The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-07-25

Bishop y. s.. Johnston, of the Episco-
pal Diocese OF Western Texas, deliv-
cred in st. Marks Episcopal Church at
San Antonio, Texas. recently. SER
wide prohibition movement now in
progress and spoke of the ministers
and Christians who are leaders in
that movement as good and jealous
men who are making mistake that
may have grave consequences to the
religion of Jesus Christ. ~
He argued for local option and for
enforcement Of reasonable regulation
laws. such as will be supported by a
public opinion that will enforce obed-
tence to the law. He declared that
the saloons Influence In politics has
been pernicious, but said the saloon
will remain In politics ~ long as the
church does. He predicted that II the
saloon IL abolished as q punishment
for its sins 1t will remain dormant only
until the evils of prohibition are under
stood and then the people will return
to a reasonable middle ground and
adopt such regulation laws as can be
enforced, and enforce them.
He strongly opposed legislation
which regulates what a man shall eat.
or what he shall drink. and declared
that Gods way of dealing with men Is
20 leave them their liberty. above all
things. and then try by moral suasion
and good example to win them to do
right because It is right. and not COM
pei them by physical force 10 conform
to opinions they have not espoused-
He took three texts. They are: Let
no man therefore Judge you In meat
or In drink" Col. H.. 16: $50 then ev-
cry one shall give account of himself
TO God" Romans xiv, l2-13; u speak
to wise men. Judge he what say"
Cor. K. Is.
would Allay Gossip.
There IL no saner statement in any
writing In briefer space. defining mans
relations and responsibilities toward
his fellow man. than Is contained in the
fourteenth chapter of Romans, from
which my first text Is taken. wish
had time to read II all; you can do so
when you go home.
lowing to the constant agitation
which Is being stirred up on the sub
ject OF prohibition, and which will
doubtless continue to go on for the
next two years, with increasing vehe-
mence. IL not violence, to the disturb
ance of the public peace and destruct-
lon of private friendships feel that
am called upon, as occupying posi-
ton of prominence in the community
by reason Of my official relation to the
church, to make my attitude on this
question clear at the beginning, lest my
silence should be construed into indif-
ference on q matter of great public
interest. or even of sympathy with the
saloon element.
Should such an impression get
abroad, as II easily might, II would un-
questfonably prove highly injurious to
that branch OF the church of Christ
for whose good name i am, In meas
ure, responsible, for doubtless in the
heat and passion that will be aroused
during the campaign. already begun,
there will not be lacksng men of in
temperate tongues. who Will insinuate,
or even openly assert, that have ta-
ken sides with the saloons and am
therefore, no better than a heather and
not fit for the ministry.
nOf course, In this manner, I speak
for myself alone. and neither for In
dividuals nor for this church, OF which
II remains true to this day, as was de-
clared in the frst words of Magma
Charta. Tcclesia Angelicana liberia
sit'---the Church of England land We
may add. all her daughter churches'
must be free.'
II the Freest Church.
81 speak advisedly and without fear
Of successful REPUTATION when say