New-York tribune., 1904-08-07
TEMPERANCE.

,.,r,rAr,pce is unduestionably a great virtue
The best means of promoting II snoula DE one
of the primary concerns or all reloruelS' Hu
,nani+arians and Christian teachers Inc actloh
OF Rshop Potter in giving his approval 10 al
aetahljSbment where liquor is sold naturally at
tracts attention and awakes discussion. Inc
mere showing Of favor by a clergyman to such
an ENTERPRISE runs counte" TO tradition, though
MANY good neople sympathize with the attempt
10 separate the drinking which every ybody
knows is bound to take place from the worst
evils incident 10 IT under present conditions
Moreover, the formal opening of tavern with
religious services which are made the occasion
of rihaldry by scoffers, CRATES on the senslDll.-
ties of many persons who wish we'll TO the en-
te:prise Itself and respect the motives or IT'S
projectors Then. if the prop iety OF providing
such place Of entertainment is conceded, the
question arises Is this particular plan wise and
likely 10 prove helpful Much may be said in
favor OF resort more closely resembling the
German beer garden where whole families may
assemble. instead Of one which encourages the
men to leave their wives in the tenement houses
While they drink alone. The whole question is
a difficult one about which everybody is more
or less in the dark, Men Of equal ability, equal
devotion and equal purity of purpose have utter
is different views and Will rightly give express
sion 10 them.
The plan approved by Bishop Potter finds, as
was 10 be expected, many critics. Most Of
them approach the discussion with courtesy and
moderation. recognizing the new tavern as a
conscientious attempt 10 do good. however much
they may think II unlikely to have that result
We find some ardent temperance advocates.
however, who are unable to express their dis
approval !n temperate language and without
personal insult; and it is sad TO reflect that
some OF the most violent and abusive utter
ances arc those of cergymen. y Methodist
minister OF New w-Brunswick. y. H. the Rev J. Z.
Sawn, INDUCES in the following decent and
Christian insinuation against the character of a
brother clergyman:
Solomon. supernaturally wise at first, gradual
lY perverted his wisdom by marrying heather
wives and allowing them TO perform heather
worship in Israel. He then prostituted his wis
dom and sacred Office by building and consecrat-
ing affairs to the service of Ashtaroth, thus lay
ing the foundation for the sin which God had
most peremptorily forbidden and cursed.
How did Solomon ever come 10 consent to do
such thing? The answer TO this question will
explain why a Church dignitary of to-day sets
Up and consecrates an altar of Bacchus beside
the altar OF Jehovah and calls II blessed.
This temperate critic could not stop short OF
pronouncing the tavern experiment as IAN open
step toward establishing Bacchanaiian wor-
''ship and covering its diabolism with tha
"Sacerdotal robe OF the priesthood OF tie Church
"of Jesus Christ" The Rev. w. Davies Pitt
man. of st. Louis. with long range knowledge
Of the inner motives Of the heart. declares:
Bishop Potter is doubtless seeking notoriety."
The Rev. Charles Fl. Elder, Of Trenton, y. j..
displays his temperate Judgment and refinement
by saying OF Bishop Potter: He should take
"off his ecclesiastical robes and put on a bar
tenders apron" The Rev. Edward Warren
OF the Wylie-Chambers Presbyterian Church
Philadelphia, likewise reads the secrets Of
hearts, forgets that charity thinketh no evil
and is not troubled by the admontion TO be
| sober. grave. temperate, sound in faith, in
/ charity, III patience" for be hastens to say:
I Il believe Bishop Potter is seeking notcriety
and Ee VIII get enough OF it some day
: These are few specimens Of the way some
/ elergymen. who are supposed to-practise tenn
peranee OF thought and sreech. to be charitable
to nridle the tongue AMI 10 lead in the sober and
reaSoEabie discussion OF moral and social prob
lens. aniroach the consideration Of this great
and dihicult question and presume. witIort ba
ing here or waiting TO see results accomplished
10 dispose of proposal for social betterment