Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-07
APOLOG|zED FOR HIS BOOK
METHODIST MINISTER DREW
CHARACTERS TOO CLOSELY.
Some Of His Pensioners Thought He
Was hooking Them-An Address
on Amusements.
Special dispatch to The Star.

Special dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK April 6.-The Rev. Ben
jamin C Warren. pastor of the Centenary
Methodist Church, at Washington avenue
and 166th street. appeared before the New
York conference OF the Methodist Church
this morning and apologized for having
written a novel in which he Is alleged to
have drawn some of the characters too
closely to the lives of Methodist clergymen
of his acquaintance.
member Of the conference afterward
said that the Rev. Mr. Warren was former
ly Methodist pastor in Poughkeepsie, and
that his novel not only contained characters
in which other Methodist preachers thought
they recognized themselves and their
friends. but that it reflected upon social
conditions which Poughkeepsie readers
thought referred to their city. The con-
ference member said there had been con-
siderable feeling about the book. and that
Mr.. Warren was justified in thinking that
some of tile other ministers turned a cold
shoulder In his direction. His apology
and promised suppression of his novel
would, in the opinion of this minister, clear
the air.
The title of Mr.. Warrens book was In
the Land of Romburg. 1t was written
while he was the pastor of the Washington
Street Church, Poughkeepsie. Many of
the members of the congregation thought
they saw yelled references to themselves
in the pastors book.
Six young men were vote of the con-
ference received into full conference men,
bership this morning and they will be
ordained elders tomorrow afternoon in the
Washington Square Church.
Duty of Methodist Ministers.
Bishop Berry addressed them regarding
the duty of Methodist ministers In his
address he referred to the higher criticisms.
saying that the Methodist Church believed
in scholarship. He declared that scholars
and heretics were by means the same,
and to be fossil it is not necessary to be
a devoted Christian. But, he continued,
higher criticism has not really amounted
to much after all. Moses Is still the great
law-giver and the old Testament characters
still believed in. We cruelty no man
whose honest opinions differ from those
of the rest of US. But the church will not
tolerate a teacher or preacher who pro-
claims his doubts to his people and casts
reflections upon the integrity of the book
or who disturbs the faith Of the common
people.
Methodism and Amusements.
Bishop Berry expressed himself strongly
upon the amusement question long dis
turbing factor in Methodist circles. He
said: We live in the midst of an amuse-
ment mania. 1t is the principal thing in
most communities. Theaters multiply and
are crowded Balls are popular and the
card table has come from the saloon. where
it originated, into the homes of the people
Society has ordained that these are quite
the thing. This is difficult problem when
you are dealing with young people.
"A person never has SO much religion
that he can get along without recreation.
Psychology recognizes that recreation is
essential to life. My contention is that
the Methodist Church is under special obli-
cation to find amusement for young people.
Until We do that We may we'll stop our
efforts to enforce an impossible prohibition
and thereby stop the drift of young people
out OF Methodism because of our illogical
attitude on this point