Wesleyan Church and Prohibition

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1104, 27 September 1904, Page 2

Wesleyan Church and Prohibition

The past and present attitudo of tho Wcsloyan Church to Prohibition was imported into a pro-liconso v, no-licenso debato on Friday week at Wellington, Mr, Collins quoted John Wcsly in Blenching to tho effect that tho meets and drinks of tho earth wero to bo enjoyed; ami ho quoted resolutions of a Wosloyan Conference in 1841, directed against tho use of unfermentod wino in churches, tho use of Wcsloyan cliapols for tenipcranco meetings, and against any minister advocating toototaliain in a circuit of another minister without tho latter')! consent. Which was right? nskod Mr Collms-tho Wosloyan Church of 18-11, or that of today ? " Thoy'ro right now," criod a section of tho audience. h Vory well," placidly replied the pro'liconso champion, "whoro will they bo in another fifty yoars? 1 , (Laughter.) Mr, Isilt, m reply, admitted thai tho church had boon slow in couiine; along the road that ho and his party had travelled, Ho admitted that one timo tho Wcsloyan Church illowed stewards of racing clubs to bo oflice-boarors. (A voice: " Quito right.") But thoy never allowed tho jockoy to bo an ollicc-bcarer. Tho change had como through ,moro light being thrown. John Wcsloy did not know everything. Ho used to differential o between boer and spirits; but thoy knew now that tho cuuiulativo efl'est of beer was worse than that of spirits, Mr. Collins subsequently maintained that even at Ibis moment, with all tho light that had been thrown, Mr. Isitt and thoso who soo with him are in a minority in tho church.