The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-11
HOLY BIBLE TO
 SETTLE DISPUTE
 ON PROHIBITION
C. A. WindIe Offers to Debafe Liquor Question Before
 State Legislatures.

Does the Holy Bible uphold or con- demn the principle of prohibition, as applied to the manufacture, sale and use of alcoholic beverages?
 If this question can be answered in the affirmative, then, not only mem bers of the Evangelical churches but all Christians should support prohi- bition regardless of economic cost or loss to individuals, cities, states or the national.
 On the other hand, if there is no justification for prohibition in that. sacred book, or if the Holy Bible sup ports the right to make, sell and use alcoholic beverages in moderation, then every so-called Christian who supports prohibition is a Judas to | Christ.
 | Now that Congress has submitted l the question of national prohibition to | the various states of the Union, | Christians can no longer remain neu-
 tral. There is no room for compro-
 mise.
 The man, be he Wet or dry, who re- fuses to accept the Bible as the final
 authority in determining this issue
 cannot be a Christian. This book purports to be the revealed will of
 God, touching every vital relation of
 life. If it's precepts. instructions and
 examples bearing upon the use of in- toxicants can be set aside, by the
 same parity of reasoning, the entire
 book may be rejected St. Paul de-
 clares, II. Timothy, 3-16:
 "All Scripture is given by inspira-
 ton of God, and is profitable for doc , Urine, for reproof,e for correction, for
 instruction in righteousness"
 The Vets have as much right to say "give us liquor, to Hell with the
 Bible" as the Drys have to say. ito Hell with the Bible, give us prohibi- l tion.'
 To bring the matter squarely before the American people I hereby chal- lenge the Anti-Saloon League. and National Prohibition party to debate
 the following question:
 Resolved, That the prohibition of
 the manufacture, sale and use of alco-
 holfc beverages is contrary to the ' teaching and example of Christ, op-
 posed to the practice of the early
 church, and antagonistic to the Divine } Order, as set forth in Ecclesiastical . History and revealed in the Holy BibIe.''
 3 In debating this proposition I agree l to take the affirmative and meet ac- 3 credited representatives of the Pro- s hibition party or Anti-Saloon League l of America. I would respectively sug- ] gest that the discussion take place 2 before the joint assemblies of state I-Ia +N 4I,o n ] National Prohibition Amendment. OI s the debate might be staged in some = 1 important city, a stenographic repor e taken and a. copy placed in the hand
 of the leading editors, ministers, edu c cators and public officials of An1eri ca. = If as individuals we are to continu, : to build churches and support tn : Christian ministry, we should not per s nit the nation. to repudiate the Bible $ either by retaining the liquor traffic
 or adopting prohibition contrary t Il it's Divine examples and precepts. > I respectfully request all prohibition and liberal newspapers, whose editor u are not afraid of the truth, to publisl
 this challenge, made in good faith ant U all seriousness If my position is un !" tenable the Drys ought to be able am '- more than willing to demonstrate tn
 fact If prohibition is contrary t
 the Bible, the Liberal forces shoult
 1 compel their enemies to submit thei - contentious to this crucial test. Thi challenge is issued to settle the mos
 vital political issue confronting tn # Republic. Now is the time for tn 5 men in charge of the fight agains ;s prohibition to test the convictions -s principles, sincerity and courage o Il the Drys, as well as demonstrat l- their own.-C A Windle, Editor 9 ,s The Ironoclast, Chicago.