"Do you know that 1 got my license
from Judge Grant, who sits right