The Colorado statesman., 1908-05-09
PLATFORM OF
METHODISM
ADDRESS OF BISHOPS AT THE
GENERAL CONFERENCE IN
BALTIMORE.
URGE GOOD SALARIES
TOUCH ON DIVORCE EVIL, CHILD
LABOR, ARMY CANTEEN, AND
POLYGAMY.

Baltimore, Md-Bishop Goodsell of
Boston was easily the central figure
of Thursdays session of the quadren-
nial general conference of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church by reason of the
fact that it was he who read the ad-
dress of the bishops and that this ad-
dress, always matter of much inter
est, contained this time matter of un,
usual Importance. 1t says:
while we still insist that it is un-
wise to plan for emoluments in the
church which are likely to make the
accessories Of salary and house more
attractive than the work itself, it is
of the highest wisdom to offer such
support as secures freedom from anX-
iety as well as modest provision for
intelligence, culture and education for
children. We believe that inadequate
estimate for these rights even in the
great prosperity of recent years has
kept many from our work, who being
necessarily in debt already to our edu-
catfonal board, or to relatives and
friends for the cost of their education
feel that they cannot wait until middle
life before they can hope to repay those
they owe"
AS to amusements and the book of
discipline, the address continues:
I'VE are moved by profound convic-
ton of duty in again calling your at
tention TO the subject of popular
amusements in relation to the spirit
and conduct of spiritual life. We re-
gret that the general prevalence of
harmful amusements' does not dimin
ish. We still firmly hold that they are
antagonistic to vital piety, promotive
of worldliness and especially PERM
cious to youth"
In the course of a discussion of civic
righteousness the bishop says:
I'VE see clearly that within the next
generation there are to be great social
changes. The influence of wealth on
political life and measures is to grow
less, whether it be in the hands of in
dividuals or corporations. The work
ingmen are to have more power, the
idlers less. With a restless and icono-
elastic future before us, We must both
lead and restrain by religious forces
The social philosopher and the sociol-
ogist can detect injustices and wrongs,
remedy the wrongs which are the issue
of greed"
Satisfaction is expressed that there
has been prevented "the re-establish-
ment of the canteen and the fouling
again of the nations hand by direct
participation in the sale of liquor
AS to divorce:
The consecutive polygamy permit
ted by the divorce laws of some of our
states is disgrace to our country. 1t
continues to undermine family life and
to break up into helpless and warning
factions that which God means shall
be unit. We greatly rejoice that the
conscience of the nations is being
uuickened on this subject and that the
demand for uniform divorce laws in
creases."
In the section devoted to child labor
the address says:
I'm the name of Jesus Christ we pro-
test against the sacrifice of childhood
on the altar of mammon, whether 1t be
! the sloth of parents or the greed of
J proprietors. We demand from legisla-
/ tors such laws as will, in securing free
dom to children from eXhausting toll,
contribute to the vitality, the growth
and the moral power and moral sense
| of all youthful employees"