New-York tribune., 1902-01-24
Mr.. STIRES SAYS ENFORCE LAW
HE WANTS A LIBERAL SUNDAY, WITH
NO SALOON IN IT.

The fifteenth annual dinner of the Church Club
was held at Sherry's last night. About hun
dred and ten persons were present. occupying
round tables of eight covers each. Across the end
of the room was a long table at which were Presi-
dent George MacCuoch Miller. Bishop Charles
H Brent, of the Philippines Diocese; r. Fulton
Cutting, the Rev. Ernest NJ. Stires. Benton Mans
field. Eugene c. Denton. Edward P. Bailey. the
Rev Robert L. Paddock. William L. Lenhart and
Frank o. Osborne.
Among others present were George ". Clark, L.
S. Greene jr., Edward II. Litchheld. Archdeacon
Bryan. the Rev. DR.. James H. Darlington. J. W.
Miller. George ". Kirke, Captain F. NJ. Gibson
Hoffman Miller. Robert Graham. Cortlandt z.
Hastings, Edwin S. Gorham the Rev. DR.. Henry
Lubeck the Rev. DR.. George c. Houghton, A c.
Zabriskie, George zabriskie and Captain A. T.
Mahan- The speeches were informal
Bishop Brent, the first speaker, told his ideas OF
conducting the work of the diocese OF the
Philippine Islands, TO which he has been assigned.
r. Fulton Cutting spoke OF Democracy as prod
uct Of church government, and said that the
Church needed in politics to-day and that
politics needed the kind of who were the best
members Of the Church Archdeacon Tiffany said
that Bishop Potter would be remembered not
much because the Cathedral had been started
under his episcopate. as because he had made the
Church power in city life
The Rev. Mr. stires Of st. Thomas's Church de-
voted his speech largely TO the excise question.
TN the last years I have studied the Sunday
problem in Chicago" he said, "the place where
be SEEN but also the practical working OF several
corrective methods that have been tried There
three ways of looking at Sunday-frst the very
one which is hateful; the second, the very
liberal one, that takes away all barriers and de-
stroys all the sacred character Of the day, and in
the third place, we may look at Sunday and retain
its sacred character, while at the time bring
ing to each proper recreation, exercise and
fresh air. The day may be made for man. not for
Satan. Men may have all necessary physical and
moral stimulus. and may be given freedom well.
But to have open door at every corner, door
open 70 that which will enslave him. is not helping
to make him free" Continuing he said:
II is true that the Excise law has never been
forced, but it is yet TO be demonstrated that ii
cannot be enforced to the extent that such laws
customar1ly are. No law accomplishes as much as
was expected OF II. About murderer in three is
executed for his crime. and yet hear plea
for the abolishment of the death penalty.
1t is also urged that the law should be changed
because IL leads TO resort TO subterfuge. but
do not see the necessity of changing principal
sible hypocrisy. We should not pare down
standards to the basis Of how much a law be
enforced II the barriers TO be thrown down let
all responsibility fall upon the politicians, and not
churchmen. Some people need protection; all
may need protection from ourselves
Whether the matter is political not. the church
should not concern herself with and should have
use for such terms eXpediency. compromise,
apology or cowardice This basest thing in Ameri-
can civilization this thing sui generis, the Ameri
can saloon. which is bad enough other days,
must not exist the Sabbath
The last speaker. the Rev. Robert L. Paddock,
took Missionary Work in This City his topic.