Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-05-14
ON ADJUSTMENTS
METHODIST COMMITTEE REPoRr
Recommendation to Strike out the Cat
alosue of Prohibited Amuse-
ments.

Los Angeles. Cal. May 12.-Initial
action OF the greatest Importance was
taken yesterday by the committee on
the state of the church. The sub-com-
nittee on amusements. with Chief JUS
rice Sibley as its chairman. made its
report in the presence of large audi
,erce. The report follows:
We suggest an additional section to
be inserted in the discipline, to be sub
stantally as follows:
Amusements - Improper amuse-
ments and excessive indulgence in in
pocent amusements are serious barriers
20 the beginning OF the religious life,
and fruitful causes of spiritual decline
Some amusements in common use are
also positively demoralizing and fur
'nish the first easy steps to the total
loss of character. We, therefore. look
with deep concern on the great in
crease OF amusements, and on the gem
ieral prevalence of harmful amuse-
uehts, and lift up n solemn note OF
Warning and entreaty. particularly
against theater- going. promiscuous
nancing and such games OF chance as
are frequently associated with gamb-
ling. all Of which have been found to-
be aHtagonistic to vital piety promo
nicious 10 youth. We affectionately ad-
IaoniSh all our people to make their
-amuseiuents the subject of careful
thought and frequent prayer. to study
the subject OF amusements In the light
OF the tendencies. and to be scrupu-
lousy careful in this matter to set no
injurious example We conluTe them,
ihen. TO remember that the question
for Christian must often be, not
whether certain course of action is
positively immoral, but whether il will
dull the spiritual life and be an unwise
example We enjoin on all our bish-
ops, presiding elders and pastors to
call attention 10 this subject with SOL
emn urgency 10 our annual and quar-
terry conference. and in all our pulpits
and on our editors. Sunday school Of
hcers. Epworth League officers and
ciasz leaders to aid in abating the evils
we dsplore. We deem it our bounden
duty to summon the whole church to
apply thoughtful and instructed con
science to the question Of amusements.
and not TO leave them TO accident or
taste or passion; and We affectionately
adyise and beseech every member OF
ihe church absolutely TO avoid the TAX
ing Of such diversions as cannot be
used In the name Of the Lord Jesus
The committee reported to recon-
mend the General Conference that II
strike out Of paragraph PAS the words:
Dances. theater- going. circuses and
card playing" so that the catalogue of
prohibited amusements will he omitted
entirely The committee recommended
that the action of the episcopal ad-
dress made by the bishops be placed in
the special address.
The report of the subcommittee pre-
eipitated lively discussion. An effort
fc put back the original catalogue or
amusements was lost by vote of 81
TO "a. a motion was offered to divide
the entire paragraph into two sections
making all reference to the sale and
use of intoxicating liquors a paragraph
by itself. and that relating to amuse-
ments also by itself
The motion TO divide. after an cxcit-
5rg debate, was tabled.
The bishop paragraph TO be placed in
the adyices was next discussed. and
Dr. F. NJ Bristol of Washington made
a stirring speech and moved TO strike
ont of the paragraph the word pro
niscuous" He wanted IL 10 read
dancing" without the word ''promis-
cuous" before IL, and explained his rea-
sons at length. His amendment was
carried. The debate was cut of at
o'clock. and the report will be dis
cassed again next Friday. The general
opinion is that this will be the action
Of the committee. and that the report
viii go to the General Conference in
this manner. The paragraph of the
Episcopal address here referred to IL
vitality important to the church at
large. Final action on ii by the Cen
eral Conference will be awaited with
Intense interest by the rank and file OF
, Methodism