The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-01-23
BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES.
Extracts From the Sermon Of Rev. G. e.
Weeks Last Sunday Evening.

Last Sunday evening as previously
advertised the sermon of the pastor
Rev. G.. f. Weeks had reference to
the license agitation there is in our
midst. He commenced his discourse
by saying "that he did not enjoy de
parting from his custom of preaching
a regular sermon and treating of this
question, and he supposed that there
were many in his membership, that
did not approve of it, which account
ed for their absence. Sometimes
talks of this kind are necessary and
that this was one of the times. He
then proceeded to give some statistics
in relation to the saloon showing how
many murders are tracable directly to
them, He spoke of saloon fights.
How common the term saloon fight
had become. We never hear of a
dry goods store fight, or a grocery
store fight, or shoemaker shop fight,
but the term saloon fight we see every
day in the newspapers These places
make men brutal and murderous. An
instance was cited in this town of
woman who maintained the family
by scrubbing while the husband laid
around drunk. Respectable drinker as
you call yourself, it will do the same
thing for you. Will make your wife a
scrub woman. The saloon business
is as merciless as the grave, and as
cruel as hycna. 1t will do it for
you. The saloon proprietors are de.
fiant of the law. 1t is matter of
rumor that they violate the law. They
simply keep it when they are obliged
to do SO. We are paying Constables
to see that the law is obeyed, but it is
violated under their noses and they
are quiet about it. The saloon is
regarded as nuisance even by those
who support it. 1t is Disseminated
against by business men on business
principles. Insurance Companies
discriminate against it, as do also
railroad companies.
He paid considerable attention to
the article which appeared in the
COLUMBIAN of last week saying among
other things that the object of the
present movement was not general
or aimless but particular. Two years
ago it was against one place. last year,
against new place and against man
who had been violaIor of the law,
and this year 1t is against the addition
of two saloons. In regard to the
effort being spasmodic, and that all
the rest of the year we remained quiet
have this to say. The movement is
spasmodic because the licenses are
granted spasmodically. This is the
only time of the year that licenses are
granted, and hence it is the only time
the question can be agitated. We
agree with the COLUMBIAN that there
should be an organization to, punish
offenders, We say amen to that
suggestion. 1t is just what l want.
The merchants and doctors and
lawyers should organize. If l was
only sure that they were sincere in
their article, that they mean what
they say, that it is not another method
of criticism. 1 wish felt sure that
they believe in organization" In
referring to the publication of the
names of the signers to the applica,
tions and the bondsmen he said "It
is not new thing. 1t has been done
in other places. 1t was not done to
influence the Court or injure any one
in their business. Will it injure their
business ? If it will, why did they
sign them They never would have
signed them if they thought it would
injure them. 1t was not done to cast
reflections on their personal character
So far as that goes they acted for
themselves. The community has a
right to know who is responsible for
the saloons. The Court and lawyers
are not responsible for them. Two
men worth $4,000 must sign bond
and twelve reputable citizens must
sign the application. They are a part
of the business and the work. 1t is
not right that the Court should bear
all the responsibility. The communi.
ty has right to see that men do not
lead double lives. The community
should not be deceived. Some men
have done what they would not like
the community to know, The publ
cation of these names will make it
more difficult for saloon men to pro-
cure signers. The commotion over
this thing shows that a wrong was
being done. Even if we don't succeed
1t is doing something, and it is better
to do something even if it is mistake
than to do nothing. The saloons are
growing, and the churches are stand
ing still. 1t was done to save the
church and draw sharper line OF
distinction between the church and
the world. We must have a regenerate
and pure church. There are six
preachers in this town who believe in