Evening journal., 1912-03-15
METHODISTS KEEP UP
BAR ON ADJUSTMENTS
And refuse TO Strike Out Paragraph 26O, and In.
strict General Conference DeIegafes---Aiso Lay
on the Table Plan TO Elect District Supern-
fendenfs- ---Eiecf Delegates This afternoon

Members of the Wilmington Metho-
dist Episcopal Conference this morn
ing after some debate took a stand
against any lowering of the church's S
standards against card playing, dane
ing and attending theatres. This
question, supposed to nave been
pretty we'll settled eight years ago,
came up when the Rev. Dr. Vaughan
S. Collins offered a memorial asking
the General Conference to strike out
of the Discipline paragraph $50 which
prohibits Methodists indulging IN
dancing, card playing, worldly amuse-
ments and attending theatres.
DIR. Collins explained that the para
graph was not necessary, inasmuch
as other paragraphs were adopted
eight years ago by the General Con-
Terence, upon the recommendation of
the Bishops. These paragraphs lad
wise against instead of prohibit
worldly amusements. Dir. Collins said
he understood it was the intent to
Strike out paragraph $50 when the
advisory paragraph were adopted
DR.. Collins also read another me-
mortal, unsigned, that had been Of
tered to the committee, requesting the
General Conference to take no back
ward step on the amusement ques-
ton"
The Rev. Henry G. Budd spoke
against any lowering of the bars and
asked DR.. Collins If he understood
him to say that a Bishop had said the
paragraph was TO be stricken out. Dr
COLLINS said he had so understood
from a Bishop.
The Rev. S. NJ. Morgan also spoke
fgainst any change, saying it would
tause disturbance.
Many Spoke Against II.
The Rev. r. r. Coursey also opposed
any change. There is not single
thing prohibited in that paragraph
mat is not detrimental to spiritual
ity, he said. Dancers and card
players are not ready to fight in the
army of the Lord. Lower the hiLh
standard Of our church and everv the
atre and vaudeville manager in she
country would throw UP his hat and
rejoice"
The Rev W. T. White, Of Dover, aud
District Superintendent r. X. Ste
phenson spoke against the proposed
change as a backward step. I'VE can
attract and hold the young people
even if we don't change" they said
pr. Stephenson pointed out thar there
was not request from a young pso-
pies society to make the change.
The Rev. Henry G. Turner said the
purpose of the memorial was not to
lower the standard, but to take the
church back to the old Wesleyan
standard, the rule for 100 years Of the
greatest success of the church. I'VE
don't want to lower the standard bur
we want a reasonable standard" nv
Turner said.
There seemed to be some question
as to which memorial was being dis
cussed. and DR.. Watts motion calling
for the previous question and ending
debate prevailed Bishop Wilson tnen
put the question on the second mem
orial, calling upon General Confer
ence to take mo backward STEP
which was changed to read "no re-
verse action" and which prevailed
unanimously The memorial calling
for the striking out of paragraph 260
was not voted on.
Conference also adopted Rev. G. 7.
Alderson's resolution instructing the
Wilmington Conference delegates to
the General Conference to vote against
any lowering of the amusement bars.
To Elect This Afternoon.
Conference will meet this afternoon
at two o'clock to elect four minister
lal delegates to the General Confer
ence. There is much suppressed ex-
citement over the election. and while
It has been supposed all along thar
the four district superintendents
would be hOnored, It was said today
that some surprises may be spruns
A move 10 try 10 defer the election
until Monday was talked Of this morn
ing.
After another long debate the
Conference laid upon the table
the much-mooted memorial TO ask the
General Conference to provide for the
members Of Conference to elect or at
least nominate district superin:end-