The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-09-03
PEOPLES FORUM


\ Challenge to Our Churches.
Editor OF The virginian:
Sir.--For a long time the liquor traffic. like a
mighty giant from the ranks of the Philistines
has marched before the tents OF Israel In utter
defiance of the church of the living God. Yet
Israel skulked in her tents and this giant was
allowed to walk and work with but little effort
of resistance. until finally some bold-spirited
men. with a purpose born of God, organized
tn smselves into union called the Anti-Saloon
league, and this league with the spirit and
bravery of David, accepted the challenge and
began unremittjng warfare. The labors and
methods of this league have been SO success
full and meritofious to receive tho Unanimous
endorsement OF our churches, shown in the
resolutions passed during their annual State
gatherings.
But the time came when the churches had to
DO something more than pass resolutions These
resolutions had endorsed the Anti-Saloon league
and now that the fight is on to a finish, our
churches had to wake up to sense OF their
duty The fact is these resolutions had be-
come laughing -stock for the liquor forces
They said Let the churches pass all the resolu-
tons they want to; will vote their MEM
bers like sheep Notwithstanding.
along in November. when chill was the
weather.
Two ballots were cast in the box together.
They nestled up close like brother to brother;
other.
They were both rum votes and sanctioned the
license plan,
But one was cast by cunning old brewer, the
other by a Sunday school man.
That Sunday -school man, man could be
truer.
He kept busy all summer denouncing the brewer
But hts fever ennlad aft with ssses1acliil OF the
weather.
,ta1
The cunning old brewer jolly good fellow.
Said he, I admire that Sunday school fellow;
To his church he is true. to his party he is
truer;
He talks for the Lord but he votes for the
brewer"
There is more truth than poetry In these
lines, but ! believe it be longer truth
fully said of church members. It ought to
be said with great positiveness that
churches were kept from entering this fight
not from want of interest, but from the fear
Of entering politics To remove this obstacle
the league fought and successfully to have
the bill so pass the Legislature as to be totally
unmixed with politics. clear moral issue
that and nothing else
Seeing and realizing this to be true. the
churches have lined up a solid phalanx and
presented unbroken front to the enemy
Never before has such a splendid spectacle been
seen in Virginia is presented by this line of
Preshyterians, Episcopalians, Baptists, Method
lists. Christians and Catholics all with one mind
the radiance of State of the curse of the
open barroom And from the pulpits of these
churches have sounded like the voice of MANY
tifunders a solemn warming to the meurb that
has put these members sody on their
aroused consciences that it will be impossible
for them to vote otherwise than against the
saloon.
We believe they will do this for several rea-
sons; /. Because their conscience are aroused
as never before O. Because the churches are
lined up as never before. 3. Because the lines
were never sharply drawn and clearly defined
as now. 4. Because all other issues are brushed
aside and just this moral issue confronts
the people and must be passed upon. 8. Because
our churches and will DECIDE this question
way the other. The power Is in their
hands, and the responsibility is heavy the
destiny Of souls and as far reaching eternity.
Now church member. in considering your duty.
remember first. the saloon opposes your church.
it tries to pull down all your church tries to
build up: second. that the saloon has in
nerent right to exist but it exists only by toe-
rated right This is the decision of the highest
courts. 1t has no inherent right because the
courts have decided 1t to be nuisance because
ii creates idleness vagrancy and theft: because
1t impairs vitality destroys energy. murders
ambition and STILES conscience. II ii exists only
by tolerated right then who will be respen-
sihle for continuing this tolerated right? The
answer must De, Our churcnes ana Tor the
reason that the members of our churches can
exercise their right any day except Sunday and
legal holidays and vote them out.
But dubious, and maybe conscientious,
church member may ask, How about their prop
erty rights? The courts have decided that, be-
ing nuisance and existing only tolerated
right. that they have no property right per BE.
That being a tolerated right. they take the
chances of being voted out, just man takes
the chances Of being blown out when he invests
In a powder factory. And yet will allow
them two years time in which to close up.
The challenge Is to our churches. and l am
thoroughly persuaded TINT If we fail in this.
the day OF opportunity, our churches will
be set back twenty years They will he laughed
at their power and influence will be rightly
questioned. Oh. Of God stand up for the
right fear not what men may say but fear only
to do violence to your conscience and dsplease
God. ~
w. w. REYNOLDS
Maronvil1e, Va