Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-27
N. /. WAR STARTED
FOR PROHIBITION
Four Bishops Sign Appeal to
Ministry and Laity to
Fight Vets.
BY tn. Associated Press.


ministry and laity OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church South were called
upon to fight against the outlawed
LIQUOR trafic and "would-be nullifers
OF the law" in a statement issued last
night by four Methodist bishops
Quoting the episcopal address Of
1922, that 1T Is incumbent upon every
good citizen to work for the placing In
power of men who are sincere friends
OF the law" the statement sets forth
numerous utterances Of the General
Conference of the church to show the
attitude of the church on prohibition.
1t Is signed by Bishops James Cannon.
jr., of Richmond. John w. Moore OF
Dallas, Edwin Mouson of Charlotte and
Horace M. Duhose of Nashville.
Referring to a. recent statement by
Bishop Warren A, Gambler Of Atlanta,
which was concurred iu by Bishop Col
Inns Denny OF Richmond. the statement
said there was no desire to criticize
statements by Methodist bishops be-
tween 1868 and 1894 on personal and
party politics Bishop Gambler said
in his statement, Il see no reason 10
dissent from the position OF my church
on the subject of personal and party
politics. as that position has been pro-
claimed authoritatively by It's leaders
from the beginning OF its history as
Christian body"
On July 10 Bishop Collins Denny is
sued q statement In which he said:
To the summary Of the official posi-
tion of our church prepared by my col
league and friend. Bishop Gambler,
give my hearty concurrence.
1T Ia not our desire or purpose to
discuss or criticize any of the state
ments made by the bishops OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church South be-
tween 1865 and 1894 on the position
Of the church on the subject of per.
sonal and party politics" said the
bishops last night. Those bishops
openly and courageousiy met In their
own way the conditions which con-
fronted them In those days, but II Is
likewise true that bishops, ministers
anud iaymen OF our church In our day
and generation have met with equal
frankness and courage the great moral
issues which have confronted them.
Therefore. In view Of the statement
made by Bishops Gambler and Denny
and the Interpretation which has been
placed thereupon by the opponents Of
prohibition, IL becomes absolutely neces-
sary that the attitude OF the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South on the
question Of prohibition should be
plainly set forth by quotations from
Episcopal addresses and from the on
ciai record of the general conference
Of the church. which utterances OF the
highest and most representative body
OF the church must be accepted as the
final authority
Quotations from recent episcopal adj
dresses and recent acts tieio-1926l OF
the General Conference, which is the
highest authority OF the church. and
which Is composed OF an equal number
Of preachers and laymen, were given to
indicate the definite. positive attitude
OF the Methodist Episcopal Church
South on the subject Of prohibition
The abolition of the liquor trafiic Is
regarded rs great moral issue and the
entire membership of the church. both
and laity. are called upon TO
light unitedly with visor and persist
entity the 0utlAwed criminal traiic and
the would-be nullifers Of the Law.
I'VE emphasize that i'm the episcopal
address OF 1926 IL Is declared that It
is incumbent upon every good citizen.
ministers and 1aymen) TO work for the
placing I'm power Of men who are SIM
cere friends OF the law
Also In the last recorded aetion of
the General Conference 1890 Il Is
declared that In our State. from con-
stable to governor, and In the Nation,
from revenue agent to President, ON
Gals must be selected who believe in
enforcement not only because prohibi-
ton Is the law, but because it ought 10
be the law and all our people (rninis-
ters as well as laymenl are called upon
10 exert their fun influence rs Chris
tisns and patriotic citizens Of our Re-
public.
1T would be an unthinkable repudia-
ton Of our, personal responsibility as
Christian citizens. and & base betrayal
Of those who have q right 70 Took To
Us for moral leadership. to retire from
the field at this critical juncture In
the warfare with the aee-long enemy
of mankind. We notify. the defenders
and the advocates OF the liquor traf-
lnc that the moral forces Of the coun-
try VIII not be driven from the field
oy the cry that they are bringing the
church into politics because they are
opposing the election 10 the presidency
4 man whose personal and officiai rec.
ord both brand him a. the .outstand-
Ing enemy Of national prohibition. for
which great reform We have ourselves,
not only as citizens but also a. Chris
tan ministers. bsen working for many
years
The extracts quoted show that IN our
present attitude and activity we are In
full accord with the highest. authority
,f Our church. Edwin Mouzon. John
Y. Moore. Horace H. Dubose. James
jr." !,