The Detroit times., 1911-02-14
"sAPROPHYTE" IS
SLAMMED HARD
Pastor' Union Commends Gov.
Osborn for Reference To Saloons
In Inaugural Message. +.

Gov. Osborn. OF Michigan, was
live issue before the Pastors union
In It's monthly meeting In the auditor
ium OF the Y. NJ. c. A., Monday morn
ing. He came under discussion In
connection with the recommendation
OF the committee on anti-saloon WORK
The committee commended the gov
errors reference TO the saloon In his
inaugural message and orarted reso-
buttons supporting. in particular, the
following extract
Temperance Is matter OF per
sonal discipline and Is more. or
moral and social problem than
political The regulation OF me
liquor tiaffic is largely political
function. The upheayal and IN
terest in Michigan and over the
country along these lines are, In
my opinion aimed more al the
LIQUOR traffic than at the temper
ate use of alcoholic beverages. IL
appears that temperance Is handi-
capped unless those who believe
even I'm rationalism become excit-
ed and militant. The saloon or
today Is a social saprophyte. Al
ways IL has been a breeding place
OF lawlessness and culture
ground of vice, etc.
The union was about TO adopt the
recommendations OF the committee,
when the Rev. DR.. Ryan. superan-
nuated Methodist clergyman, inter
jected a protest, declaring that the
union should not adopt any or the
governors remarks singled out for
commentator prior TO the point where
he mentions that the saloon OF to-
day is a social saprophyte.' Mr..
Ryan argued that those engaged In
the liquor business would be very
glad II the Pastors union approved OF
the governors statement that TEN
perance is a matter OF personal discip-
line, etc. He moved that all refer
ence TO the question previous to the
"saprophyte" sentence be eliminated
from the committees report. His
amendment was seconded, but that Is
as far as II got, for the reason that
the Rev. j. VI. Barley. pastor OF the
Forest-ave. Presbyterian church,
pointed out that Dr. Ryan was out OF
order, inasnuch as he Is a retired
clergyman, and. therefore, not pas
tor within the meaning OF the unions
| constitution. President Fixes said
Mr.. Barkley's point was well taken.
The committees recommendations
were then adopted, the only dissenting
voice being that of Dr. Ryan, who said
mo" so loudly that II echoed through
the auditorium.
The Rev. j. Percival Huget, pastor
OF the First Congregational church,
strongly opposed DIR. Ryan's amend
ment, declaring that It would be I'M
fair to the governor to approve any
OF his remarks IL not ALL. He thought
the point OF the governor In declar-
Ing that portions OF the liquor situa-
ton were OF social and personal regu-
lation, while others come under gov
ornamental control, was we'll taken.
| The executive committee reported
that IL had referred to the committee
on economics the question OF the atti-
tude OF. the Detroit Free Press toward
(, Professionalism.
The Rev. j. M. Barkley, chair
| man OF the spiritual committee, said
that arrangements were about COM
pleted for the big revival, for men and
women, to be held In the Woodward
ave. Baptist church, Feb. 20. Among
those to speak in the meeting, he
said, would be Bishop Anderson.
Episcopalian, Chicago: President
Stevenson, of the Iowa Central rail
way, and the Rev. DR.. CORTLAND, of
the fremont Temple, Baptist, OF Bos-
ton. Mr.. Barkley also said that Fred
Butler, OF Chicago, former grand
opera star, now evangelistic singer,
would sing In the meeting. He In
said to be talented basso. Admis-
sion will be free, but tickets will be
issued for the service.
This meeting will be the forerunner
OF a number OF church services to
be conducted in the city during Lent,
in addition to the Ave weeks OF Len
ten service to be held In the Detroit
opera house by the different Protest
ant denominations in the city.
Following the routine work Of the
union, devotional exercises, led by
Rev. iDr. Barley. took place. Prayer
was continued for 80 minutes. the
burden of It being petitions for divine
help during the coming evangelisric
campaign