South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-04-08
SCORES MISHAWAKAN
FOR WATKINS EPISODE
Writer in Patriot PhaIanx of
indianapolis DepIores "Dic-
tatOrShip" Following Address
on Temperance.

tTiot PhalanX. OF Indianapolis, signed
by ]. Raymond Schmidt, has aroused
considerable interest in Mishawaka:
Two weeks ago 1 worshiped in the
Eberhart Memorial NJ. +. church OF
I Mishawaka The white stone struc-
ture is OF imposing grandeur; the fur
nisnings the very best money can pro-
vide. In the tower are chimes that
remind the people Of Mishawaka sab
bath after Sabbath that the hour OF
worship is approaching. sacred
concert every Sunday morning Tor all
the people Not every city of like size
enjoys the same esthetical privilege.
The occasion of my visit was the
/ lecture to be delivered at the morn
ing service by Or. Aaron s. Watkins.
who has been delivering such inspir-
7 ing addresses up and down the state.
/ The doctor and l were there early
{ enough to participate in the Sunday
I school He addressed two of the
| Sunday school departments and came
/ to the Mems Bible class for the con-
! Guiding remarks of the teacher, Ed
ward G. Eberhart, a prominent man.
ufacturer and chief among the build
ers of the church, erected in honor Of
/ his parents
J The caption OF the morning was
= Lessons BY the Wayside'. and Mr..
Q Eberhardt grew eloquent as he urged
a discriminating study of the scrip
/ lures. Were l the Methodist church,
! J would want my people to find out
great religious truths for themselves.
never taking a thing for granted be-
cause our fOrefathers did" spoke Mr.
Eberhardt in an attempt to persuade
members Of the class TO stand above
! prejudice and dogma.
According To an understanding be-
u III u 4
! the pastor. DR.. Loren NJ. Edwards,
/ the audience enjoyed the rare privilege
of hearing DR.. Watkins deliver his in
/ spring sermon-lecture, why | Am a
/ Temperance Man. The many salient
arguments found lodging in the hearts
/ of the people. and all outwardly en-
! jOyed the doctors keen analysis OF the
! liquor problem. In closing his address
! DR. Watkins read the Shaw Pledge, at
the same time asking all who would
join such a political crusade to come
forward and sign at the dismissal OF
the morning service.
Mr.. Eberhardt's Protest.
Before the pastor could announce
the concluding song. the aforesaid
Mr.. EbeThardt was on his feet. The
audience sat amazed Their amaze
ment turned to chagrin as Mr.. Eber-
hardt proceeded to place his taboo on
what had just been said Contrary
have just heard is a party address.
In the failure of any other party TO
adopt prohibition, you would be COM
mitted to vote the prohibition ticket
In the event you sign the agreement
just presented. The Methodist church
divorced itself from the prohibition
party at Baltimore in 1908. and since
then has worked with the Anti-SaloOn
league The speech of the morning
takes a contrary position to that main
tanned by the Anti-SalOon league.
mention these things that you may not
act Unadvisedly." Thus spoke the
donor and dictator of the Eberhardt
Memorial church
one must hear Dr. Watkins in his
lecture. why | Am a Temperance
Man. to appreciate it's fairness and
breadth of treatment as applied to the
liquor problem. Only a week ago two
Sunday audiences were captured to a
man by the logic, with and Christian
spirit of the same address. But this
particular audience seemed different
~ affected: or. shall l say that the
views held by the proprietor were
somehow impeached? To where had
Proprietor Eberhardt's admonitiOns to
always seek the truth with an open
mind flown? or did he really intend
that there should be an exception TO
the rule in the case of his pet theories
relative 10 local option, the Anti-Sa-
loon league and the republican party?
For 1 am supremely glad that Mr..
Eberhardt confines his dictatorship TO
the restricted circle of his home
church. Elsewhere such narrOwnesS
would not be tolerated for a minute.
Did Not Deign To Reply.
DR.. Watkins displayed his usual
courtesy in not deigning to make reply.
The contrast between the impudence
OF the one and the Quaker quietneSS OF
the other should mean added friends
for our cause in that very church, and
1 believe that il will.
The South Bend Tribune. in a
lengthy comment on the fiaScO,
states that the minister declined the
privilege of an offering. The state
ment is a little at variance with the
facts in the case. The pastor assured
the writer that il would be proper
for two men 10 stand at the exits and
receive whatever Offering the people
might have for our work Detecting
heStancy in the speech and man |
ner Of the pastor. / assured him there |
would be no Offering unless heartily /
entered into by pastor and people. I
That settled it.
But the assurances of good Will re- |
Ceived by the doctor at the conclusion |
OF the service We're indeed encOurag-
ing. Quite a number signed the Shaw I
Pledge. and we feel that all went /,
away thinking new line of thought as 4
touching the attitude OF the church TO 4
the temperance question.