The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-06

A long and animated discussion fol-
lowed those remarks. DR.. Giffin be-
lieved that a little common sense was
the necessary equipment for a pastor.
When the convert gets religion enough
he usually doesn't care for worldly
amusements. He was not in favor of
excluding applicants for church mem
bership or expelling members on these
terms. What we ministers need" he
said, "is a little more love and not so
much law"
Rev. L. c. Murdoch asserted that
when a person becomes a real Metho-
| dist he gets so far beyond the fence
| that he doesn't realize it is there.
DR.. Austin Griffin, who had served
on the committee dealing with this
question, made a deep impression when
| he told of the letters which had been
received on the subject. One resident
of this district had written to the gem
eral conference imploring that it should
not retreat one degree, for he said:
''It was the dance which has turned
the steps of my two daughters toward
hell" A Presbyterian clergyman wrote
| in a similar strain, declaring that the
| Methodist stand against sinful amuse-
ments is the only bulwark of Protest
| antism.
| A discussion regarding the adjust
ment of difficulties concerning the
| financial condition of the Northern
Christian Advocate occupied the re-
mainder of the session. The president
appointed the following members Of
! the committee to arrange for the Octo-
! Der convention: w. II. Pearce, c.
| NJ. Gifiin, l.. c. Murdock, J. Il. Sweet.
The meeting adjourned with the bene-
! diction by Rev. II. II. Wilbur.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was presided
over by Rev. DR.. w. II. Pearce. Rev.
]. ~ Bailey conducted the devotional
exercises. Rev. DR.. Sprague spoke on
! the educational work of Methodism in
! the district. He urged the endowment
| Of the Wyoming seminary. Alread,
| $4,000 has been raised.
Rev. DR.. Samuel Moore, financial
agent of the seminary, gave an account
of the methods to be employed, and
spoke of the interest already awakened
in Elm Park church and elsewhere in
the object. The twentieth century
movement was urged upon the hear
ers.
Rev. w. L. Thorpe read a fine paper
on What Should Be the Attitude or
the Pulpit Toward the Relation Be-
tween Labor and Capital?" The feel
ing was emphasized that there should
be great care in maintaining the spir-
ituality and dignity of the pulpit, that
its utterances may be needed, as the
j oracle of God.
Rev. r. NJ. Pascoe conducted the dis
cussion which followed. Rev. c. II.
Reynolds desired the paper to be sent
to Lppincotts for publication. DR..
Pearce spoke earnestly regarding the
outlook He declared that in Chicago
workingmen are turning back to the
| church for comfort.
Rev. Herbert l.. Ellsworth gave an
excellent paper on THE Use of Public
Means of Conveyance on the Sabbath
by Ministers of the Gospel and Mem
bers Of the Church" He began by a
recital of the Rabbinical rules as once
applied in orthodox Jewish families
The sabbath, with every other means
| of grace, contributes to mans highest
Spiritual welfare Christ's first clash
with the Rabbinical law was regard
ing Sabbath observance. Man is greater
than the temple. The law prohibits
the works Of the servants and animals
The pulpit should speak on the evils
of pleasure riding.
USE MEANS AT HAND.
DIR. Gifiin opened the discussion He
agreed with the paper. He believed
the highest results should be obtain
ed by using the means at hand He
referred to the prevalent custom ir
cities of passing nearby churches tC
go to those farther on. One should
go to church where to him the voice
of God is heard. If in thus going the
necessity for riding arises it should
be employed. There are people who
are suffering under a morbid degree
of conscience. They are not Chris,
tians, but are living according to Jew
ish traditions. He then said: "If ]
were preaching for DR.. Sprague or
Sunday and it was necessary to gel
home that day, shouldn't walk if the
cars went"
Will L. Hitler spoke with emphasis
on the negative side. He declared
that the audience might call him q
fogy, a back, ETC., but he was
distinctly opposed to Christians usine
Sabbath breaking conveyances. These
methods are more harm than all the
! theater-going, dancing and card-play.
ing.
Rev. j. ". Bailey spoke strongly In
favor of a strict observance of the
Sabbath in the line indicated, after
which Presiding Elder Griffin gave ar
excellent address on the subject, in
Continued on Page 81