, 1874-04-25
"Come now Jesus" ETC., being injected by the
otherB 1t appropriate intervals
This ended the services.

"Come now Jesus," ETC., being injected BY tn
otherB 1t appropriate intervals
This ended the services.
TEMPERANCE AND THE METHODIST
CHURCH BLOCK.
It has been thought strange By many people
especially those interested in the Temperance
| movement, that the Trustees Of the Methods
Church Block should charge the ladies' rent for th'
| audience-room. The work is certainly raligions
and as the hall is supposed to be set asld'
| for worship, it cannot be imaginee
| yhy a pr1ce should DO demanded fo
Strengthening the toppling plants in the Lord!
vineyard. Several Of the ladies having foune
fault NTH the Trustees on account OF their - nj S
eurdlipeas," aud asserted that their operations
| we're dampaned by being obliged to meet IN tht
| lecture-room, which !" is entirely too small. q
| reporter called on Dr.. Thomas yesterday te
! learn why tho Trustees demanded 1ucra LOT the
audieuca-room.
WIT Is IT so?
Reporter-Why cannot the temperance women
| ugo the main hall OF the Mttl0d1sL C1utcn BLOCK
without paying rent: ,
DR., Thomas-Well, tho Trustees did not
charge them anything the first week.
Reportor-That il true, but why do not they
let them have it now when they want to hold
| mass-meetings?
Dr.. Thomas-Wh bile this 10 wealthy block,
only small percentage OF the income goes to
my church,-the First Methodist,-not nearly
enough to meet tho current expenses, and the
local society which meets there has to pay for
lighting and heating, and janitor services, when
extra meetings are held in tho church. The min
listers generously let the women have the room
during the first week, and they feel that they
have done their share Of gEatuitous work. They
were willing to bear their share OF the expenses
for that time, and think now the public ought to
carry iron that they not called upon to fur
nish the room any more without pay
Reportar-Iou mean tile main audience
room
DR.. Thomas-Yes. They are ueing the Lectures
room at present, and have been for three weeks,
without cent OF expense.
Keporter-Who pays The bills for heating that7
DR.. Thomas-TAe local society.
ACQUISITION OF SIZE.
Reporter-Spme of the ladies say that It is not
large enough.
Dr.. Thomas-It seems to be. There have not
been, on the average. moro than twenty-five or
thirty people at their prayer-meetinGs. and that
Reporter-They also SAY that the fact Of thair
having such small room keeps people ATay.
POOH REASON.
DR.. Thomas-I do not see the force Of that.
At their mass-meeting the other night In the
main hall there were ouly about 200 IN attend
ance. I opened that large room to them the
first week without conferring with the officers Of
the church. They, however, sanctioned my
actiou and T think it WAS right; but beyond the
first week we felt that we had done enough.
Ne offered them the lecture-room free, and they
took it.
Reporter-Haye tho Trustees absolute control
OF tho block?
Dr.. Thomas-Ycs. but tbs renting Of the
room is in the hands Of Judge Goodrich, Mr.
Botsford, aud Mr.. Waughop.
Reportcr-What have they offered to lot the
women have it for2
DR.. Thomas-S20.
Keporter--Is that less than the usual rate ?
Dr. Thomas-Yes, IS. It is only for religious
PURPOSES or matters cognate thereto, thar the
hall is rentod, and no more ia charged than will
cover the expenses. That room cannot be lighted
aud heated on E winter night for less than S25.
Reporter-HaTe the aIics asked Tor the large
room and been refused:
DR.. Thomas-No; anl they have never been
refused. ! have offered them the room for Sun
day evening meetings. That is my service
night, and We would be at no additional expense
On account Of warming it.
Reporte1-Would they not take It.?
DR.. Thomas-Th have not taken it.
Reporter-ls there any prospect OF their ae-
cepting the proposliion3
THE TRUsTEgs IN SYMPATHY
Dr.. Thomas-I do MT know. Tho Trustees
have aimed to do the right thing, and do not
think they are to blame. They are in sympathy
With any good the women may do, and are
willing to do their part toward aiding taom.
Rcporter-Share the e1penee?
DIR. Thomas-Their part, OF course: That is
shown by their action during the h1st week OF
the temperance movement.
TEE nEREsT BUSINESS.
Roporter-I wish to change the subject, Doc
tor. soe by extracts Of letter which Was pub
lished in the Inferior that minister who signs
himself .'A Member OF the Rock River Con-
ference" charges you with "oscillating between
conferences" with the schip Of heresy" Oh your
shoulder. ls thastrue? :
Dr.. Thomas-No. Joined the Iowa Confer"
once in 1856, aud remained there until came
here, fve years ago, at the request Of the Park
Avenue Church, and preached for thera three
years, and then took charge of the First Church.
Reportcr-Do you propose answering the allie
cations in part?
Dr.. Thomns-I cannot tell yet II find out
the name OF the author, and he ID anybody,
ahall reply; otherwise not.
Reporter-Have you anything more to say On
the subject?
Dr. Thomas-No. consider what have told
you q sufficient refutation, and the public can
form their opinion Of the truthfulness OF the al
legation frolu it. Ihave never been accused Of
hereay thst I know Of, though have always been
regarded as liberal in my views.