The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-05-27
Il CAUSED A BIG JPR(|AR
DISCUSSION OF THE PROPoSITtoV
TO ABOLISH VI. f. CHURCH
DISCIPLINE
Mr.. AFTER GROWS SARCASTIC
Introduces an Amendment to In.
cIude Everything imaginable
in Amusements to BE
Prohibited

CHICAGO. May 26.-By a close vote
and after debate which exceeded in biz
terness and feeling displayed ANYTHING
yet heard during the session the Metho-
olst general conference practically decided
today to make no change in the attftuda
OF the church in regard to card plavfna-
dancing, theater-going and other forms
OF amusement which since 1877 have been
under the ban of the church.
preceding the vote to accept the minor
1ty report, which recommends that no ac-
ton be taken,-the conference at times vas
IN a state of wild disorder, due mainly IN
attempts TO amend the section Of tha
book OF discipline under discussion. and
some exceedingly sharp language was in
dulsed in by the angry delegates before
the vote was taken
Rev. w. P Thirkield. fornerIv eere,.,I
secretary of the Epworth league. was de
clared elected as one of the representa-
uVes OF the Freedman's Aid and Southern
Education society.
Dr. Lew Gilbert, of New Haven. Conn.
edltor of the Daily Advocate. being pub-
nshed here during the sessions of tba
conference, was declared elected to the
edltorship Of the Western Christian Al
Nocate' and DR.. c. E. Spencer, formerly
editor o fthe Rocky Mountain Advocate
10 the editorship of the Central Christian
Advocate
n. X. Carroll. formerly editor of the
New York Independent, was elected as
slstant secretary of the Missionary So
ciety
Report No. 7. of the COMMITTEE on the
state OF the church. involving the stand
ing OF the Methodist church on dancing
caro- playing and other prohibited amuse-
ments, which was presented YESTERDAY
was then taken up. The galleries Of tie
auditorium were crowded with spectators
eager TO listen to the debate on the reso-
lutions, and the words Of the speakers
were followed with the closest interest.
DECLARED A DEAD LETTER.
DR.. B. p. Raymond of Boston. took tba
floor to speak the majority report.
The regulation itself is a dead letter
over large part Of our church" he said.
1t cultivates duplicity, and thus under
mines the fundamental principle of truth
in our church. Thus we compromise all
other issues"
DR.. Raymond also said, from the study
of pedagogy point could be made in IA
vor of taking the ban from the amuse-
ments
We strike point about the sixteenth
year of age where the will appears II
we would follow nature we cannot build
fence around man. for he rebels
DR.. e. j. Gray, OF Williamsport. Pa,
also spoke I'm favor Of the majority report
DIR. Buckley was then recognized.
The Jesuits, Lutherans and Church of
England never allow the people TO dance
or go TO the theater for forty days dur
ing Lent, but they do not have any laws
on the subject" he said. 1T is not said
to any man Thou shall not but tn.
moral force Of the body, together with
the religious exercises. cause their PEG
pie to abstain during Lent. / believe
Methodists can abstain all the year.
The putting of this list in the presence
of young people IS a foe 10 sound gen
uine conversion"
DR.. ]. w Bashford argued for the ma
jority report, saying it intended no diff
ference I'm method.
Amid a wild clamor for recognition
the previous question was ordered.
MP. ARTER's sARCAsMs.
Frank After, of New Jersey. then nut
the conference in an uproar BY starting
to read an amendment proposing TO in
sert in paragraph 24S, "OpeTa, grand Op-
era, prize fights, bull fights, cock fights,
checkers. backgammon, foot ball, base
ball, one old cat, two old cat"
Here his voice was drowned by fifty
delegates springing to their feet ana de-
handing recognition. with cries Of out
rage on the conference" I'VE won't lis
ten to a ridicule OF n rule of this
church." were heard on all sides
The chair ruled that Mr.. After wa in
order. and he proceeded, amid hand
clapping and stamping of feet.
The conference was again thrown into
turmoil by a demand that Bishop Nc
Cabe leave the floor. He has no right
on the floor Of this body, endeayoring
to influence persons in their voting,
said DR.. Buckley. holly.
Il was here on private business, re-
torted Bishop McCabe.
you were not. You told me TO with
draw my motion" shouted Mr.. After
Amid the confusion Mr.. AFTER then
withdrew his amendment. and the angry
delegates settled in their seats 10 hear
the closing argument in favor Of the
majority report, By Gov. Pattison.
A demand for an aye and no vote on
the question was carried.
The vote on the minority report WAS
extremely close for a time 1t was evil
dent before the close Of the roll call,
however, that the minority report would
carry. Unofficial counts made 1T about
800 in favor and 290 against the adoption.
The conference then adjourned for the
day without the official result