The Indianapolis journal., 1885-02-15
THE CHURCH AND THE RINK.
Signs Indicating a Methodist Warfare
Against Roller Skating Kinks.
Combination of Importers for the Purpose of
Exposing Corruption in the New York
Custom -House-Fall of the Academy.
BOILER SKATES AND RELIGION.

Indications that the Methodists Will Declare
Against the Kinks
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
New YORK, Feb 1.-The somewhat agitating
question at the Methodist Book Concern, which
is the headquarters of the Methodist bishops of
the United States. is whether or not to officially
condemn roller-skating in rinks. Every mail
brings letters from pastors who ask for advice
as to what attitude they ought to assume to-
wards the all-absorbing sport. Many of them
say that their efforts to start revivals this win
ter have been completely frustrated by the
skating craze, which draws the young people
away from the services in church to the pastime
in the rink. Reports from the professional re-
vivalsts are to the same rurport They are un-
able to command the success Of former years in
consequence of the distraction Harrison
the boy Preacher" implores the bish
ops to issue manifesto on the point
as to whether this sort Of skating is
not essentially the same in character as the
dancing which Methodism positively prohibits in
public assemblages The Widow VanCott is en-
phatic in denouncing the amusement as wicked
and the tendency of most of the correspondence
is of that tenor. But pastors generally hesitate,
without the authority of the bishops, to take a
stand in the matter. Thus far the bishops have
confined their replies to private and unofficial
advice The Rev. DR.. Curry about as expert
Methodist as there is on points Of discipline,
said in answer to an inquiry of your correspond
ent "Roller-skating in public rinks is not whit
different, in its moral aspects. from dancing in
ball rooms. The Discipline of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church is construed to
place dancing in mixed assemblages under the
ban which it explicitly pronounces against un-
godly and demoralizing amusements l don't
intend to give you the views of the bishops on
this suddenly important questionable gentle
men are scattered throughout the country on
duty, and there will be no meeting before the
end of the skating season, unless one be called
for the express purpose Of dealing with this
topic-but have. individually no doubt what
their decision will be-"
In the meantime. Rev. DR.. Buckley editor of
the official organ of the Methodsts, feels so GER
tain of the pernicious quality of rinks that he
will, in next weeks issue of that journal advise
pastors to preach plainly against them. and for
bid their members to indulge publicly in the
sport. The policy will be to inveigh against the
sport as physically injurious too The opinions
of eminent physicians. so far al. They agree with
this iGea, are to be at secured and pub
lished 1t can be set down as a positive fact,
therefore, that Methodism is going to wage war
fare on the rinks.
Inquiry among the leading manufacturers of
roller skates, 80 far as they are represented by
agencies for the wholesale trade in this city,
elicits the news that the religious opposition will
be combattedt to some extent. Some of these firms
are owners of patents, and the rivalry between
them is rather bitter; but they have so far COM
bined as to order for distribution great quantities
of tract which is being prepared in their inter
est. The opinions of a number of medical,
gymnastic and theological experts will be given,
to prove that unless INDUCED in to excess, roller
skating is in every way beneficial These tracts
will be sent free to ali the rinks in the land for
distribution,