The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-11-19

A majority OF the ministers Of the
different denominations in Wilmington
are not in sympathy with the move
ment that has been started for the
calling of an election on prohibition
in this city early Eext year, their OBJ
lection to an election at h time be-
ing based on toe fact that the time Is
not ripe for such a movement; that
the chances appear now to be in favor
of the victory of the anti-prOhibltion-
lists. and that the moral force neces-
sary to make prohibition prohibit Will
be lacking in the present state OF the
public mind.
A large majority Of the ministers of
the city held a special meeting yes
terday morning and the question OF
prohibition was said to have been
their main subject of discussion. After
full and free consideration in which
the 7 tier was talked of freely and
~ ~ IS relations, it was decided
tina e. 4 minister should act accord
ing to his own judgment in the matter
There was free discussion of the
prohibition movement yesterday by
citizens, following the result Of Fri
day nights meeting at the First Bap-
fist church when the public announce
mant was made. that an effort will be-
made to force the issue at this time.
Business men and many prominent
citizens appear to agree fully with the
clergy that the time is not suspicious
for an election and regret was freely
expressed by many in sympathy with
the general prohibition movement,
that the question lad been forced at
this juncture.
A Messenger reporter last night was
granted an interview by one of the
leading clergymen of the city, n who
has shown unceasing interest in the
moral development of the community
and his words were Of great interest
and force, and are certain to express
% 1 the main, the general opinion of
=, any of the other clergymen.
n he minister was asked:
<s9 he ministers have been quoted as
hosnp against the present movement
far a prohibition election and many
nc a,aa INST prohibition itself. Would
von IN. ind stating whether this is
true?"
In reply The minister said:
Lets look at the two charges sep
srately. A very large majority, prac-
ideally ali, are not in sympathy with
Che present movement. The mover Of
the present movement knew this IN
advance. Not long since there was a
conference between a number OF clergy
and a number. of representative bust
ness men as to the a~dvisability Of a
prohibition election. Every man there
looked forward to prohibition, but the
conclusion was reached, with practical
nnanfmity, that it vas very lneXpedl-
ent to hold such election in the near
future. Several reasons were given,
all of which [ do not feel warranted
in making known.
Zone of the most potent was that
the present spirit of commercial un-
rest, of absorbing interest IN the Sc
rious business situation, would pre-
vent the cooperation and curtail the
interest, energies and financial assist
ance that would be needed.
1.-TWO of the clergy" he said, were
asked to communicate with DR.. Hale
before the revivalist took up the mat
ter of prohibition. They did so, ex-
pressing their interest in the services
of the evangelist and wishing him
God speed in his work. They re-
ported the result of the conference be-
fore DR.. Hale, giving reasons why the
election was deemed i~neXpedient and
as they believed would be unsuccess-
full and urging that if he could coz
sistent1y do so he would refrain from
precipitating an election n would
let the revivalist's services be a part
of an educational campaign, looking
10 a united movement for prohibition
later.
mo Difference" he continued. twas
paid to his suggestion; the fight has
been precipitated and many of the
clergy feel justified in %resenting the
imputation that they are hostile or
apathetic to the general cause of need
ed reform"
"Can you say" was asked whether
other things influenced the ministers
in their attitude?"
In reply it. was stated: 81 a say
for myself and for a number of my
fellow clergy that there is n other
thing which would prevent our &C
cepting the present leadership OF the