Papa Bailey Refuses to Bless Liquor
REV. G. A. BAILEY of Los Angeles related his experience, as Methodist preachers sometimes do—Paul did so in his day. In Los Angeles the people to whom "Papa Bailey" ministered were all in the habit of drinking moderately. They did not think it wrong. He labored faithfully to change their habits. On a certain occasion he was invited to be present at a birthday party. A young man had reached his majority. A splendid dinner was prepared. All the friends were present. The guests were taken to the table and "Papa Bailey" was requested to ask a blessing. Casting his eye over the dishes he saw several bottles of whisky and wine. He turned to his hostess and said: "I cannot ask God's blessing on the food till all liquor is taken away." The madam apologized, but did not take away the bottles. Again he was requested to "say grace." His answer was, "I cannot do it!" And turning to his daughter he said, "Come, Eliza—let us go home. This is no place for us!" And so he left them to engage in their revelry. Of course he gave offense and made the work hard for himself. But he was true, and God's blessing will rest on such testimony in favor of sobriety.