The Detroit times., 1911-02-13
''sAPROPHYTE' IS
SLAMMED HARD
Pastors Union Commends Gov.
Osborn for Reference To Saloons
In Inaugural Message.

Gov. Osborn, OF Michigan, was q
live issue before the Pastors union
In its monthly meeting In the auditor
ium of the Y. M. @. A.. Monday morn
ing. He came under discussion In
with the recommendation
of the committee on antisaloon work
The committee commended the gov
ernor's reference to the saloon In his
inaugural message and drafted reso
lutlons supporting, in particular, the
extract:
Temperance Is a matter OF per-
sonal discipline and Is more Of a
moral and social problem than
political. The regulation OF the
liquor trafic Is largely political
function. The upheaval and In
terest In Michigan and over the
country along these lines are, in
my opinion, aimed more at the
liquor traffic than at the temper
ate use of alcoholic beverages. II
appears that temperance Is handi-
capped unless those who believe
even In rationalism become excit-
ed and militant. The saloon Of
today Is a social saprophyte. Al
ways Ii has been a breeding place
of lawlessness and q culture
ground of vice, etc.
The union was about TO adopt the
OF the committee,
when the Rev. DR.. Ryan, superan'
nuated Methodist clergyman, inter
jected a protest, declaring that the
union should not adopt any OF the
he I'd InH
prior to the point where
ne mentions that ''the saloon OF to-
lay Is q social saprophyte." Mr..
Ryan argued that those engaged In
the liquor business would be very
glad IL the Pastors union approved of
the governors statement that "tem-
perance is q matter OF personal discip-
Iine," etc. He moved that all refer
ence TO the question previous to the
'saprophyte" sentence be eliminated
frvns. the acURmttte eEoport.3 His
was seconded, but that IL
rs far as II got, for the reason that
The Rev. ]. NJ. Barkley. pastor of the
Presbyterian church,
pointed out that DR.. Ryan was out of
order. inasmuch as he Is q retired
and, therefore, not pas
tor within the meaning OF the unions
President Fixes said
Mr., Barkley's point was well taken.
The committees recommendations
we're then adopted. the only dissenting
voice being that of DR.. Ryan, who said
No" so loudly that 1t echoed through
the auditorium.
The Rev. j. Percival Huget, pastor
Of the First Congregational church,
strongly opposed DR.. Ryan's amend
ment, declaring that 1t would be un-
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-
lion were of social and personal regu-
ation. while others come under gov
control, was well taken.
The executive committee reported
that II had referred to the committee
on economics the question Of the attl-
Iude 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. %. Among
those to speak In the meeting, he
said, would be Bishop Anderson,
Chicago; President
OF the Iowa Central rail-
way, and the Rev. DR.. Courtland, 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 Is
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 q number OF church services to
be conducted In the city during Lent,
In addition to the five 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. DR.. Barkley. took place. Prayer
was continued for 80 minutes, the
burden OF II being petitions for divine
help during the coming evangelistic