New-York tribune., 1900-05-13
METHODISTS AND ADJUSTMENTS.
THE PRESENT LAW CALLED A DEAD LETTER
PRIVATE JUDGMENT IN THE MAT
TER DEFENDED.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: The General Conference now holding its
quadrennial session in Chicago. will have for its
considera ton many matters of Importance affect
ing the ecclesiastical and religious welfare of we'll
10 three millions of people in this country and
in the mission fields But we venture TO assert that
no action OF the Conference will receive so much
attention on the part of the general public its
treatment Of the question of amusements.
As is well known Methodists have always
garded amusements from the Puritan standpoint
The General Rules of the Church. which were
drawn up by John Wesley professedly based
upon the teachings of the Bible. which is the only
rule and sufficient rule. both of faith and
practice Among the General Rules members of
the Church are expected to avoid taking such
diversions cannot be used in the of the
Lord Jesus"
Such the prevailing temper of Methodsts
hundred years ago, however, that though no
word of prohibition specifically uttered against
popular amusements a Methodist who played cards
could be found just about as readily as a Quaker
dressed in the height of prevailing fashions. But
time brings changes The Wesleyan revival. as
every historian Of the eighteenth century has
pointed cat, not only resulted in the building up
OF new ecclesiastical organizations, but in the
publication Of the social atmosphere of the Eng
lish speaking race The leaven OF that great
ligious movement worked everywhere. Its infu-
ence became manifest in most unexpected
ways Cards ceased in large measure to be gam
bling tools; society lost much its grossness, and
consequence the objections popular amuse-
ments showed signs of modification. Among mi
nority Of Methodists a sentiment grew up which,
though imbued with the old Puritanism, neverthe-
less recognized that the time had come for a dis
eliminating rather than unrelieved antagonism.
Methodists who still held by the General Rule gave
1t free Interpretation. and exercised what they
believed TO be the right Of private judgment.
The General Conference of 1872. however, looked
with GisapproVal on the newer views and
tempted to make the General Rule more specific
by inserting legislation in the Book OF Dis
ton church members against dancing, playing at
games OF chance. attending theatres horse races,
circuses. dancing parties, or patronizng dancing
schools, or taking such other amusements are
obviously of misleading and questionable moral
tendency" In case members persisted in indulg-
ing IN these amusements they were to be brought
TO trial and expelled.
The Law has been dead letter from IT'S enact
ment Pastors could not or would not enforce ii.
have been brought up in Methodist homes from
joining the Church. DR. Buckley, Editor of The
Christian Advocate" has stated publicly that such
legislation has tended to promote rather than
press the practices against which It aimed.
The question before the General Conference at
present is really not much the attitude OF the
tude toward the individual conscience. Whatever
action the Conference takes. the public opinion OF
tho Church will still be permeated by the Puritan
spirit. But a strong minority. including the New
York and New-York East Conferences. and many
OF the ablest OF the Church in all parts OF tho
country are urging the repeal Of the list OF amuse
which shall call attention to the General Rule
and make the question of amusements a matter
Of conscience rather than OF ecclesiastical law.
1t Will be interesting TO see whether the General
Conference will defend this expurgatoral list, or
whether the largest Protestant body in America
will in the matter Of amusements frankly ac-
knowledge the oldtine Protestant doctrine of the
right of private judgment. Is.
Ridgefed. Conn, May !, 1900.