Year: 1872




Tobacco is an Indian weed,


1t was the devil s0wed the seed.


Such is the device which large party
among our friends of the Methodist persua-
sion have inscribed on their banner. With
that wide-awakeness to guard against the
wiles of the Evil One which marks the true
Christian, those fighters of the good fight are
resolved not to be caught mapping at their
post. Recognizing that the ways of wicked
ness are many, they look with suspicion and
even with aversion on the treacherous narcotic
weed by whose aid the Old Boy would seek to
wrap their senses in oblivion. To their minds
the fires of the pipe bowl are like unto the
fires on the altars Of Baal, and they fly from
the unholy influence of the smoke incense.
Unfortunately opinion is divided on the sub
Ject, for weak brothers have listened to the
lnsldlous promptings of the senses and are
fast bound by potent tobacco spells No rea-
son can convince these wanderers from the
straight and cloudless path of unsmoked
Methodism Of the error of their ways, and they
march on to destruction stubbornly in q cloud
OF their own making which prevents
them from perceiving the abyss that
lies in their path and is visible to their clearer
sighted brothers. The anti-smokists were not
inclined to be as consistent as men ought to
be in the cause of virtue; for we must regard
the attempt to pass resolution recommending
''young" ministers to abstain from the use Of
the dangerous and enticng weed as O COM
promise with the enemy unworthy Of such
high moralsts. Why abandon the aged
smokers to their fate? The thought was un-
charitable and unchristian. Then the younger
members might well feel aggrieved that the
elders hoary should be allowed to enjoy certain
questionable privileges from which their mora
youthful brethren were excluded.


This proposition very nearly produced re-
volt, and though the managers Of the Confer
ence are pretty well used to stormy scenes
they found it necessary to abandon their COM
abstain apply to all classes Of the ministry.
Not without considerable opposition did those
who see damnation in cigars carry their point
While these denounced its baneful influence the
smoking brethren proclaim with no uncertain
voice its virtues. Father Richardson stood
forward boldly as the champion Of the weed; for
sixty years he had found it sovereign remedy
for almost every kind of disease. He said
Shakespeare knew nothing about it, or he
would never have recommended spermacei.
Not alone would he strongly advise the rising
generation to smoke, but to smoke largely,
and even to chew. This was carrying the war
into Africa with vengeance; but the band Of
Christian men who wish to see Methodism
without stain or smoke rallied and overthrow
their octogenarian foe But victory was not
yet, for Osborn took hold by the teeth and
carried on the tobacco war; Not alone had he
found it good for the general health, but
invaluable as preserver of his worries Three
times had he abandoned the weed, and each
time had he been punished by the loss of
tooth. Having now arrived at that stage when
he could no longer afford to make experiments
OF this nature he was resolved not to aban-
don his pipe under any consideration. But
out avail, and the holy men voted pipes an
abomination without any saving clause. This
new dogma of Methodism will be hailed with
delight by thu ladies whose parlors are desc
Grated by the all-invading cigar, but we fear it
will prove hard matter to make the moro
muscular part Of the Christian community
accept the new article Of faith, and as the
Conference can put forth no claim to infalli-
resolution will end in smoke.