Evening journal., 1913-04-02
METHODISTS
DIVIDED ON
JONAH STORY
Controversy Over Mains Book
Turns to Stormy Debate
of Ministers
SOME LEAVE HALL
In AN ANGRY MOOD

NEW YORK, April 1.-The old
question, whether the whale really |
swallowed Jonah intluded itself sur
reputiously into meeting of Metho-
dist clergymen in the Methodist Build
ing. and for few minutes the ancient
query proved that it still had vitality /
enough to provoke a lively row.
The conference. which was attend
ed by more than 200 clergymen, was
Immediately divided into hostile and /
rival camps Of pro-Jonah and anti
Jonah men. The pro-Jonah men in
sisted that if you were to repudiatc
the Jonah story you might as easily
repudiate the Biblical story of the
resurrection and, the miracles. To
keep the Bible from general mutila-
ton, they insisted that the Jonah
story would have to be accepted in
all its literalness.
The anti-Jonah men. on the other
hand, insisted that the story was
clearly proof that even in Biblical
days some men had sense of humor
and took a keen delight in fish
stories.
SUMS Up Anti-J0nah Case.
Rev. A. Stockdale OF Asbury Park.
who summed up the case for the
anti-Jonah men. after two advocates
Of the literal version Of the Jonah
story had quit the meeting in anger,
explained why it was hard to use the
strict Biblical Interpretation.
"In INV Cnudat- -aIool k-b,,,..s
Park he said ~ told them the
Jonah story just as a test. The chill
dren listened attentively and then
one lO-year-old boy put up his hand.
Teacher he said, that's a mighty
tine fish story. but it's a lie"
The applause that greeted Rev. Mr.
Stockdale was interpreted with
few cries of mo, MOI" These came
from the group known as the "Old
Bible Friends"
or this group Rev Jay Benson
Hamilton, pastor of Trinity Metho-
dis Episcopal Church was the chief
spokesman. The stated purpose Of
the meeting was TO permit a general
discussion of the question, "Shall the
Bible be mutilated?" Those who
chiefly wished to participate i'm
the discussion were members OF the
group known as the "Old Bible.
Friends who had taken issue with
criticisms Of the Bible recently pub
lished in Methodist magazines and
books meant for use by members Of
the church.
Offended by Book.
One of these books. published by
DR.. George p Mains, publishing
agent of the Methodist Book Concern,
had particularly offended some of the
more conservative church members.
A defense of his book made by Dr.
Mains a week ago. at which time dis
cussion from the opposition was not
permitted, led to the demand for an
opposition hearing at yesterdays
meeting 1t was the intention of sew
eral members of the opposition. be-
sides DR.. Hamilton. to speak against
the tendency to take the Bible less
literally than in former times But
the intrusion OF the Jonah question
and the rapid-fre debate which fol-
lowed it on the part of two editors
of Methodist publications, who arose
to defend the editorial policies. con-
sumed the entire time set apart for
the meeting and the luncheon period
as we'll. The final adjournment,
which came at o'clock, was some
what in the nature of a hunger strike
against further controversy.
DR.. Hamilton spoke from a care
fully prepared monuscript upon the
serious necessity to consider the
Bible as an inspired work and 10 in
clude even the English translation
in the inspired conception. When
clergymen took this view, hc said,
it left no question whatever open
for the advocates of higher criticism.
Makes Heated Reply.
John T. Mcfarland editor OF The
Methodist Sunday School Magazine,
felt himself attacked in what DR..
Hamilton had said, and he rose from
the floor to reply In rather heated
terms he stated that the policy of
the SundaySchool Magazine was to
give the young people of the church
access to the results or criticism of
the Bible. He said it was the policy
% do this so far as possible without
giving offense TO the believers in the
literal accuracy of every statement
in the Bible Mr. Mcfarland broach-
ed the question OF an editors duty
in the face of the Jonah story James
NJ. Buckley, former editor Of the
Christian Advocate, and David G
Downey, book editor of the Methodist
Publishing Concern. supported the
Sunday School Magazine editor.
Reporters who had remained out
side during the first part of the meet
. ing. on the understanding that il was
to be secret. saw the door suddenly
fly open and two clergymen issue
forth They were asked what Il was
all about
THE less said the better" one Of
them remarked "They are throwing
Christian brotherhood to the wind.
ane attacking each other without
charity and without fairness to eacl
others views. If ! we're not a Chris
tian. a meeting like this would no
make me one. have had all ! car
stand and I am going away"
Both of the clerymen refused L
give their names.
While Il was the understanding o
many of tho-e present that report
ers we're t. be excluded. clergymer
near the main door beckoned to The
reporters to come in when the pas
sages between speakers as TO Jonai
were flying about most thickly.