The Coconino weekly sun., 1895-03-07
HE MINISTER REPLYING TO THE PRIs
 OVER AT THE BAR.
Sec the article of February 2lst headed l" A Terrible Charge.

Seo One aTIicle oI ceoruaiy SlsC, headed "A Terrible Charge.'
 Prisoner at the bar In your words gre you received the sentence of death. tor the murder of your wife, you have included the following words, :" At last sought the protection. care and sym, pathy of the church of Jesus Christ, but at the communion tablo I received from the hands of the hands of the pas sor who sits there, and who has testi- jed against me in this case, the cup that contained the very same alcoholic serpent that is found in every bar-room
 in tho land. It proved too much for my weak humanity, and out of that holy place I rushed to the last debauch that ended in the murder of my wife" The impression produced by this charge, let me say now to you, will be very mis. taken and unjust one, unless by stating few facts can now correct the error. Our Christian churches either use un- iermened, nonalcoholic grape e-juice, or pure wine in the observance of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. You will find that ministers and officers of the Methodist denomination are by the rules of their church instructed to procure simple, sweet grape juice, where ever possible for this Sacrament. In Dthcr denominations, as the Presbytsr- ian, Congregational, Baptist, prefer, ence has been expressed frequently for unfermented wines. In my own church 1 have desired to procure this article md 1 shall now make use of 1t. If even the drop of the wine which is brought to the lips is really so great a temptation to any communicant, then l believe all churches and ministers will desire to use only non intoxicating grape juice.
 But you have erred greatly in saying you sought the protection, care and sym pathy of the Church of Jesus Christ. If you had done this you would have not been exposed to this new tempta- tion. We would have procured a. once the unfermented fruit of the vine and thus protected you. We would have cared for you by administering this as means of grace and strength. The Lords Supper is meal for the nourishment and strengthening against temptation. And we would have given you our sympathy by right of compan- ;onship, prayer and fellowship in the Holy Church, The Sacrament is a communion, and 1" we share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear" If
 ll this is true will you class me, your pastor, and the members of the church with those who license the evil liquor traffic, and those who for gain deal out the accursed stuff Insofar as we were innocently at fault we would gladly cor rect it. Would that you had sought our protection, care and sympathy truly and earnestly. Would that all that you have addressed and who have aided in your downfall were as anxious to save and rescue the drunkard as the church of Jesus Christ is. Last of your words you confessed you rushed from the communion to the debauch Did your pastor and fellow Christians not shake hands with you before you left the church as we always do after the Sac amental service and did you breathe word of the temptation which was tben besetting youl No, or you would have been saved. You have done this good by your words: You have shown the danger there may be in the use of in- toxicating wines at the Sacrament. l trust there has not been harm done from the mistaken charges which l have corrected l now render unto you the last kind office of health and sympathy which are within my power as you pass to the execution of sen. tence.
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