The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-02-12
w. CT. U. COLUMN,
CONDUCTED BY MRS. NJ. L. HOBBS
Politics Divid ed the Church.
I'halanx.

riman, Tenn, is split wide open.
Action was taken some time ago by
a majority of the voting membership
to have the church stand by her
disciplinary laws in regard to the
enforcement OF the same touching
on the legalized liquor traffic. The
object aimed at was to have the
church take a definite and decided
stand upon this great question.
The result was that after a second
vote, the opposition, by a shrewd
scheme planned in advance, had a
majority of one. The minority
quietly withdrew, leaving the ma
ljority Joined to their idol. After
which council was held and a
church organized, declaring that it
lis as bad to admit into the church
men who vote for license OF saloons
as to admit those who run the sa-
looms. The charter membership
was &c, and at the first Sunday
service (Dec. 6th) the membership
Increased to nearly 100.
Several parties living at a distance
are already knocking at the door
for admission. One man 81 years
of age, writes that he has been a
member of the NJ. f. church for
10 years, but has at last become
disguised with the church he sc
much loved, because of the incon-
sistent course of its voting members
saws he and others of his old church
desire to join this new organization
!, "IndepenIent Methodist Church
is the name adopted, leaving of the
episcopacy. No license voting mar
can become a member, unless he
renounces first his allegiance to the
rum power in every shape ano
manner. This thought has beer
our meditation for some time past
We learned of other places where
similars steps had been taken, ano
now "Happy Hartman" has faller
; in line. The movement is growing
and it threatens to assume proper
! Itions that will divide the churches
. even as the slavery question die
e forty-two or more years ago. Fo
over fifty years the church has stood
with eyes and ears wide open to thu
ravages Of the liquor traffic. Dur
ing this time she has conden ned the
traffic in unsparing terms; alway:
being careful, however, not to attach
the fortress Of its strength-the po
dlitical acts o. Ter members.
Z. With her divine mouth she de
4 clares that the liquor traffic "cal
never be legalized without sin;
but with her supreme right hanC
, (95 per cent. of her voting member
ship) she legalizes the business
She has persistently made the sa
keeper her scape-goat, to bea
"a away her sins, closing the door
: against him, but honoring the Ii
cense voter with the highest seats il
the synagogue.
Those who believe that God ha
given the church the right, am
made it her duty, to proclaim Hi
a holy word, in its light to criticis
c. and censure the acts OF men, socie
ties, corporations and governments
state and national, and hold he
members individually responsible
, for the consequences Of all thei
acts, and not exempt from disci
pline OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of an.
kind, and those who are earnestl.
! looking for deliverance from al
! compromising associations, ar
kindly invited to join with us il
this grand christian work.
In conclusion want to say, lie
.Iothers manifest their desire for tn
salvation of souls as this and othe
like new organizations have done
and soon genuine revival will be
! gin in this land that will make oil
:" king alcohol tremble and advanc
the cause of true Christianity man.
: fold.
The public shall know from tim
to time how the new Independent
Methodist Church of Hartman j
progressing. A leading Prohibi
ZIONIST in Indiana, a member Of tn
M. K. church, writes us cOngratula
tons and sends contribution Q
}. money to aid the movement. Ma.
uthe Lord bless that good brother
q BY request, appeal to all reader
ii of this notice, who are in sympath
with us in this movement, to writ
;. us card or letter to that effect, tina
we may have your encouragement
!. to that extent.
/ Address IsHAM BENEFTEL,
J Official Member /. M. c., Harri
4 man, Tenn.