The Van Buren press., 1904-09-10

ofcourse style, briefly explaining
the situation aud abruptly request
ing him to have the neglect rene.
died. The bishops family and
friends were very much amused
by this communication, but while
he admitted that it was a some.
what remarkable application, he
insisted that it had its pathetic
side and that the applicant must
not be disappointed. From that
night to this the lamp in that OBJ
scure and lonely alley has burned
brightly.
The Subway club is apparently
an effort to furnish to the poor
people of a crowded section of
New York an inexpensive attrac.
tive resort where whole families
can spend an afternoon or orevening,
enjoying the liberty Of the gospel
and our "land Of the free" by eat.
ing and drinking according to
thGSs means aud tastes, 50 long as
( they do not partake Of alcoholic
drinks to excess. Bishop Potter
believes that this effort is Il useful
and commendable one, and when
the club was opened he gave it
the encouragement ofhis presence
and approving words.
Perhaps the bishop is mistaken.
AS to whether he is, or is not, |
am incapable Of expressing an
opinion of any value. But | am
perfectly sure that Bishop Potter
is interested deeply in the poor of
New York, and indeed of the
country and the world at large,
and that his long study of and ex.
penence with them entities him TO
be regarded as an expert in a
science in which most Of his critics
are Dovices. For these reasons
and because Of his high character,
| give him "the benefit Of the
doubt and put the best interpre.
tation upon what he did aud said
in connection with the opening Of
the Subway club,
In our judgement Of Bishop
Potter concerning the matter un.
der consideration. much depends
upon the standard by which we
"size up" his action and words.
II we measure them by the stand.
ard Of total abstinence set up by
the radical puritanical wing of
temperance reformers, they will
indeed fall far short Of what might
be expected Of q Christian bishop,
We shall have reason, however, 20
thank God that we are not 10 be
measured by any such rule IN the
day Of judgement, but rather by
the scrptural standard of temper.
ence In all things --temperance, be
II remembered, in our criticisms
Of others as well as Of the use we
make of the foods and drinks
which God has provided for US.
AccordiNgtothe dIvinemeasure.
mcnt, ! would rather take my
chances with Bishop Potter in that
great dny than with some among
his critics. For while In his eat,
ing, he regards, and, In his teach.
ing, recommends the law Of Gospel |
temperance, they set aside that
law by putting IN its place u dc.
maud for total abstinence and IN |
their criticism Of him and of oil
who do not agree and cooperate
with them, they disregard u much !
greater law thnN that relating TO
the temperate dsc ofstrong drinks,
namely, the great law of charity, |
Our Savior had some pretty plain |
things To sny ABOUT people VINO
thus make the Word of God Of
hon.eilect aud strain at n gnat
while swalowinga camel ltwould
not think, be any enlargement
Of the scope Of ST. Paul's magnib'
cent uitcranoo on the subject OF
scriptuWl love to add, "and though
| nm u total abstainor 40 that |
never touch alcoholic drink OF any
kind, yet if | have not charity
nm nothing
The poor Of this country aud
world have too few friends aud
helpers Of Bishop polter's brains,
and power, aud |, for
one, feel like encouraging what