The sun., 1908-04-07
METHODISTS VOTE TO DANCE
CLERGY JOINS LAITY IN ASKING
THAT BAN BE REMOVED.

COnIerence Approves q Return 70 the
Itmeraoy Plan Condemns Beard OF
Education for Something which COM
missioner stern Says IL Hasn't Done.
The New York East Methodist Conference,
IN session yesterday at st. James's Church,
Madison avenue and i2eth street, passed
several important resolutions, one Of them
dealing with dancing and other amusements.
On Friday the Law members Of the con-
ference passed q resolution asking the
General Conference 10 repeal article 2is,
which forblds dancing, card playing and
certain other amusements. and the clerical
members voted on the proposition yester-
day. II was expected that there would be
some discussion, but the resolution re-
questing the repeal Of article 2ls was passed
without discussion and only seven ministers
voted against IT, The resolution, II was
explained, does not take Methodism from
it's historic position In the matter OF amuse-
ments. but places such matters within the
conscience Of the individual
The Rev. DR., Thomas Bond OF the West
Thlrty-fifth Street Church introduced a
4 ItHOlullOH DlONOhNh - loluSiabtV hAN
cussion. 1t read;
Although the highest courts in the land,
both State and national have declared the
United States 70 he 4 Christian country,
there seems 10 be a widespread attempt
TO nullfy such declaration and in the city OF
New York the Board OF Education has both
directly and indirectly, in Difference 10 the
demands made by certain citizens, put its
-. aan nH =
divine Lord and Master.
Itt song book. introduced last fall. con-
tains hymns 10 which the name OF Jesus
Christ and any reference 10 Him have been
eNpnnEed and the sense intended by the
authors has been violated. Therefore
Rtsolrtd, That we. the members OF the
New York Conference Of the Methodist
Church. In annual session In New York as-
sembled, nott earnestly proiest against the
diShonor put on the name Of the Lord Jesus
Christ and call upon the Board OF Education
OF New York city 10 reverse Hs policy In this
matter
There 10 a persistent attempt being made
% blot out every religious reference In
our schools declared DR. Bond Il had
a most peculiar example OF II last February
when one Of our Methodist boys In the
public school wrote In al essay, The Lord
We should pattern after, and he was Or
dered by his teacher 10 blot II out He
protested and the matter went 10 the school
principal. who decided that the phrase
must be blotted out
The resolution was seconded by the
Rev Jacob E. Price, pastor Of the Bed
ford Street Church. A rising vote was called
for and tho resolution was carried unani-
mously,
Abraham Stern. q member Of the Board
Of Education, was told Of the resolution
ut the midday recees Of the conference
and asked IN VI was true that the school
hymn books had been changed Mr.. Stern
denied II. SAYING;
That is not 20. The name Of Jesus
has not been touched. nor have the hymns
been altered a. all. AZ a matter OF fact
there have been no new school books put
upon the list
Methodist Episcopal Church brought TO
the front a resolution 10 restore the time
limit on pastorates which Wae abolished
eight years ago and II was decided 70 ap-
, peal 10 the General Conference 10 60 back
10 the old way. Chancellor Day and others
prominent In the conference spoke against
the resolution.
The Rev. DR.. A. J. Palmer, for the last
three years presiding elder OF the Pough-
keepsie district. rendered his resignation
yesterday because OF III health. II was
accepted and he was appointed assistant
rector Of the First Church Of Yonken.
The afternoon session was Get aside for
the annual conference sermon, which was
preached by the Rev. Dr. A. Z. Barnett Of
the fremont Methodist Church. DR.. Bar
nett sald in part,
The Church IA comm only supposed TO be
the defender Of the capitalist and interested
In the punishment OF the small offenders.
When 9 rich man who has endowed our
schools and other charitable institutions
dies h4 10 brought before our affairs and We
sing Now the LAborere Work Is Done.
What has bsen the rAsnlt7 Socialism. The
soclalitm which asks for equality al Just.
mesa 70 all men. Socialism IL the indictment
OF the Christian religion. II ts the challenge
OF the hborine men 10 the Church,
am one minister who does not believe
that the ADVOCATES Of new social order are
crazy fanatics or redhanded anarchists. II
Christ had been present during the great
gatherings OF the unemployed In London,
where there was no schmittberger 10 declare q
that the policemAns club was greater than
the Constitution, where would Christ have
stOodl
Not In Westminster Abbey. but down
among the common people. There Ia q dis
trust Of the Church among laboring men, but
thank God this does not include q dlstrust
Of Jesus Christ.
Il ts expected that the assignments for
- .ts.a.s ill - a.. a. Has