Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-28
ARE AFTER ATHEISTS
Object of the Methodists in
Rome Explained.
REV. Mr.. Triples SERMON
American Pastor Declares Charge of
Proselyting Foolish.
BELIEVES CATHOLICS BENEFIT
Thinks Professionalism Is Spur-Ire-
land Kept From Banquet by
Toast to King of Italy.
BELIEVES CATHOLICS BENEFIT

ROME. February 2S.-The American
Methodist Church was crowded yesterday
morning. the congregation including many
American visitors. who were attracted by
the subject of Pastor B. M. Triples SER
mon, why Methodism Is in Rome
1t was in the American Methodist
Church that Charles W. Fairbanks, former
Wise President of the United States. de-
livered the address which cost him an
audience with the pope, an incident which
has created much discussion in Rome as
we'll as In the United States.
The Rev. Mr. Triple said that the Meth
odist Church was meeting with great sue
cess throughout Italy. Such an inference,
he said. could be drawn from the Eek
traordinary action" of the Vatican with
regard to the proposed visit of former
Vice President Fairbanks to the pope,
and also from the bitter resentment of
the Catholic clergy" AS Mr.. Fairbanks
spoke in the American Methodist Church.
the pastor said. it was fitting that from
the same pulpit the charges preferred
against Methodism in Italy should be con-
sidered.
Permitted by Law.
WIN reference TO the assertion that
Methodists have no right to be in Italy,"
said the preacher, the answer is that
we are under the Italian laws guarantee
ing religious freedom. Another assertion
by the Catholics is that Methodism is not
needed in Italy. But Methodists believe
that the need is urgent. as the Catholic
Church Is always more efficient for good
when compelled to compete with aggres-
sive Professionalism. as conspicuOusly evil
denced in America.
The Catholic Church suffers embar-
raSsment when it is required to satisfy
the ideals of a great liberty-loving re-
public contemporaneously with needing
the demands of the Vatican, which is still
bound by the ideals of the middle ages.
This is proved by the experience of Arch
bishop Ireland when he was here a year
ago studying the Methodist propaganda.
A great Lincoln banquet was arranged
by the American colony. Very properly,
Archbishop Ireland was asked to speak.
Very properly, as patriotic American
citizen. he accepted the invitation. But
suddenly the archbishop recalled his ac-
ceptance. The Vatican had forbidden
him to speak or attend the banquet be-
cause a toast to President Roosevelt was
followed by a toast to the King of Italy.
Italy Needs Methodism.
Italy needs Methodism, because 1t is
no longer Catholic, except in name. The
charge of Methodists PROSECUTING is fool
ish. Their hands are full in dealing with
the unbelievers. This is proved by the
last census. which shows that Italy re-
ports the largest number of men with
out religious profession. 1t is true that
the Methodists have ex-priests among
the workers. but none has been actively
sought. The Methodist schools are full
because the children's parents select them
as the best.
THE issue in Italy today is not Prot
estantism versus Catholicism, but faith
versus atheism. Archbishop Ireland has
said that every convert to ,Methodism
costs 81 400. If that be true cannot the
American Methodists better afford to pay
1t than every three Italian laborers who
carry one prieSt?"
The pastor urged that Archbishop Ire
land specify the dishonorable Methodists
here, and he added:
1t is playing with fire for the Catho-
lie Church to open the subject of moral
methods in Italy