The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-05-03
CANNOT RESTRICT The PEOPLE
Americans Too Far Advanced to
be Dictated To
REPORT MADE TO CONFERENCE
Business Of Gathering is Carried or
Much Like That Of Con-
sress.

Minneapolis. May 3.-"The Ameri-
can people are too far advanced long
er TO be restricted by church rules as
To what their amusements shall be.
The rule prohibiting dancing. card
playing. gambling, going to theaters.
circuses and horse races therefore
should be abolished"
This was given in the report pre-
sented today to the general confer
ence of the Methodist Episcopal
church by the board of bishops.
In recommending this radical change
in discipline the twenty-four active
bishops stipulated that the church,
however should not be Indifferent on
these subjects. but that the people
should be left to judge for themselves
what is right and wrong in selecting
their amusements. having before them
only the injunction Of John Wesley
which forbad the taking of such di-
versions as cannot be taken In the
name of the Lord Jesus"
The bishops declared the church rel
terated it's opposition to theater going
and gambling. but the rule. in force
since 1852. could not iix the point be-
tween "the turf and the stock mar
ket"
The report stated that i.356 out OF
2O57 district superintendents had de-
clared the amusement paragraph in
the church discipline Ineffective.
The bishops further recommended
that the church. instead of having
two temperance societies. as repre-
sented in the anti-saloon league and
by the church temperance society.
have only one. suggesting the exped-
iency of abolishing the church socie-
~.
The bishop recommended that the
church return to the limit of five
years for pastorates; and indorsed
President Taft's attempts at interna-
tional peace.
Delegates are present here repre-
senting 100000 Methodists i'm all Soc
tions OF the world. The conference
will outline activities both in the
home and mission fields. determine the
policy of the church, consider changes
in discipline or doctrines and make
appropriations to carry out the work
OF the church for the next four years.
Like American Congress.
The business Of the conference is
done much as that of the United
States Congress. The bishops take
turns presiding over the business ses-
sion and each bishop Is at the head
Of some one committee. Memorials,
new business. and all initiative is act
cd on by a conference for action.
Among some of the most important
actions OF the conference besides the
appropriations and direction of its
large printing. church and college
building societies, will he the election
of officers. including several bishops
The conference will probably elect
ten bishops. IL is also probable that
three2 bishops, now active, will be
placed on the superannuated list on
account of age. Executive heads OF
the various church organizations viii
also come up for election
Reduction in number of delegates
on basis OF representation of each con-
ference in the general conference will
be presented by a commission ap-
printed four years ago TO prepare
memorial.
Problems TO Solve.
Readjustment Of the coiored church
in the south and the election OF a col
ored bishop are among the important
changes proposed.
Federation of Methodism, outlining
plan by which the several branches
OF the church may work in harmony
and without encroaching upon the
field of others will be presented in n
memorial prepared by a commission
I headed by Bishops John M. Walden.
! Earl Cranston and Luther r. Wilson
and composed by three clergy and
three laymen appointed at the last
conference at Baltimore.
Memorials proposing changes In ju-
dietary procedure and evangelism will
he presented by commissions appoint
ed al the last conference. These are
the more important matters to come
before the conference Involving con-
stitutional changes in the church gov
ernment
Several changes In administration of
adjunct societies of the church. such
as Sunday schools. Junior and Senior
Epworth leagues. and various mis-
} sionary societies. are expected dur