Be it resolved by the Southern Baptist Convention in annual session assembled in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, June 12-16, 1940:
1. We cannot without deep concern look upon the vast number of human lives sacrificed and the still larger number maimed by accident in our country. It seems as incredible as it is shocking that a great people in the ordinary pursuits of peace should sacrifice nearly 100,000 lives each year by accidental death, and at the same time bring non-fatal injuries to nearly nine million.
2. All available facts indicate that a large percentage both of the fatal and non-fatal accidents come as the result of the use of alcoholic beverages, both on the part of the automobile drivers and on the part of the pedestrians. We cannot too severely condemn a situation that makes it possible for men to operate motor cars or to walk the streets and highways when under the influence of intoxicating beverages in however slight degree.
3. We the members of the Convention pledge ourselves to care and discretion in the operation of motor vehicles and in all other matters to the end that we may assist in reducing the enormous toll of human life taken by accident.
RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC
Be it resolved by the Southern Baptist Convention in annual session assembled in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, June 12-16, 1940:
1. We look with grave concern upon the widespread use of alcoholic drinks among the masses of our people, especially the young people and the girls and women. No nation can rise above its motherhood. If we raise a generation of drinking and drunken mothers we may expect a sodden civilization.
2. We urge upon all Pastors, Editors, College Presidents and Teachers, upon the officers and teachers of our churches and upon the churches themselves, their solemn obligation for taking and maintaining a consistent stand against the use of intoxicating beverages by the individual and against the policy of legalization by the State.
3. We affirm our unchanged and unchangeable opposition to the beverage use of alcoholic drinks in all forms and to the policy of government which legalizes and thus promotes the manufacture, distribution, sale and consumption of such beverages. Total abstinence by the individual and legal suppression by the government are the only safe, sane and justifiable courses to be pursued in regard to a habit-forming and destructive poison.
4. That while we do not recede in the least degree from our belief in legal suppression by the government, we pledge special emphasis upon the scientific and educational approach to the solution of the liquor problem. If our young people and all others can be taught and can become deeply convinced of the destructive nature of alcohol and can be brought to total abstinence, the liquor problem will be solved.