The San Francisco call., 1905-04-18
SEES NO HARM
IN THE WALTZ
DR.. Alexander Gives Liberal
Views to Assemblage of
Presbyterian Ministers
CARD GAMES INNOCENT
Eminent Scholar Says That
Inebriety Is an Outrage
on Mans Moral Nature

Drunkenness, divorce, card-pfaying
and dancing were the subjects Pro-
fesSor William Alexander of the San
Anselmo Theological Seminary dealt
with in an address before the Presby-
terian Ministers Union yesterday. His
views were liberal in some measure.
and at least interesting. He spoke as
follows:
The remedy for the great and glaring evils
Of drunkenness IL not to be found iri main
tanning false principles and intemperately de-
nouncing those who cannot In conscience ad-
NIT them, but In steadily avoiding the great
sin upon which the Bible places It's awful
brand.
The temperance refornners become q little
incorporate themselves in denouncing all the
products OF fermentation and distillation
poison and nothing else, in opposition to the
opinions of chemists and physicians. Learned
English authority shows that stimulants OF any
kind are hurtful when the system is in q nor
NAL condition, but when the system Is pros
trated below the normal then stmulants. such
as brandy, whisky or wine, are tonics and
helpful when administered in small quantities
1t Is for this reason that physicians use
them they do some virulent poisons, such
as arsenic and strychnine in small doses. I
rush to the opposite extreme and denounce
everything Of the kind as always poisonous
and hurtful and never anything else.
I hold that IL Is the duty of every minister
to advocate temperance in scriptural and
temperate way AS regards saloons I believe
that, while not q good word can be spoken
OF them or that anything too severe can be
said about them. prohibition is out Of the
question in California Prohibition does not
ment prohibited T practically without G any law law
on the subject
Another social question of the first magni-
tude which ministers concerned Is that OF
marriage and divorce.
The marriage relation lies at the very
foundation of q Christian and civilized COM
rpft I1urna nd NOR n -
itual progress arc almost concident with the
sacredness attached to the marriage bond.
vorce one Of the two being desertion OF so
long and obstinate character as to prohibit
any hope of reconciliation
party again. and no divorced person should re-
marry within less than a year.
The divorce laws Of California and many
other States are 30 lax as to be the disgrace
OF the country and Of the civilization OF the
ago The underlying error lies In the fact
that the marriage relation is regarded merely
annulled by the civil power for a variety Of
reasons. Marriage Ia more than a civil con-
tract. It is essentially religious institution.
though not sacrament 1t at the very
foundation OF orderly civilized society. It Is
the natural and divineiy appointed state OF
woman for life.
Polygamy among the Mormons Is an I'M
moral violation OF thu the Laws Of the ia1a ana
country. II Is not essential 70 the Mormon
religion, for 1t had existed and still exists
without polygamy. Consequently there need
be no hesitation in Furnishing II crime.
Polygamy should be put down with strong
hand, and ministers should use all their in
1uence to preserve and protect the purity of
marriage In every way
As regards the social question-card playing.
theatergong dancing and other recreations--
which are a source OF much concern TO pastors.
believe the exactions must not be too rigid,
for 1t is as natural for the young to desire
some form Of relaxation and amusement as II Is
for birds to sing lambs to skip and play.
The harm, II any, is in excess. zee no moral
evil In handling few pieces OF pasteboard
called cards simply for amusement. but when
for money. even In small sums, Il becomes sim
| ful and demoralizing-
do not consider II wrong to move the
feet in harmony with the music IN dancing.
When all the parties are acquainted and meet
| socially there can be no harm In dancing. The
| line is to be drawn. however. at public balls.
In which any fellow that raise dollar
| can get In. and whiri the young daughters
around in the dance when they would not re-
ceive him socially in their houses
As played now I regard baseball and foot
| ball as Injurious to health and a strong prov
| ocative to profanity.
In my youth dancing condemned a
| sin but social games In which a young man
| often was required In payment of forfeit,
| TO kiss soma girl. were allowed. This hold
| to be more objectionable than decent social