The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1910-09-15
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CHURCHES AND THE SALOON
Decrease In Number Of Ohio Dram
Shops Followed by Increase In
Church Members.


An analysis Of the Presbyterian
churches of Ohio in local option dis
tricts. by Rev. Frederick N. McMil-
Ian, chairman of the committee on
evangelical work OF the synod OF
Ohio. shows a suggestive increase du-
during the past two years In the mum.
Der OF communicates. says United
Presbyterian. From this report II ap.
pears that the decrease in the num-
Der of saloons is followed by a nota-
BILE increase In the membership OF the
churches. The reasons assigned are
that when men are drinking they
have no money TO sufficiently clothe
their wives and children that they
may attend church with any degree
II self-respect. The families OF drink.
ne men are discouraged and lack
,eart to appear in places OF religious
,oncourse. Mr.. Mcmillan says: RE
igion and whisky wifi not mix. Drink.
Ing men keep women and children
away from church through shame.
ear. poverty and want OF heart. Many
woman says: I haven't the heart to
20 10 church when my husband Ia
drinking; he doesn't want us TO 20 to
church. and will not 20 because my
children and myself cannot dress as
well as others"
This want OF heart IL one OF the
most depressing conditions that can
befall any one. The sense OF disgrace.
on account OF being the companion
OF a drunkard. has kept many a wife
shut up In her solitary home, nursing
the vultures that are eating out her
very heart. The consultations OF the
gospel would give her hope. but oh.
the humility of Il; the human nature
OF IT. The dread OF appearing where
her very presence would be an adver-
tisement OF her own humiliation no
doubt accounts for many sorrowful
wives failing TO identify themselves
with any church.
IL requires no argument 20 show
that the average drinking man will
not go 20 church. He takes no inter.
est In such things. His companions
are not there. There is little in com
mon between him and those who wor-
ship God. lie is az the extreme anti.
podes OF society. His moral sense Is
benumbed. and the whole association
Of the saloon is 10 deepen and inten-
sify opposition to religion and purity
OF life. When God plants a church
the devil comes 20 plant saloon
nearby. II he can. lie must hold his
own converts. II he can. He must win
over some OF the church members. II
he can. He must lay his fiery skew
ers 20 burn the feet OF the children.
II he can.
the devil over the lives OF men and
women. Is TO destroy the works OF the
devil. The saloon system Is the great
barrier between the drinker and the
church. Its destruction means saner
moments for the drinker, when he can
think more OF the things OF the king
dom OF God. and the things. too. that
viii promote the betterment OF his
home. II gives his family an oppor-
tunity 20 take heart. 10 regain hope,
and 10 look upon life with some de-
~ee Of joyfulness. There is no doubt
but there would be a greater DISPOSE
ton on the part OF the drinkers fam.
lily. and the drinker himself. to at.
tend the public worship OF God n he
spent his money at home and for his
home. A reformed husband and faith
or means sunshine 20 the home. and
the grateful family will have an espe-
ciaI reason for expression OF gratitude
10 God by a public profession of his
name. Every argument that supports
the saloon opposes the church.