A Noble Stand | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 4, 1883

A Noble Stand.

MR. C. C. STUDEBAKER, of South Bend, Ind., was nominated for presiding officer by the Carriage Builders' National Association, lately convened in Philadelphia, but after thanking the members for confidence in him, declined the honor. He afterwards stated that the reason for his refusal was that he could not in good conscience preside at a table where wines were served, and it was the custom of the Association to serve wine to the guests at the annual banquet. Subsequently the convention resolved "that this association shall hereafter decline all invitations extended to it as a body, by the local trade of any city chosen for the place of meeting." Concerning this resolution, Mr. Studebaker said:—

"I heartily coincide with the resolution which has been offered by Mr. Britton, of New York, because these entertainments, and the accessories to them, have been leading this association into bad habits. In many cities and towns they would be glad to entertain this association if it was not for this extra entertainment. There is always something connected with this entertainment that is quite expensive. The eating may not be very expensive, but the matter of drinking is. I am very much opposed to that part of them, anyhow, and there are many men connected with this association who are also opposed to it. But they get into it, and if their place is fixed upon to hold the convention, it compels them to contribute to a thing they utterly abhor. It is laying a temptation before our fellow-men. I for one cannot do it, and I will not do it. I cannot go into anything that lays a temptation before my brother. I am not willing to do it, and I will not do it. Therefore I am in favor of the resolution."