The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-09-01
CHURCHES BEGIN
CRUSADE: AGAINST
ALLLAWLESSNESS
National Council Of !Congre-
gationaI Churches Issues
Battle Cry,

A campaign to combat lawlessness
in America today was started by the
National Council Of the Congrega.
tionaI Churches in a coast to coast
crusade to increase respect for law
and ORDER
Every Congregational pastor in
Indianapolis and other cities today
was considering an appeal for ac-
ton against the widespread viola
ton OF the eighteenth amendment"
Walter A. Morgan. chairman OF
the Congregational Commission on
Law Enforcement, and Howard E
Clark, vice chairman, has sent to
every Congregational Church in
America, an appeal for action.
your commission on law en-
forcement." the official letter OF the
council states, elected by the Ma
tional Council, impressed by sense
CT its responsibility for quickenins
the Congregational Churches Of
America into effective action, wortny
.of the Sons OF Pilgrims, to combat
the present general lawlessness and
the widespread violation Of the
Eighteenth Amendment to our Con-
stitution, sets before all our min
listers and churches the following
suggestions:
90 That the fragrant way in
which the Eighteenth Amendment
is violated by certain classes is a
disgrace to America.
"(2) That 1t constitutes a serious
menace to the whole fabric Of law
and order, since If one law can De
broken with impunity, many will
take the same attitude toward other
aalleged unwelcome laws. He who
laughs at the law. laughs at his
own safety
"(3) That in the present crisis a
peculiar responsibility rests upon
our churches. The church people,
expressing the majority. made pos
sible this law and upon them now
falls the task Of expressing the pub
lie demand for rigid enforcement.
az That this can best be done by
knowledge Of the facts which will
help to correct the widespread mis-
understanding and ignorance Of the
situation. This was not put over
by few in time OF war; but was in
process Of going over because of the
sentiment OF the financial, indus
trial. scientific and religious people
proof Of this we may mention that
95 per cent Of our population dwelt
in dry States and subdivisions
thereof before the amendment went
into effect. These and other facts
must be given to the people.
A Challenge
1.-THE existing situation constitutes
a challenge. Our forefathers be-
lieved In law and order and in de-
mocracy-governme by the people.
IN that faith they founded the Com
monwealth OF Massachusetts, and
thereby laid the model and founda-
ton for the Government at Wash
ington. The question now is wheth-
err a Republic so conceived and so
establishedscan enforce its own laws.
and whether it's churches can create
the moral sentiment that demands
law enforcement.
IF our Christianity cannot func-
ton so as TO make moral men and
law abiding citizens here in America,
then 1t is certainly high time we
recognized the impotence OF our re-
ngion and quit trying to foist 1t
upon others in foreign lands. Eth
er our religion must work here or
It will not work anywhere. II 1t
cannot work here. then in common
honesty we ought to abandon our
whole missionary movement and
quit exporting to others for their use
what we are unable to make effec-
tive for our own. This Is the real
spiritual issue of prohibition.
But we have faith in the faith
OF our fathers in Christianity, in
democracy. We believe the present
laws can be enforced and that It is
the peculiar duty of all ministers to
express the popular sentiment in the
churches. Moreover. we md in this
situation a reason for giving not
less to missions but moro than ever
before. In this faith this commits
sion asks all our ministers--to read
carefully the enclosed literature; to
convey the knowledge to their con-
gregations; to try to get the whole
subject on the programs Of their
local ministerial associations and
State conferences. Finally. we be-
lieve that the enforcement OF the
Eighteenth Amendment should be