Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-03
DR.. F. Z. BRUSH is INTERVIEWED
Repeal of Amusement Clause Will But
Put the Matter Where 1t Origin
ally Was-Lay Represents
ton = Time Limit.
From Wednesdays Daily.

dancing, attendance at theatres, horse
races, circuses and playing at games
of chance, are much mistaken. In
facs the repeal of this clause will but
throw the matter back to where it eX-
listed prior to 1872, when the clause
was introduced, and added as an
amendment to the church law govern
ing the trial of persons accused of con-
duct unbecoming a church member.
The time is near at hand when this
matter aud others, among them being
the renewal of the time limit and equal
lay representation, will receive atten-
sion at the hands of the general con-
ference of the Methodist church. This
body, representing the largest body in
Protestant Christianity, meets quad
riennially in months session for the
revision of the discipline ard the laws
of the church and the election of a
large number OF administrative officers.
That which is likely to characterize
the conference at Chicago, from it's
predecessors is the fact THAI, in all
probability. lay members will be ae-
corded equal representation with their
clerical brethren and as an evidence of
the faith of the laymen have in this
demand being granted. have elected
provisional delegates. who will take
their seats as soon as the matter is
reached and afiirmatively decided.
The time limit will receive attention.
By this is meant, as every Methodist
knows, that the laws OF the church
prohibit a preacher holding one charge
for more than five successive years.
Conditions have changed since the pas
sage of this rule, and it is thought that
its abrogations will work to the. well
being of the church in many cases.si Il
The ministerial delegation from the
Stafford, d. D., Presiding Elder j. C..
Elder. W. Il. Wilson. The lay delegates
are Chris Haw, of this city, sllillnn
Payne, of Bloomfield; the provisional,
c. w. Wilson, of Washington, and John
Mohler, of Montezuma; the reserve,
who will be seated should the confer
ence pass the equal representation rule,
are j. w. McMullen, of Osllaloosa, and
Judge E. S. Huston, of Burlington.
DR.. +. Z. Brush, pastor OF the First
Methodist church, of this city, was
seen today in regard to the three ques-
tions as outlined. DR.. Brush thinks
that the demand for the removal of the
time limit in which minister might
hold charge comes mostly from the
larger cities. The annual appoint
ments in all probability, would be
made the same as at the present time
with no limit to their number. Thus a
minister and flock who were working
tremendously would be enabled stosconss
tinue the good work without the inter.
ference of the iron clad rule which
now exists.
AS to the lay representation, all con-
ferences in anticipation of the equal
representation rule have elected re-
serve delegates, so sure are they that
they will be seated. There is no good
reason, apparently why the laympen
should not be represented equally as
well as the clergy and the proba bility
of the passage of a rule permitting it
is good. This is something that the
laity have long asked and now that
they think they are about to obtain it,
have elected delegates in anticipation.
DR.. Brush thinks this little prema-
ture, perhaps, but sees no objection TO
the enactment of the rule.
The question that has caused more
space writing in newspapers than any
other one thing connected with the
conference is the question of repeating
that rule which says that no Methodist
shall attend theatres, indulge in, dane
ing, attend horse races or play games
of chance. 1t has been said that the
repeal of this rule will open up to the
Methodist all these avenues of so-called
pleasures, where as matter of fact it
will do no such thing. To understand
the question thoroly it should be
known that John Wesley laid down the
rule that Methodists should avoid tax
ing such advertisements as cannot be
used in the name of the Lord Jesus"
In 1872 these prohibited advertisements
We're specified as "horse racing, dane
ing, theatres, circuses or playing at
games of chance The repeal of this
clause containing the specific prohibit
ed so-called amusements would but
throw the matter back where it was
originally and leave it with the indi-
vidual church or the individual him
self. DR.. Brush says that one church
might think one form of these amuse-
ments not deleterious and another
might think it was, so it could be act
ed upon i'll the light it was seen. The
more one INDUCES in those things the
more likely he is to take less interest
in the church and in living Cody
life. This is 1ruism; one is the anti
podes of the other.
AT the last general conference the
sentiment of the laity and especially
the Epworth league, was strongly ex-
pressed as opposed to any change, and
their view of it is now understood TO
be unchanged. SO, while these are
expressions for and against the meas
ure, yet it leaves it practically TO the
conscience of the individual church
and member and it's passage would sat
isfy the demands of the pastors of
the larger churches who say that it
would put them on the same footing
with other denominations and allow
them to gather into the fold the young
men and women who desire to lead a
religious life and belong TO the Meth
odist church, yet cannot see their way
clear to give UP the specified prohibit