The San Francisco call., 1898-04-19
MINISTER WHO
 OPPOSES WAR Rev. A. M. ElStOn Believes Fighting to Be Un-
 christian.
The Press Charged With h. flaming the Passions of
 the Masses
Meetings of the Various DenOnn-i national Representative
 Yesterday.

Professor A. NJ. Elston, of the Berke- ley Bible College. in his talk before the Christian Ministers Association yesterday, gave some reasons for being strongly op- posed to this country entering into hostili- ties with Spain. He deplored the fact that the press and even the pulpit were trying to inf1ame the passions of the masses in an endeavor to bring about war.
 The reverend gentleman took as a text for his remarks You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars,' Matthew 24, vi in part he said:
 Although not directly applicable to the pres ent contention. yet by the principle of accom- modatlon these words may refer to the present warlike condition of the world. True there are wars and rumors of Wars imminent ana wars universal The press the pulpit and the masses are clamoTing for war. Not only are the newspapers inhaming public passion but even the hoodg9tes Of public oratory have been opened with infammatory appeals for war. The Rev. Thomas Dixon of New York is reported sweeping of the last vestige of Spanish tyr amy from the Western Hemisphere will not be enough. The nation that would ignore the blowing up of the Maine and overlook that foul blow to its honor, that black crime of the century, Is dead and rotten and ought to be
 Are the masses improved by such an appeal Go their passions? Are such sentiments born Of the spirit of Jesus? Was such wholesale slaughter and relegating to hell the nature that ignored it. Christ's method of redeeming na- tons and making them righteous? Is war to be exalted by the press, the pulpit and the na- tion the mightiest thing instead of relic of barbarism? Do we worship the principle of peace or the gods of battles? Such things to my mind are travesty on the ethics of Chris tianity.
 Professor Elston then went on to show the effects of war from an economic and moral standpoint, and in support of his contention, quoted many leading author ities.
 The problem of the unemployed was presented by Rev. Edward E. Clark terday, and was discussed very thorough ly. Before adjournment Rev. O. c. Mill Ter led in a ten minute prayer for the President, Congress and the Consuls of the nation.
 At the Methodist Ministers meeting, an Interesting discussion was had over Dr. W. $. Urmy's paper, which was read at the preceding meeting. Dr. Matthews led the debate and among those who partici- pated were Rev. w. M. Woodward, Rev. ;. D. Samuels, Dr. Harris, Rev. Henry Pierce and Dr. BoVard.
 U was decided that John D. D. Johns, II-D., De invited to deliver a lecture al Howard Methodist Church on Monday evening next. the subject being, Did man make God or did God make man?" committee consisting of Dr. Wilson, Rev J. N. Beard, Dr. Hammon and Rev. MT. BoVard was appointed to make neces- sary arrangements. The lecture will be given under the auspices of the Meth odist Ministers Union.
 At the Baptist Ministers Union. Rev. A M. Petty read a paper on The Jew as MlSslonary Before the Time of Christ. At the conclusion of the inter estlng paper, q general discussion of the matter was taken up in which all nresent participated. '