The San Francisco call., 1908-05-08
METHODISTS URGE
CHILD LABOR LAW
QuadrenniaI Conference De-
nOunceS MOrmOnism, Divorce,
Liquor and WOrIdIiness
Bishops, Representing 3,O36, 600
Members, Declare in Favor
of Labor Unions

BALTIMORE May THE feature OF
today's sitting Of the quadrennial gen.
eral conference OF the Methodist Epis-
copal bishops was the reading of the
Episcopal address prepared by the
bishops by Bishop Daniel A. Goodsen
OF Boston.
The address notes a gain in the
number Of communicates during the
last four years Of 27S.357, the greatest
number during any similar period for
16 years. The total pastoral army
numbers 20.I6l. These. according to
the address. preach the gospel in 1so
languages and dialects
The total gain in church property for
the four years is s32,67s.4SI and the
total valuation Of churches and par
sonages is S1S6.924.02s.
The membership in the United States
is 3.O36, 900, while in the whole world
the number was 3.307.275 at the close
Of 1907
Figures are given showing that since
the last general conference the value
Of educational grounds and buildings
has increased Sz.682, 539s and is now
S25,761,547, total endOwments $2S,S5O,-
zS6. an increase of s5.S6o.3S4 and the
value OF educational property and en-
dOwment exclusive OF debt, has in
creased s1I,1sI,se2 and is now $<7,-
E69.532.
Relative to investigation of charges
OF heresy by the bishops the address
says:
we are unanimously Of the opinion
that the bishops ought not to be
cha rged with any functions OF investi-
cations" and that preliminary investi-
cation in these cases should be con-
fined to the annual conference OF the
body which has lawful Jurisdiction"
AS to amusenents and the book of
discipline the address continues:
WORLDLY JOYS SCORED
we are moved by a profound con-
yiction OF duty in again calling your
attention TO the subject Of popular
and conduct OF spiritual life. We re-
gret that the great prevalence OF
harmful amusements does not diminish.
We still firmly hold that they are an
tagonistic to vital piety. promotive OF
worldliness and especially pernicious
20 youth"
In the course Of a discussion of civic
righteousness the bishops say:
We 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
lDgmen are TO have more power, the
fdlers less With restless and icono-
elastic future before US we must both
lead and restrain by religious forces. "
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 permitted by the divorce
laws OF some OF our states is a disgrace
10 our country. It continues TO under
mine family life and 10 break up intc
helpless and warning factions that
which God means shall be a unit. We
greatly rejoice that the conscience OF
the nation is being quickened on this
subject and the demand for uniform
divorce laws increased"
AS TO Mormonism the bishops de-
clare:
TO CHECK HORMONISM
we believe from the best evidence
we can obtain that the polygamous
practices OF the past are still found in
the states and territories occupied in
part by representatives Of the Mormon
bodies. In several states they have
such a political strength and furnish
such sympathetic juries that the law
against such polygamous practices can
not be executed. We believe that as
IN divorce these must be brought with
in the scope of national legislation be-
fore the evils can be reached with sufi-
cient vigor to punish them as they de-
serve.
In the section devoted 10 child labor
the address says:
In the name of Jesus Christ we pro-
test against the sacrifice of childhood
on the altar of mammon, whether II
be the sloth OF parents or the greed OF
proprietors. We demand from legis-
iators such laws as will in securing
freedom TO children. from exhaustinf
toll contribute TO the vitality. the
growth and The moral power and moral
sense OF all youthful employees"
The bishops have quite a little tc
say as TO workingmen and the church
and also TO trades unions, part being
as follows:
For those who labor with theiI
hands and whose reward is a wage the
church has great sympathy We hold
the right Of those workingnsen who de-
sire to do so to form labor unions fol
the advancement of their interests as
we hold the right OF individual labor
ers who prefer to do 50 to seek the
control Of their own labor. The church
and the trades unions should seek each
others help for the uplift OF mankind