The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-02-06
PREACHERS NOT IN POLITICS.
Ministers Association and the Conn
ing of Sam Jones.


Editor Morning News: When every
body is understood, injustice is done
to no one. 1t is that no injustice be
done to individuals or to the public
that I have felt constrained to write
A good deal has been stated recently
in the newspaper about Rev. Sam p
Jones and visit to Savannah.
The impression has become prevalent
that it is desired by some of the min
listers of the Ministerial Association to
bring Mr.. Jones to Savannah to take
part in politics. This gave rise to
a question which 1 have been asked
many times, viz: Is the Ministerial
Association going into politics? To
which l invariably replied, Certainly
not, as a whole. 1 could only speak
for myself until the meeting of the
association Feb. 8. Now I believe, after
hearing the brethren express them
selves, l can speak with one voice for
each one present at Mondays session.
Another expression which has greeted
my ears several times is: II see YOU
are opposed to the return of Mr..
! Jones to Savannah" 1 was asked by
one person if 1 thought Mr.. Jones was
needed in Savannah? l replied, IT
think Savannah needs fifty Sam. Jones'
for six months hard at work all the
time" The meeting of the associa-
| ton held Monday was one of thorough
unity and hormony. We voted united
".
My position on the Ministerial As
ISOLATION and politics and the coming
of Sam Jones to Savannah again is
briefly stated in the following: The
Ministerial Association has never had
I the remotest idea of entering politics
We believe in the separation of church
and state. We believe as absolutely in
the eternal enforcement of church and
politics. The association favors no DO
litical party. and would not in any
sense ally with any party. We are for
men and reformation, and would reel
justified by the Scriptures and the ex-
listing facts to point out and cry aloud
from the pulpit against all forms of
evil in the city, state or nation
There were present at the minister's
meeting Feb. DR.. John D. Jordan,
and Rev, Mr.. Edenfield of the Baptist
Church, Rev. Mr.. Duncan of the Chris
tian Church, Methodist; Revs. Messrs.
Anthony, Cook, Smith and Jackson,
Presbyterian, Rev. w. P. McCorkle
and w. o. Nisbet. If 1 have not mis-
understood the statements of these
brethren, they most heartily indorse
and stand by the position here stated.
Now, the coming of Rev. Sam Jones
to Savannah would depend largely up
on the kind of work we wanted to un-
dertake and how much we desired to
accomplish If we should decide to
strike along the lines of Sunday bar
rooms, gambling and vote buying, I
believe, to man we would agree that
there is not another man on the globe
whose work and preaching would ac-
complish half what would be achieved
through a series of meetings by Sam
Jones, and | believe he would be Sc
cured to move in the conversion of
souls as an instrument in Gods hands.
The association is a united and har-
monious body on these questions, and
it is our purpose to remain So
l have written the above, not for
the purpose of controversy, and do not
expect to be drawn into one, but have
written because l felt that such a
statement would be proper at this
time. w. A Nisbett.