Religion: Episcopalians

  • Share
  • Read Later

(2 of 2)

Liquor. During the deliberations of the House of Bishops, newspapers were full of headlines asserting that the Protestant Episcopal clergy is Wet, 3 to 1. Examination of this news revealed it was simple reiteration of the fact that three of every four members of the Church Temperance Society had last year voted against the 18th Amendment on a questionnaire. The Society is an unofficial adjunct of the Episcopal Church. It helped enact Prohibition, later repented, but stands for law enforcement on principle. All that last week's headlines proved was the fanaticism of the Rev. Dr. James Empringham, the Society's national superintendent. "I am a total abstainer and a fanatical Dry myself," said Dr. Empringham. "I am for law enforcement even to the extent of crushing the people into obedience by the Army and Navy, because I believe that the greater the coercion employed, the sooner the demoralizing effect of this unscriptural, sin-provoking despotism will come to an end. . . . After Prohibition has come to an end, I do not want the reformers of future ages to revive an exploded theory. . . ."

After Dr. Empringham has completed his poll of all Episcopal clergy, said critics Wet and Dry, will be time enough for him to be causing sensational headlines.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. Next Page