The Washington times., 1903-12-28
MAY CHANGE PENALTIES
FOR CRIME OF DANCING
Methodist Episcopal Confer
ence to Take Action
RULE AN ANCIENT ONE
Bylaw Prohibiting Gayeties Drawn
Up by Wesley Himself-Strong
Only in Parts.

With the approach of the General Con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. which will be held in Los An
geles, Cal, next May, interest is grow
ing In the question Of the advisa biIity of
changing the rule relating to imprudent
and un-Christian conduct as 1t now
stands in the Methodist Book of Disci-
pline. This rule emphatically condemns
dancing. playing at cards and other
games OF chance, patronizing theaters,
horse racing and dancing schools, and
goes so far as to authorize the expulsion
OF Offenders in extreme cases.
The matter has already been agitated
by New York clergymen, and Methodists
. in this city regard the question as GER
tain to come UP for discussion at the
meetings OF the local Methodist minis
tiers in the near future
Minister'S Views.
There is a good deal of sentiment
among the members OF the conference
on the subject, and this sentiment is al
most unanimously opposed to any
change. Card-playing. dancing. and
theatergoing have been opposed by the
local clergy. and in their attitude on
the liquor question, which the rule also
condemns, the Baltimore preachers have
just passed a resolution looking to more
active support for the Anti-Saloon
League of the State.
An active Washington preacher said
today in regard to the point at issue:
An attempt was made at the last
conference to change the rule, but 1t
was defeated by very large majority.
Personally, 1 am very much in favor of
the rule In It's present form. because the
fact that the church is opposed to dane
ing. theatregoing, and the like exer-
cises very potent influence upon a very
large number of persons. II we were
10 change the rule and strike out the
prohibition against such amusements,
1t would not by any means signify that
the church no longer intended to disap-
prove them. but those who are inclined
TO be pleasure-seekers and who are now
deferred from following their inclina-
tons would certainly feel more at lib
erty in that case.
An Old Rule.
The rule In question has been in force
since 1872 1t has remained a subject
for debate ever since, and able advo-
Gates OF both sides OF the question have
not been wanting. Some maintain that
il is not part OF the rules lnid down
by Wesley. but is only bylaw. Wes-
ley's rule merely forbade such Of.
versions as cannot be used in the name
of the Lord Jesus" leaving the subject
to the individual conscience. IL is also
held that the rule is very incomplete.
rs it puts horse racing. circuses. and
theaters under the ban, but makes no
mention Of bull-nghting and cocl1-fight-
ing.
But the main objection is based on
the plea that IL is un-P-otestant to alb
rogate the right OF the individual con-
science TO pass on such matters, All
who favor a change IN the rule are pref
~ generally opposed 10 the prohibited
amusements. and only object to the
prohibitive law.
Another matter OF Importance that
has already received considerable at
tention is the matter OF the time limit.
A number OF addresses have already
been delivered on the subject at the
weekly meetings OF the Methodist
preachers. and animated debates have
always followed. The time limit OF Ave
years was removed at the last confer
ence. chiefly as an experiment, and
many claim that the old way was much
better. 1t is argued that keeping a
preacher IN one field for an indefinite
period interposes a discouraging obsta-
Gle TO the rise OF young preachers, while
the itinerant plan helped everybody to
get his turn az a desirable church. and
tended strongly 20 broaden and develop
a man by making him work SUCCESSIVE
" I'm different fields