New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-25
BOOZE AND BIAS
Are Clergymen by Profession
Wholly Disinterested?

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: I see In The Tribune tina; the Rev l.
J. Beynon. pastor Of the Calvary Bspii''
Church. would have my ,e.ter 10 ,he eG'o-
Of The Tribune discredited because, fo''
sooth. | am not "disintere ted"
Thanks to early training, am respected
% any and all clergymen, but ! would fan
ask the Rev. Mr. Beynon if he. himself Is
"disinterested' in the matter OF prohibition
do not mean TO be mpolite, but II really Is
a fact that could not hold my present pos
ton as editor Of liquor journal, nor a.
president Of the National Model Lieense
League, if were 20 advocate prohibition, and.
such being the case. would like 70 kno" i
the Rev Mr.. Beynon could hold bis presen'
position as pastor Of the Calvary Baptist
Church if he were 70 oppose prohibition!
Ny reason for asking IS that numerous
cases of forced designations" OF pastors
have followed the refusal Of such pastors y
teach or preach prohibition. 90 n0''
course. upbraid any pastor for any eou'',
that he may pursue. A pastor is above Sh'
beyond my criticism for the simple reason
that am a mere man, whereas every ps'"'
is invested with spiritual and superhuna'
authority. Nevertheless, | sometimes Vsn',
ure 70 wonder why pastor should be iofee'
to resign if, indeed, he should decline 70 F"
a prohibitionist.
have even had the temerity 20 search W
Scriptures to see if there be any sutn0'N
therein for unfrockng a pastor who does Nv
preach prohibition. When ] say n''
searched the Scriptures ! refer, Of course y
the Bible of Christianity and not 70 Wv
Koran OF Mahometanism. Prohibition o. ~
use of the juice of the grape Is, oehe''
upheld in the Koran, although ! an '0''
there is no injunction in the Koran sgah''
the use of whiskey, brandy or beer NV
ever. as far as the Bible is concerned nov,
found no advocacy Of prohibition. In iS''
have found that the use mot the abuse 0.
wine and of strong drink is commenced o..
commanded in the Bible. have fouho "',
the Founder Of the Christian religion us'.
wine and even made wine for use on festive
occasion.
For my part. could not BE- a ChFl'usl
pastor If being a Christian pastor reqI'..
that I should IN effect be forced to repual'y,
the teaching and example Of the Founder g
Christianity. | am willing 70 conceae'
course, that there are many CHRISTIAN ps'' =,
Who would forfeit their pupiis ana
rounce even Christianity itself ra'Ae, -.
preach against prohibition. II Ar. Dey.s,
feels that way about IL | have no eOin--l
70 make mainly because he Is ahs"e. u
only 20 his conscience and to the soui''
his authority. .s;.;,.
But to return 10 the question Of o's",
terestedness.' What does 10 amour. W,
what [ say is true and the Rev 5lH Ds -.
has not. as set, accused me OF tellins -.
hood. Indeed. 10 is sometimes the pfi."s,
and perhaps the pleasure. OF pastors N.
cuse me of bearing false witness, ana ~, 80
f,rbearance to date : would IKE 10 -,
the Rev Mr.. Beynon Nevertheless Dc -,
be As well TO say now. rather than neisa. 49,,
that any figures that ! may use or any -,
ments OF fact 70 which ! may sign ny
are taken from authoritative sources ,,
In short. | do not ask any man on
pastor 20 take my word for any N..s.,s
merely recite facts OF record. and the Is'y.'
arc accessible 10 all For instance ,ss
assert that prohibition is repudatea " ),
Holy Bible, it is not essential pns orer
"disinterested." The Bible IS a reeo ta,,,io,
10 inspection When ! say that prV rom zee
does not prohibit. I refer TO the pVil'' Ksr
ords Of Portland. Maine. or lopeN'. an
When say that prohibtionists DO no. o.s',;s,
real prohibition. ! refer 20 the pton.",,,ie,
laws that provide for shipping vast qus" ssy
of liquor in prohibition states. VIZ rre
that nationwide prohibition ~oula e..,,5'
hibit. / refer 20 "The Congre,sions. - IS
which shows that the TIobson BILL oss.ss,,iOi
the Anti-Saoon League and oy ,,.us.
pastors. would permit the importation. q
portation. manufacture aud dis .i'u -. %
liquor for personal. medicinal and soe
say. sscramcntal use. r. N. 1lLNV r,..
President National Model License Le''
Louisville. Ny. FEB. Is. 1915.