New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-02-28
METHODIST In ROME
Il REPLY TO VATICAN
The Rer. Mr.. Triple Speaks On
Fairbanks Incident.

Rome. Feb 7.-The American MethoA..
Church was crowded this morning "A.
congregation. Including many American
visitors. who were attracted b. the sub,.r.
Of the Rev. g. NJ Tipple's sermon, "whv
Methodlsm Is in Rome. 1t was IN Il,
American Methodist Church that Charis.
w. Fairbanks, Vice-Presidept of the United
states. delivered the address which pre-
vented him from being received in audience
by the Pope.
The Rev. Mr.. Triple said that the Metho-
dist Church was having great Success
throughout Italy. Such an inference could
he drawn from the extraordinary action o.
the Vatican with regard 20 the proposed
visit of Mr. Fairbanks, to the Pope and
also from the bitter resentment OF the
f.stfnIic clergy AS Mr. Fairbanks spoke
in the American Methodist Church. the
pastor said. il was fitting that from the
same pulpit the charges preferred ssaiast
Methodlsn in Italy should be considered.
with reference TO the assertion that
Methodists have no right 20 be in Italy"
said the preacher, the answer Is that We
are here under Italian laws. guaranteeing
religious freedom. Another assertion by
tho Catholfcs 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 70 compete with azgrss-
sive Professionalism. as conspicuousiy EVIL
denced in America.
THE Catholic Church suffers embarrass-
ment when 1t is required 10 satisfy the
ideals OF a great liberty loving republic
contemporaneousIy with needing the de-
mands of the Vatican. which is still bound
by the ideals of the Middle Ages. This Is
proved bv the experience Of Archbishop
Ireland when he was mere year ago
studying the Methodist propaganda A
great Lincoln banquet was arranged by
the American colony. Very properly Arch
bishop Ireland was asked 70 speak. Very
properly as a patriotic American citizen.
he accepted the invitation But suddenly
the good Archbishop recalled hts accept
ance. The Vatican had forbidden him TO
speak or attend the banquet, because
toast to President Roosevelt was followed
by a toast TO the King OF Italy
'TtaIy needs Methodism because IT is no
Iorger Catholic except in name The cnarss
of Methodist PROSECUTING is foolish Their
hands are full In dealing with the unbe-
levers. This is proved by the last census.
which shows that Italy reports the Iargesr
number of men without 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 Sc
Iect them as the best
The issue in Italy to-day is not Protes-
tantism versus Catholicism. but faith vs-
sus atheism. Archbishop Ireland has sad
that every convert to Methodism costs 81
400. If that is true. cannot the American
Methodists better afford 20 pay IL than
every three Italian labOrers who carry one
priest?"
The pastor urged that Archbishop Ireland
specify the dishonorable methods employed
by the Methodists here, and he added: 1t
is playing with fire for the Catholic Church
20 open the subject Of moral methods in