Show Theology and lobacco In the reports of proceedings at several recent conferences of the Methodist Church we find the announcement an-nouncement that candidates for the ministry were each asked if they would abstain from the use of tobacco to-bacco in any form and that their answer was received with loud applause ap-plause even to the extent we suppose sup-pose of shaking the spittoons conveniently con-veniently placed throughout the building for the use of the older brethren Now it is well known that philosophers among whom we will gladly count theologians have I been addicted to the ue of tobacco Sir Walter Raleigh who introduced the weed into England found his chief solace in a pipe as did Sir Isaac Newton of whom it is related that when one day smoking in the presence of a lady to win m he was as affectionately attached as a philosopher philo-sopher could be he took her hand und instead as she expected of making a declaration of love used one of her delicate fingers as a pipe stopper Now with example of two such eminent men before us is it to be supposed that weak human nature will not imitate thtm And if we come down to modern times we find some of our most noted literati and divines styling tobacco an aid to reflection Its use has spread to all classes of society and iu speaking of its effects a well known writer says that Hit produces a state of languor or repose most agreeable to those accustomed to its use What more necessary therefore there-fore than that our clerical friends should have something with which to soothe them after their vigorous vigor-ous land persistent attacks on immorality im-morality and infidelity The Turk who smokes incessantly is impervious impervi-ous to trouble a phlegmatic Dutchman Dutch-man finds a pipe a preventive of vexation or irritation and the councils coun-cils of the silent Indian are always conducted in a dignified manner owing doubtless to the presence of the pipe which accompanies them With all due reverence be it said that theological as well as political discussions are not always free from acrimony and instead of forbidding the use or tobacco it might be productive pro-ductive of good to introduce it into public deliberations so that in the charm of its presence and by the fragrance of its odor old wounds might be healed and peace and harmony reign supreme In private as well as in public life its soothing influence is often felt and it is not unlikely that even Jupiter himself when Juno was cross and petulant retired to a neighboring bank of clouds and let his domestic troubles pass away with the smoke that curled up in ethereal fashion from his pipe It is of course admitted that at different times objections having the weight of kingly and priestly authority have been made against the habit King James the Sixth who was a staunch churchman and a descendant of that other king who the old historian styled Ua sore saint to the crown wrote a famous Counterblast against Tobacco but this is more than counterbalanced by the fact that if Christopher Columbus Col-umbus had not discovered America the plant in question would hay been unknown and as that gentleman has been enrolled in the calendar of saints it would be presumptions to conclude that he was instrumental in discovering anything of a pernicious perni-cious character It pains us to observe ob-serve that these worthy preachers while compelling candidates for the ministry to abstain from the weed leave it optional to acting ministers as to what course to pursue Seriously Seri-ously however we cannot agree with these worthy men m this crusade cru-sade against tobacco Jenny said an old Scottish elder to a young woman who was arraigned before the kirk for having danced at a ball what were you thinking of when you were dancing Nbthing wrong was the trembling culprits reply Then Jenny was the sage advice always dance And if a man thinks that he has a call to preach the gospel and yet can consistently con-sistently smoke his pipe let him enjoy his belief His influence for good will not be weakened thereby nor his flow of spiritual thought obstructed There are graver social soc-ial and ecclesiastical questions than this clamoring for a hearing and there is a danger that while tithing mint and rue and all manner of herbs men may pass over judgment judg-ment and the love of God 0 |