Hide Article Text (OCR)
*************** *************************** EDITORIAL COMMENTi*t**«*****«************ *************************The other week Bishop Potter of New York dedicated a saloon in that city with religious ceremonies. The Bishop’s action raised a storm of criticism and disapproval thruout the country. By far the best written article oo the subject was written by the California poet and special writer Alfred J. Waterhouse, and appeared in the S. F. Bulletin. It reads in part as follows: , '“If the devil and all of his little chuckling imps do not see to it that a vote of thanks is passed and is tendered to Bishop Henry C.,Potter for his services in dedicating that New York saloon, then I, for one, shall feel that Satan is without appreciation of a friendly act, and that there is no gratitude in the land of brimstone shoals and ceaseless pyrotechnic display. Opening a SALOON, to the drone of a Right Reverend's blessing and to the majestic rhythm and sweep of the grand old doxology!—Why, if Beelzebub did not breathe a sulphurous amen to the blessing, and if his horned and tailed attendants did not chortle a wheezy accompaniment to the doxology, then has hell ceased to recognize when it receives a princely benefit.“A saloon, under whatsoever conditions, as a thing of helpfulness to the world! A saloon, with a vicegerent of Christ as its sponsor! Great God of all the moralities! Now let us bedeck and begild Vice and worship her as Virtue, and let us not forget to apotheosize Iniquity.“I have not had the privilege of looking within the covers of Bishop Henry C, Potter’s Bible and seeing what manner of spiritual (note that I do not say spirituous) message it is with which that smug follower of God and Mammon edifies both himself and his flock. But it is not necessary, for it is easy enough to imagine how iis text must read. Here, for instance, must be some quotations from it:“‘Blessed is the good article in bottles or jugs,for the resultingjag shall not be unpleasant in the review.“‘Blessed are they that mourn for the pure stuff, for they shall be comforted at Budge Fudge’s New Jerusalem tavern.“‘Blessed are they that drink consecrated goods, for they shall inherit the earth—till they recover from the effect.“‘Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst—particularly the. latter—for the pure quill, tor they shall be filled as long as they have the price. *‘“Blessed is the merciful bartender, for he shall dispense the real thing.“‘Blessed are the sound of stomach, for they shall be able to hold the most.“‘Blessed are the booze-sellers, for they shall be called the children of the Bishop.'“Blessed are they which are persecuted by a great thirst, for they shall be filled at Budge Fudge’s New Jerusalem tavern.“‘Blessed are ye when men shall ask you in, and persuade you, and shall say, ‘What’ll you have in yours?’“ ‘Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for Budge Fudge are now open to all of the thirsty who have the price, for so winked they at the dry which were before you.’“Sacrilege? Not a bit of it, for if Bishop Potter’s Bible do not read as above, how do you suppose it does read? And, again, if my paraphrase be sacrilegious, it is sacrilege that shines with a pure, white light when compared with that emitted by such a deed as that of the right reverend gentleman.“PORE alcoholic goods, forsooth! And what of it? I could name you some hundreds of royal good fellows who once would drink nothing but the purest and best of liquors; who now would drink any foul broth of hell that is obtainable, and would pa wn their very souls for more. And you could name as many of similar kind for me.“Pure goods, forsooth! The arch fiend who has in charge the alcoholic destinies of humanity has invented no more specious lie for the delusion of men who desire to be deluded than this concerning pure alcoholic drinks. What matter if they are pure; shall we therefore close our eyes to any stern fact? And here is the sternest of them all: Alcoholic liquors.tho of the purest, are in themselves a* deadly and damning poison to a multitude of men; they course in fire thru their blood; they madden their brains; they pervert or destroy their moral sense. Give such men a start, tho on the consecrated ground of a Bishop-dedicated saloon, and a yawning hell awaits them, a hell that must be fed, but may not be quenched, with drink, aud drink, and more drink. You know that tbis is so; I know it; aye, even Bishop Potter, with the robe of his churchianity smoothly fitting itself Jo his portly, smug figure, knows it.”* *H
Newspaper Details
Ukiah Dispatch Democrat
Ukiah, California, US
Fri, Aug 26, 1904
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
San F.
CA, USA 14 Jul 2024
Other Publications Near Ukiah, California
Mendocino Herald
Ukiah Dispatch Democrat
Mendocino Dispatch Democrat
Ukiah News
Ukiah City Press
