Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 132, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1914 — BY PRESBYTERIANS [ARTICLE]

BY PRESBYTERIANS

Churchmen at Annual Synod Condemn Use of Weed and SubmH I Edict of Vital Consequence. •

Bloomington, Ind, June 4.—Tobacco and its uses was the cause of a warm debate at today’s session of the annual synod of the Reformed Presbyterian church of the United States and Canada.

The Church now refuses to license a minister, elder or deacon, or to appoint a Sunday School superintendent or teacher Who uses tobacco in any way and it is proposed to bring the members up to the same'standard.

'At the request of last year’s synod, the temperance committee today submitted an overture on the subject, which, if adopted, will be sent to the Presbyteries for ratification. The overture follows: "The use of tobacco is an acquired, undesirable and sinful habit and it? effect is hurtful to the body and mind. Clinch members should not set this example before the youth. We testify against the production, sales or use of tobacco as being incompatible with the highest forms of Christian conduct.”

Dr. W. J. Coleman, of Pittsburg, Pa., dedared that he favored the overture against the use of tobacco by church members, but that old, members already using it Should not be put out of the church. The overture finally wias tabled, but will be brought up later.