The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-21

In Cleveland, Ohio, have an especial in
terest for good folk generally. The first
related 10 church discipline as applied TO
amusements. Our Methodist brethren
are notable among the denominations
that have a large and cosmopolitan MEM
bership In the strictness of their views as
applied to amusements. Wo know of no
people of .any faith who appear to get
more real solid comfort and enjoyment
out OF their life and their religion than
do those OF our fellow citizens who are
Methodists. And this not alone because
OF the spirit OF resignation that 1t seems
to us is cultivated in the consistent
Methodist rather more strongly, rather
more as controlling influence, than IS
apparent from most any other denomina-
tional association and SO, negatively, may
be said to induce peace and content
where positive gleefulness may be out
of the question. But while the Methodist
friends with whom we can claim ac-
quaintance, and so some little knowledge
OF their dispositions, seem usually thus
happily skirted about with an armor that
Is invulnerable to a gloom and wretched-
ness of spirit, we have noted, too, that
their active joys are not hilarious, and
are ever expressed with decorousness.
And while from too limited acquaint-
ance we may be in error in drawing gem
eral conclusions, that moderation is a
characteristic OF the Methodist generally,
in both his good times and his bad times,
is our impression.
Something OF this presumption seems
to be borne out in the development of
the disciplinary ideas of Methodism as APP
piled to what are commonly known as
amusements. What human amusement
ia or is not, depends upon disposition,
training and environment and Metho-
dism deals specifically with the subject,
such schemes of pleasure-securing as
drinking intoxicating liquors, dancing
and attending theaters being prescribed
with common vigor. A great many good
folk to whom the evil OF drinking intoxi-
eating liquor is SO plain as to taxe it out
of all possible consideration as an amuse-'
ment, "see no harm' in dancing, or
going to the theater, and we guess good
many Methodists feel that there is an
argument for discriminating between
such sources OF amusement, even between
horse races and q circus and other ordi-
nary popular smusements which are
grouped in the specifications of the Disci-
pine.
But although there was lively discus
sion aroused yesterday over the PROPOSE
tion from the committee on the state Of
the church, that that part OF the Disci-
pIine relating TO specific amusements be
not altered, amended or changed, when
it came to vote the conference almost
unanimously stood by the specificat ions,
violation Of which is punishable by ex-
pulsion from the church unless the
offender exhibit real humiliation.
The other quite generally Interesting
feature of the days proceedings was the
remarks of the venerable and esteemed
Bishop Foster on his forced retirement
from service, which it will be remem bered
was done without, to say the least, an
exaggerated amount of sentiment or cere-
mony. Indeed, within as well as with
out tue church, good deal
OF protest was aroused, not by the re-
tirement, but because OF the short shrift
that was permitted the beloved bishop.
But we pointed out the other day that as
trained Methodist, the bisLop himself
would probably recognize that the spirit
was only suppressed because OF the strict
ly business-like nature of the act and
that he would probably not complain.
Yesterday BishYp FOSTER without max
ing any fuss going out of his way.
but strictly UNI Cer the rules and at the
proper time an2 lin his proper place in
the hall, took occasion to refer to the
subject. lie said that he had received a
large number Of letters denouncing the
action OF the conference in retiring him
as "cruel, brutal and an outrage"
"1hese letters" snid the bishop, "como
from the best Methodists in the country.
want to say that these good people are
misinformed. There comes timo in all
mems lives hen they must ro.ire, and
tho conferences simply recognized this
fact. They aid right, and respect them