Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-18
SAYS CHURCH
IS FACTORY
CONDITIONS HAVE BROADENED
IN RECENT YEARS
PASTOR SEES MUCH GOOD IN
ADJUSTMENTS
Times Different Than They Were in
Old Days, but Many Continue
to See Out of the
Same Eyes

Keep in mind that the church is a
factory and not show room; that it
must be imperfect in order to be per-
feet in the sense that the imperfection
is taken into 1t to be made perfect"
The foregoing was the substance OF
expressions made by Rev. d. #. Howe,
pastor of the Westlake Methodist
church. in an address yesterday at the
Methodist ministers meeting.
DIR. Howe's topic was "The Growing
Amusement Question" He said:
1.-THE amusement question Is one of
the greatest that comes within the
church discipline and work. The young
people of the church of today are con-
fronted quite differently from those of
fifty years ago. Since those times the
conditions have broadened.
''In the old times a game of cards
seemed to mean, according to prevail
ing opinion, a game of chance. 1t was
an old greasy game of cards then, but
now 1t is much different.
"The church life is confronted by
theaters and other similar amuse-
ments and the young people come in
close contact with them. which fact
must be considered fairly by older per-
holding them. 1t is a problem to be
handled with much discretion.
Theaters in High Schools
1.-THE universities are holding annual
productions that would not have been
formerly tolerated. In New York they
are trying to get the theaters into the
high schools. New York Is not the only
city that this kind of amusement is be-
ing agitated and going on. Amuse-
ments are active all the time among
the young people, and If dancing and
card playing are not in the open they
are behind closed doors.
little children of the Sunday school
come in contact with other children
who are their bosom friends, who dance
and are endangered in this way to be
led astray
"But the children and the older ones
constituting the young people must
have their amusements. 1t is the life
of the young person to play, to amuse
and be amused. Young animals frolic
and play and the young life of a per-
son is of but little value If activity
is not shown in the play or amusement
line. The physical and mental condi-
ton demand that the young people ex-
ercise themselves with methods that
are uplifting and not degrading.
This is the condition which con-
fronts the young people. and 1t is use
less to throw vitriol among them. Some
may think II an act OF bravery to SEND
forth volumes of TRADE. But / consider
1t an act of cowardice.
Must Be Sensible
I'VE older people must be sensible
and. consider that we were once young
and enjoyed the old fashioned shin.
| digs l really think that a modern
dance at home is far better than &
| game in the dark, as of old times.
1--WE must remember young people
have their ideas regarding amusement!
| and we should not check them, bu
direct them in the highest possible
| sphere in the promotion of the hes
form Of amusement calculated for theil
| good.
THE sex relation is fundamental Il
| the amusement of the young people il
| the churches. Some have the notion
| that young man must not look at |
| young woman in church. But 1 hav'
| seen a holy young man cast sheep
| eyes at a holy young woman-and
| do not see any wrong in that. Now, b.
| honest. my brethren in the ministry
| don't you think that when we get oil,
| and bald headed we are apt to forge
| what we used to do and that which be
longs to the young people of the churcl
| today?
"God never intended that young PEG
| pie should be deprived of their natura
4 liberties in the enjoyment of innocen
amusements. and there is no bette