New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-15
FOR BILLIARDS IN RELIGIOUS WORK.
POOL AND OTHER GAMES SUGGESTED AT MEET
ING OF METHODIST MINISTERS TO
HELP THE CHURCH.

HELP THE CHURCH.
About 300 Methodists were present yesterday morn
ing at the regular monthly meeting, held IN the
Methodist Book Concern. No. $50 Ffthave. for pur-
poses of discussion majority of those present were
ministers from New-York and its Vicinity Inc Kew
DIR. J. I. Bates presided. The feature OF the meeting
was the novel proposition advanced by Henry W.
knight publisher connected with the Methodist Book
Concern and prominent In Brooklyn church circles
The proposal embodied in a paper dealing Win
Church work and the condition Of churches IN the
lower part of this city when contrasted with THOSE In
the upper part. After Mr.. Knight had finished the
reading Of his article there general discussion OF
the question for forty minutes. The Rev. David
Downey, of Mamaroneck and the Rev. Candall J.
North supported the views advanced by Mr.. knight
while the Rev. J. NJ. Reed and the Rev. DR.. j. A.
Roche were vigorously opposed to any such movement
Mr.. Knights speech was in part as follows:
First, want to say that have two beliefs
believe In the religion Of Lord Jesus Christ and
believe in the religion Of humanity was born In tho
lap of poverty, and am plebeian by birth. There
FORE my sympathes go out to the poor aud wretched
and the outcasts, wherever they may be found now
brethren, want to say that owe allegiance 9rst 70
God, and second to my family, and third 10 the
Methodist Church, which believe was ordained 10
work among the poor and downtrodden, and stand
here this morning to arragn the Methodist Episcopal
Church at the bar of Almighty God, and to say that
the adherents OF MethOdsm are neglecung
their dutles especially In the large cities.
and vet more particularly in the downtown sec
tons of the great cities. A few weeks ago. when 1
spoke at the Bushwick Avenue Brooklyn) Methodist
meeting stated that the uptown churches needed no
assistance but that help should como to the down.
town churches.
al would erect building, not necessarily church.
more perhaps the nature Of hall, and in 1t there
should be place for an orchestra and choir and the
capacity OF this orchestra should not be less than 3oo
persons The audience room should contain at least
500 sittngs. This building should be erected that
the people could from the street directly to the
audience room. In connection with this building
would have bowling alleys, billiard tables pool tables,
a gymnasium, swimming baths schools for sewing and
cooking, and clubs for boys, men, women and girls
The whole should be attractive possible and come
In direct competition with the saloons. maintain that
game of pool or billiards does not necessarily imply
also the invitation: Let us take drink" Now, as
a member Of the Brooklyn Union League Club know
that many laymen and ministers Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church are also members and that by their
membership they tacitly admit that there is harm In
the games of pool and billiards played there. The
o. s. Grant Post G.. A. r., is sometimes called the
John Wesley Post on account OF the large Methodist
membership and you game OF pool there any
Bishop Fitzgerald, in last weeks Christian Advo-
cate stated that the only institution stronger than the
saloons Is the Church. take issue with him on this
and maintain that the saloon is stronger than the
Church. In New YORK below Fourteenthst. there are
and 100 churches the former are open as
long as they possibly remain open and the latter
not until they Obliged to OPEN In such district
would open this building and appoint TO oversee IT
the best talent MethOdism can AFFORD; not for nve
years but for twenty, as long as good could be
accompIished.n