The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-06-11
METH0DiSTS OBJECT
TO JEFFERSON BIBLE
Preachers See No Necessity for Publi-
catioa-0nly Three Members of
Committee Declare in Its Favor.

! BALTIMORE. June 10.-The commit
tee appointed by the Preachers Meeting
of the Methodist Episcopal Church to
consider the publication OF Thomas lief
| ferscn's Morals OF Jesus of Nazareth,
by the United States Government re-
phrted yesterday at the regular weekly
! meeting at Wesley Hall.
The committee. OF which Rev. Frank
G. Porter Is chairman. placed itself on
record as being opposed to the pubIIca-
ton of the work. as provided for b. an
act of Congress. The principal object
ions were that the work Is of religious
character and that Congress should
order nothing published at the expense
of the Government which partakes CT a
controversial religious character: that
the publication by Congress is unneces-
sary. as 1t Is thought the work will be
published by private printing houses.
and that the introduction, to be written
by DR.. Cyrus adler. is not to be sub
mittod 10 Congress.
The consideration OF the report of the
committee took Up the whole meeting
Rev. DR.. C. Herbert Richardson was the
only speaker in favor OF the publication.
lie thought it fitting that the act CT .
Congress providing for 5000 copies
should be carried out
In submitting the report OF the com
mittee Rev. Mr.. Porter read letter
from Representative John F. Lacey.
which was in Fart as follows:
II found this book q year or two ago
in the Museum Library and called atten-
ticn to it in brief article which was
published at the time. Following this
a great many inquiries and requests were
made for its publication. as the effect
of Congress purchasing the manuscript
and locking IL uD was practically sup
preston of tine book. Mr.. Jefferson has
been criticised for this book by people
who have given it no examination and
do not understand its scope. In justice
to him it ought to be published. and the
cause CT Christianity would undoubtedly
be aided by its publication.
Taking this view Of it. at the request
of great many people-m5Ey Of whom
were Minister'S introduced a resolu-
ton for its publication 1t has passed
both houses. Immediate attention was
directed to this book by reason or this
resolution. and three different firms
have arranged to publish it. This be-
ing the case. there is no longer any ne
ressity for Congress to unlock 1t by
1t as Congressional docu-
nent.
II regret that some clerryr,en have
risa oprehended the scope CT this work.
It is simply an analysis of the moral
.eacfir-s OF our Saviour. literally AMI
.extuaI'~ extracted from the four gcs-
,els without a word Of comment on the
% ri Ct NJ jefferson. 1t is the arrange
nent. selected as these teachings have
been from the four gosDels. that censtt-
ute the real work CT Mr.. Jefferson.
These ministers who have. without
moving the contents or ARRANGEMENT OF
he book. criticised Its scope and pur-
,cse Will te surprised and delighted
vhen thrv actually come to examine 1t.
ir. Jefferson prepared this book with
nc foot in the crave. when he WIS APP
reaching the great beyond and has
cna the work in the most reverent
ririt"
The report was adopted with but three
CITES against it.