Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1907-04-19
Church Opposed to Politics.

That the church of Christ should not en-
ter politics in any way, even in the interest
OF such worthy cause as temperance, was
the decision of the presbytery of Washing
ton, representing all of the Presbyterian
churches in this vicinity, at the opening ses.
sion of its annual spring meeting in the
First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday last.
The expression of this opinion was had on
a vote to lay on the table two recommends
tons from the committee on temperance,
involving approval of tract issued by one
OF the general boards of the denomination
on the subject of temperance and plan to
organize an interchurch council for the pur-
pose of actively fighting the alcohol evil.
The opposition to the report was led by
Rev. DIR. Wallace Radcliffe, pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church, whose motion
to lay on the table was carried by q good
majority.
In presenting this report Rev. T. d. Rich.
ards, of Germantown, Md, chairman Of the
committee on temperance, stated that 1t had
not been seen by any one but himself, the
other members Of the committee having fail
ed to appear at the meeting. The report
deplored the fact that intemperance is still
so noticeable throughout the country, and
characterized the saloon forces as an enemy
that shows no mercy and observes no rules
of warfare"
Mr.. Richards then gave resume of
tract on the temperance question issued by
the general church boards, which told OF
q contemplated concerted action against sa-
looms and the liquor traffic, and asked that
the Presbytery approve it.
1t was explained by DR.. Radcliffe that an
active campaign of the church authorities
in Pennsylvania before the State Legislature
against the liquor traffic had involved the
church in politics and had brought upon 1t
much adverse criticism from its friends and
enemies. The same thing, he said, had
happened In Illinois, if his memory was cor
rect DIR. Radcliffe insisted that 1t Is not
the function of the church Of Christ to fight
any specific evil by forming an organiza-
ton expressly for that purpose, but that it
is the duty OF the church to train men and
women to be Christian citizens and then let
them go out into the world and aft late
themselves as individuals with any organi'
cation that is working Tor the betterment OF
mankind that they may choose
He held, further, that the Anti Saloon
League is already doing good work along
the lines suggested by the committee, and
doing it under intelligent management, and
that, therefore, Christian people should iden-
tify themselves with this organization and
leave the church to take care of spiritual
matters.
"If we as churchmen should enter this
field, we would of necessity become politi'
cians." he declared. "Such thing would
be beltting of the church, lowering OF
our standard. Let US emphasize the spir-
itual nature of the church and the liberty
of the Individual"
Chairman Richards defended the report
on the ground that there was nothing &C.
tually in the tract about political activity
on the Part of the church. He believed the
church should take practical stand on the
temperance question.
"What should be the attitude OF the church
ON this question:" he asked OF DIR. Radcliffe.
That of teacher" was the prompt reply
OF the pastor of the New York Avenue
Church.
~ do not think that is an answer" said
Mr.. Richards.
81 think it Is very direct answer" said
DIR. Radcliffe.
The motion to lay this recommendation on
the table was then made by DIR. Radcliffe,
and, after rising vote, the moderator. Rev {.
Walter II. Stone, of Jamestown, Nd, an
nounced the motion had been carried.
The next recommendation Of the commit
tee, that approval be given to plan to or.
ganize an interchurch council to fight the
liquor evil, was also laid on the table on
motion of another member of the presby-
terry Washington Star.