The San Francisco call., 1896-05-15
The Cleveland (Ohio) Conference
May Ask All Churchmen
to Abstain.
DIFFERENCES OF OPINIONS
Rev. Drs. Case and Stephens Join
Issue on the Subject-0ther
Vigorous Views.


presided at this mornings session of the Gen
ersl Conference of the Methodist Epifcopal
church. Rev. Mr.. Lowthers of Kansas intro
duced resolution asking that all Methodists
be asked to abstain from using tobacco, and
tnst no sundny-school teachers or Epworth
League presidents or other officers be elected
who used tobacco. Referred to the committee
on temperance
This is one small paragraph of tele-
graphic item published in THE CALL few
days ago. 1t is innocent in appearance,
and would be passed by the general
reader, perhaps, without second thought.
But the clergy and laity of the Method
ist Episcopal church of this City take
different view of the case. To some of
them it is entirely satisfactory, to others it
is the Rubicon between individual right
and ecclesiastical legislation, and they are
woefully unrestful lest the church cross
the stream and infringe on Its neighbor's
domain.
That small paragraph has ELECTED hy-
gieuic discussion from the Rev. DR.. Case,
a philosophic dissertation on the rights
of the individual man from Rev. DR..
Stephens. fight of oratory from Edgar
Briggs ESQ. of the Assessors Office, an
emphatic affirmation from C. B. Perkins
OF Simpson Memorial Church, and various
widely diverging opinions from other
notables of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in San Francisco.
DR.. ". w. Case of the Howard-street
Methodist Episcopal Church took latter
godIiness, cleanliness" for his text
leaned back IN his chair and delivered
himself OF his thoughts on the subject
with perfect freedom.
Il think it is right he said. Sunday
school superintendent and presidents OF
Epworth leagues should be obliged to re-
fraln from using tobacco for many reasons.
First, on the general principle that any
practice or habit which does more harm
than good ought to be condemned and
abandoned. This is automatic and time
would be lost arguing it.
Secondly, it is filthy habit and is en-
tirely unnecessary.
In the third place, it is an unmitigated
evil and very I'M urious to the health.
"Fourthly, it is a stepping-stone to
grosser forms Of intemperance, such as
the use OF morphine and intoxicating
liquors
"a fifth reason is that it destroys the
equilibrium of the mind, vitiates the
Judgment and debauches the moral powers.
Lastly, it has delete-ious influence
upon posterity."
Would you endeavor to prohibit its
use by church members?" was asked.
by church mem bers ?" The reverend gen.
tleman slowly repeated the question, took
less constrained position in his chair
and drew his hand lightly across his fore
head, thereby smoothing the wrinkled
front of war.
NO; would not endeavor to prohibit
its use by members. / would do SO with
lntoxlcants on the ground that not only
the user suffers, but his family and
society in general. This is true only in a
limited extent OF the use of tobacco
Il would not even put myself on record
as desiring to puta tobacco sieve in the
mouths of church officials, but I am
strongly in favor of their not using it.
This Is entirely matter OF personal
liberty, and l think no legislation would
be tolerated, but the conference has not
exceeded It's authority in being strongly
advisory"
The opinion of DR.. John Stephens of
Simpson Memorial Church was directly
opposed. He said:
This would be very radical step, as
many OF the pastors themselves use
tobacco 1t IS now considered illegal for
pastors to use tobacco, the last question
asked candidates for ministerial honors
blng Will you wholly abstain from the
use OF tobacco?'
Now, many of the preachers, especially
the older ones, who came in before this
clause was added to the list of questions,
use tobacco; and l think it would be
wholly inconsistent to require Sunday
school superintendents and league presi-
dents to refrain from using tobacco, when
these men who occupy the puIpits are per-
mltted TO 90 unmolested.
"As lar as the matter is merely advisory.
approve OF 1t, but think it is very easy
TO endeavor to put TOO many strings upon
church members. One of the undesirable
tendencies OF modern church affairs is to
put too many restrictions upon members
i think the church should not endeavor
to Ieglslate upon this subject-it will work
itself out in time.
why, if a man were to be eschewed on
account OF proclivity for using tobacco.
some OF the greatest giants of the pulpit
would be under the ban. Spurgeon was
addicted to the weed, and his spirituality
has never been questioned"
One OF the most prominent membe of
the Methodist laity in the City, c. B. Per-
klns, marches under DR.. Cases banner.
II am thoroughly in sympathy with the
movement" he said. 81 have never used
tobacco in any form in my life, and would
as soon think of flying as using tobacco
before the children of my Sunday school.
"As for the iaity, do not believe the
church should have any jurisdiction. 1t is
a matter that should be left to their con-
sciences and inclinations of right and
wrong"
Edgar Briggs of the Assessors Office.
and steward of Simpson Memorial
Church, once wrote an article on the pro-
duction OF tobacco, which may be seen in
the report of the State Board of Agrcul-
ture for 1895.
He said: THAT is a question as to the
poIity of the Methodist Church itself, and
not of morals. The tendency of the church
here lately is becoming too narrow. Ex-
cessive use of tobacco is injurious and
should be avoided, but the church should
have no jurisdiction over the subject. AS
for advising, that is its dnty. and in this
case think its advice proper and timely"
Rev. DR.. w. R. Goodwin, pastor of the
California-street Methodist Church, came
to the window, as the hour was late, and
put himself emphatically on record as in
dorsing the action of the conference as
long as it is advisory; is in favor of pro-
hibiting the use of the weed by superin-
tendents of Sundayschools and presidents
of leagues, but thinks the laity should do
as they please in the matter.
William Abbott, president of the board
of trustees of Central Methodist Episcopal