Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-05-12
VIC. I. U. COLUMN.
Church and Saloon.

/ tiOr of w. {. +. /. which was held at
Alma May 10 and II.
If there is one command which more
than other may be called, the command,
that one must be Go yc into all the world
and preach the gospel to every creature "
And CHRIST assures us it is our Father 5
good pleasure 10 give us the Kingdom
Now ii we believe in and rely on His
promi.cs why do we not move forward?
The first efforts would naturally be 10
clear the way Of any obstruction, TO re-
move anything which hnders the onward
march Of salvation must be legitimate work
for His church to undertake. Does any
one think business which sends one
huu1red thousand souls to u drunkards
hell each year in our own nation no him
dranCe to the coming Of Christ's kingdom:
Yet this is but one item in the expense when
we remember that 1t is estimated that near
ly twice that number die indirectly each
year from tins curse and almost countless
thousands of children are robbed of their
birthrieht, ian ordinary chance to be well
born and surrounded by circumstances
which tend toward success Then add to
this the putting in the way Of those who
have been well born and well trained such
a young man who Can "hold fast TO his
integrity" is more than human. who dare
be responsible for it all, or Justify this
state Of affair? Should sin abound that
grace may the more abound Then when
we consider the thousand evils which come
from and follow in the train of the liquor
traffic, it is perfectly appalling. Why 20
we not up 10 possess the land? Are the
giants to strong for usf Has not Christ
said, "Lo am with you always even TO
the end of the world?" Is He not more
than all that can be against u.s. Yea
verify, He i able TO do exceeding abund-
anty all that we ask or think The
trouble lies with us we are not willing 60
face the situation. No one for moment
thinks the saloon has a moral right to eX-
list. But, says one how 60 about the
business Of doing away of this abomina-
tom 1t is written "the children of this
world are wiser in their generation than
the children OF light"
Still it would seem even the children of
light might see the advantage Of putting
into this enterprise the same business
methods they would in any other under
taking. If one wishes high protective
tariff, will he vote for free trade; Or if
he believe in the gold standard will he
vote free silver and express his sentiment
in some other way? Hardly. If he wish
TO lure trade to his town will he for con-
allow some one to obstruct the
roads leading to his base Of operations? |
We, in Michigan do not approve of poly |
gamy; are we going TO allow the mormons !
to build their churches among us by pay
ing five hundred dollars each for each year !
they are kept open for their teachings.
When the hearts of Christ followers burn |
within them as did the hearts of the two
Of olden time: when His church is fired |
with heavenly zeal for the salvation of
souls, she will hear His voice saying.
Roll we away the stone" and she Will |
find that in this instance the stone is the
egalized saloon, and she will rise in her
majesty and say unto this demol of de-.
.truction stay thine hand. There is
enough latent power in the church to cor
-cct many of the evils of today. There is
just one way under republican form of
must meet this question
1t the ballot box. 1t is a question Of greater
financial importance than all other ques
ion combined and of such moral magni-
ude that the veal or woe Of humanity,
he prosperity of the church and the hall
owed name Of God are all invo lyed, We
n how tTfling manner we meet 1t at the
)o'ls. If any one can show reason why
his all important question should not be
1oted upon as all important question are,
We are ready to have them brought for
ward. The matter comes more pressing
IS everything of Importance which is pro-
posed to be done being us 10 the ballot
'ox. Has not everything been done which
an be done to make this business less
We have legislated all sorts
# measures for its regulation and restric.
ion. Have we succeeded in making it
my more safe or desirable? No method
# conducting rumshop can change its
nature on the character of that which it