The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-05-09

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Benjamin r. EdsaII, Of Newark,
N. J. The resolution was referred
to a committee. II declared:
That compulsory good behavior
is not the essence Of religion" and
that the present rule is Ineffective"
Minneapolis, MINI, May 1.-TWO
proposals to throw restrictions about
ministers In the choice of their church
es promised to arouse lively debate at
the Methodist Episcopal general confer
cree which began the fourth day Of its
Q~uadrenrial session here today. The
statement of the bishops that ministers
should discourage a growing tendency
to go where the salaries were highest,
rather thar to where their services
We're most needed" was scheduled to
bring out discussion as to the differ
ence between the cost Of living and the
salaries paid in many parts Of the
country. The bishops In their message
to the conference described bargain
Ing for salaries a form of commercial
ism Inconsistent with Methodism."
Another recommendation to limit to
five years as the longest time any min
lister shall remain in a given pulpit
also is expected to develop opposition.
vided today as to whether the proposal
would pass the conference when 1t
comes to a vote.
cranston Well Received.
A demonstration which greeted
Bishop Earl Cranston's reading Of the
recommendation was taken as indi-
eating a lively debate on the question
when 1t comes up for vote Of the $50
delegates. A motion declaring that the
rule always had been a source Of
constant irritation and unrest in the
church and asking that 1t be referred
to a committee was promptly voted
down, arguments being presented that
the full conference was ''going to
settle that question and no one else."
No sooner was the motion made than
James /. Bartholomew, of New Bed
ford. Mass, took the floor.
Il knew of a high school boy who
in studying English went to see
Macbeth 1t was the duty Of the pas
tor without option to expel that boy
from the church on the ground that
he had violated this supposed law. A
Jury acting under the rule would have
to expel, but a jury acting under
Wesley's rule would certainly not
eXpel."
Against the Rule.
Arguments against continuing the
anti amusement rule as presented
we're:
THAT the majority Of churchgocrs
never have refrained from dancing and
theaters because of the church and the
violation of this rule has tended to,
bring all church discipline into con-
tempt.
THAT many people regard Shake
speare on the stage as good as Shake
| speare in a book.
THAT many people refuse to con-
denim all plays because some Of them
are bad Just as much as they would
refuse to condemn all novels because
some novels were not proper.
That gambling Is fundamentally
had ignored appeals that no govern
ment official attend the congress. Sec
Against abolishing the rule. the
arguments We're:
TT would give the impression that
the church was tending toward laxity
| and that the church was indors1ng the
things that it formerly opposed. IL
would revive the restrictions which
held people from these forms of amuse-
ment."
Wilson Condemned.
In adopting a resolution offered by
James w. Anderson, of Ia,
d~enouncing Secretary of Agriculture
| James Wilson for accepting the honor
| airy Craftsmanship of a con-
| gress in Chicago last October, the con-
ference declared tina President Taft.
| Secretary Wilson and Secretary Knox
| have forfeited all claims on the future
| franchise OF the Christian and sober
wrong and does not need a rule to
manhood of the nation. because they
| prohibit it,"
rotary Wilson's explanation that he at
| tended the congress because he was
Interested in the growth OF hops and
barley was described as IAN insult and
frivolous"
commission Of 30 delegates to consider
| the demand of some of The negro dele
gates that they be given a negro
bishop to supervise the affairs of $685.
| 900 members of their church In south
ern states.
Bishops Report.
The bishops report was delivered by
| Bishop Earl Cranston, Of Washington,
d. c., and it formed the second section
OF the episcopal address, the first half
OF which had been given the day be-
We would ~joyfully acclaim the day
| when every Christian would abstain from
the amusements which have been pro-
hibited, but we can't repress our convic-
the danger. The bishops therefore recon-
mend a return to the consistent treatment
F, OF this subject by Wesley and the more
the American people and the intelligence
az the twentieth century.
AS a church we cannot approve dancing
and theater going. They are questionable
amusements. To us, as to several Of our
| sister churches. they who Justify these
| amusements as consistent with the spirit
ia L " a aDEO
lack of spiritual perception.
Again, we stand unitedly against gam
hing and we recognize clearly that IL Is
| the same In Wall street that it Is In the
Lowest resort, but we never ventured legis-
iatiyely to fix the point where the race
track gambler. passing from the turf to
the stock market, becomes a respectable
| business man eligible to church member
ship and the Craftsmanship Of the board
OF trustees.
In our absolute helplessness before this
question we must not continue to allow
the world to suspect that the larger the
stake and the more reckless of public
provided the winner pays tithes to re-
ligion or benevolence.
The bishops report stated that 1856 Of
the 2,O57 district superintendent had pro-
! nounced ineffective the amusement para
graph In the church discipline. The bish-
ops further recommended:
That instead or having two temperance
societies as represented in the anti-saloon
league and the Methodist Church Temper
ance society the churches have only one,
suggesting the abolition of the latter So
ciety.
That the church return to the limit Of
five years for pastorates, as was in force
prior to 1900.
Child labor and boycotting in disputes
between capital and labor were denounced
and President Taft was indorsed for his
attempts to promote International peace.
j ATTEMPTS by any religions body IN in