THE WESLEYAN CHURCH AND THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 347, 18 March 1897, Page 11

THE WESLEYAN CHURCH AND THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

The Press Association telegraphed to the principal newspapers of New Zealand a summary of what took place at the Wesleyan Conference on Saturday last. As most of our readers are aware, the New Zealand Wesleyan Conference is sitting in Wellington at the present time, and notwithstanding the fact that its chief business is confined to matters affecting the Wesleyan church and the administration of church affairs pure and simple, a section of the conference representatives, comprising clergymen and laity, have dragged in by a sort of side issue the question of prohibition and the relation of their church to the liquor traffic of the colony generally. If we were at all vindictive, or had any desire whatever to gloat over what transpired at the conference in connection with the liquor traffic, and also what took place re the debate on the late elections, we should rejoice exceedingly over the manifest fact that the conference was widely divided in its opinions, and was fully illustrative of the proverb that “ a house divided against itself cannot stand.” We are, however, imbued with a charity more characteristic of toleration and moderation than anything perceivable by a microscopic investigation of what was advanced by the Isitt section of the con-

ference, and therefore we have decided to publish what took place, and in a brief commentary on the proceedings place before our readers what in our opinion is the most charitable construction that can

be placed upon the conference deliberation by a journal which claims to be absolutely independent in its criticisms

on any questions affecting the social wellbeing of the community at large. The following is the full text of the Press message as to what took place at the conference: — At the Wesleyan Conference, Mr J. T. Smith (Christchurch) read the temperance report, and referred to the unsatisfactory mode of conducting the last general election. He urged that a Band of Hope be associated with every Sunday-school, and pointed out that during the year there had been an increase of 32 of these institutions, with

2261 members. He said there was special need for instruction in temperance principles to bands of hope, and complained that too many experienced members of the Church held aloof from this work. The Rev. W. Morley moved to strike out the sentence in the report that it was expedient that prohibition be carried by a bare majority, and said in the interests of temperance itself he took this step. The Rev. F. W. Isitt seconded this motion, and said he did not think the Conference should

commit itself to such a statement. The motion was then carried, and the old committee was re-appointed. The Rev. F. W. Isitt then moved, “ That this Conference, while it regrets that the vote for no licenses was not accepted in any district, yet desires to place on record its satisfaction that so far as they can be relied on, the returns show that the vote for no-license in 1886 was more than doubled by the vote obtained in 1895; it urges the Methodists of the colony to a renewal of activity in their attacks upon the existence of the traffic, which is subversive of all the best interests of humanity, and the chief hindrance to the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth; it affectionately and earnestly advises thatthe consistency of the Church, with its rules and resolutions, be maintained, and that the support which any evil obtains when the Church seems to countenance it may be avoided in future by the non election to any office in Methodism of any man prominently identified with the liquor traffic, or with the promotion of the twin evil of gambling. It further urges that all possible endeavours be made to

remove from such office any that are identified with either of these evils.”

Mr Moxham said that if he had his way every drink-shop would be closed, but that he thought the motion was too drastic. It would exclude chemists who sold alcohol for medicinal purposes, and the manufacturer.

Mr Parker, of Auckland, gave the motion his hearty support. The Rev. J. Simmonds thought that the growing sentiment would abolish abuses without legislation. The Rev. H. Bull referred to one instance he knew where a church had been captured to influence an election because of a resolution on the minutes. He advocated caution in phraseology. The resolution made a gross reflection on certain circuits, and was an attempt to reprimand them. The Rev. T. Fee wished the church to have its hands clear of the traffic altogether. I

Mr Jones spoke in the same strain

The Rev. W. Baumber wanted the latter part of the motion withdrawn, as it aimed at certain churches. The Rev J. S. Smalley did not think it was aimed at any particular individuals. Mr Harding maintained that the motion was in accordance with their principles. The Rev. J. Hounsell wished the motion was less drastic. It would do more harm than good. Mr Hodson spoke in favour of an amendment. He referred to the rapid growth of public opinion, and the last part of Mr Isiit’s proposition was unnecessary.

The Rev. Mr Morley would not give a silent vote. In the minds of some there was a feeling that he was not in sympathy with this work, and indeed within the last few days a notice had been sent to him in the tone of a threat. He was a total abstainer, and was horrified at the ravages of strong drink, and he believed in the use of all lawful means to put an end to the drink traffic. He did not want to hinder Mr Isitt’s work, but it was exceedingly unwise to be often talking as if their church was a hindrance to his wo»k. It was a pity that there should be an implication that they had been in the habit of electing to office men who were engaged in the .traffic. It was untrue. Their church was conspicuous by the fact that a large majority of their members were prohibitionists. He moved that all the words after “ establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth ” be deleted.

The Rev. F. W. Isitt was given permission to alter his original motion by the insertion, after the words above mentioned, “ It congratulates our people on the noble stand taken by them generally in relation to evils of intemperance, and in order to emphasise its rules and past resolutions,

it re-affirms the principle that has actuated the Church in the past, and that no person prominently connected with the drink traffic or the gambling evil should be elected to office in this chErch.”

After some brief remarks by Mr Morley, the amendment moved by him was negatived by 44 to 28, and Mr Isitt’s amendment carried.

It will be observed that Mr J. T. Smith of Christchurch (we take the report, but we are of opinion that it should be Mr J. G. Smith, M.H R.) read the temperance report, and without making any reference to the sentence which deals with the General Election, we entirely agree with Mr Smith in his contention, which inferentially declares that more temperance reforms can be effected through the medium of Band of Hope organisations than can be accomplished by all the proposed legislation which Stout, Isitt and Co. can possibly devise, to say nothing of the impossibility of obtaining legislative effect for their Utopian theories. It is entirely the fault of the fanatical section of the Wesleyan Church that Mr Smith has to complain that “ too many of experienced members of the church held aloof from the work.” We venture to suggest that it is because of their experience that they hold aloof from a course of action which has a ten-

dency to destroy the cause they desire to foster and support. It appears that the question of prohibition by a bare majority was embodied in the report, as it will be seen that this was eliminated on the motion of the Rev. Morley, seconded by the Rev. F. W. Isitt. Surely this means a recognition of the trend of public opinion, and it appears to us that the reverend gentlemen named will have to reckon with such politicians as Sir Robert Stout, J. G. Smith, T. T. Taylor and others who will have bare majorities for prohibition, and nothing but bare majorities. There is an old proverb which says, “the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of Light.” This appears to be entirely reversed, for discerning the signs of the times Morley, Isitt and Co., who are ostensibly the children of Light, are wiser in their generation than Stout and Co., who are supposed to represent the offsprings of murky, agnostic darkness—according to orthodoxy as black as that Egyptian darkness which “ might be felt.” There are many other matters referred to in the report which we are unable to deal with in this issue ; but we hope in our next issue to deal with every phase of it, together with other questions which are closely associated therewith.