Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-03-19

WAR ON THE SALOON.
Denounces Side Show Methods OF
Raising. Money. For Churches
.Ayersc TO Bazaars, Concerts, Etc.

Pottstown,. Pa, March ia pro-
nounced militant attitude on mat
ters of social reform was taken early
in it's opening session in First
Church yesterday, by the one hun
dred and twenty seventh annual
Philadelphia Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. BY
the remarkable demonstration
caused by the appearance of IS min
isters, representing that many diff
ferent evangelical sects as part and
parcel of the Conference delibera-
tions; by the reiterated statements
of Bishop Joseph F. Berry and
prominent Methodist clergymen on
the utter necessity Of the church go
ing out in solid front against the
forces of the saloon and "organ-
lied evil" the gage Of battle for
the ensuing year was quickly deter
mined. Even the old problem of
appointments fell to the rear, Bish-
op Berry's first statement being to
the effect that almost all the min
listers are already aware Of what Is
intended for them, and that changes
decided upon are of minor import,
affecting but few Of the big charges.
In the Conference sessions proper,
in the waiting hall and III committee
rooms the one topic FOR discussion
was the proposed campaign of uni
ted Christian bodies, first against
liquor and secondly against the for
ces that have been working against
conversions. Later in the week, a
strong denunciation Of the liquor
traffic will lead the organization by
the preachers and the Laymen's AS
sociation of means by which further
inroads may be made upon the sa-
looms. As presiding officer Of the
sessions, the venerable Bishop voiced
the opinion of the Conference body
by declaring that never since 1856
have there been such decided and
universal tendencies toward evan
gelistic reforms.
THANK God,' said Bishop Berry
chat l am living now. The times
Of theological controversy and de-
nominational differences have evel
been times Of modified activities fol
the churches. But here today we
have seen a wonderful exemrlifica,
tion of the new spirit in the welconl
ing to the platform Of these ses
sions of so large a body of men
representing so many different per
suasions of the Christian faith. W.
ere about to witness the most re
markable reforms of a half century
All denominations are lining W
against the influences Of the liquor
traffic and organized evil. The trum
net is sounding clear acrsss th'
country and we are going forth witt
courage to the mission God ma
given US"
Applause met the Bishops re
i marks, which followed the addres
of Rev. L. X. Evans, pastor an
pastor emeritus for ~ years o
Pottstown Trinity Reformed Churcf
Dr.. Evans was the spokesman 10
the 13 ministers, and he said thel
appearance and the message the
brought from 13 separate denomlna
tions heraided the sure unity OF tn
evanee eelical churches. The bond c
divinity. he said, has taken the plac
: of superficial divergence, providln
that conscientious differences in be
! liefS are not to hinder, -hencetortl
: the Christian determination to bal
\ tie for better world.
s at is just as possible to be loys
j to one church and at the same tim
V a true member Of the univers;
: church, he said "as it is to be
o. loyal son Of Pennsylvania and
! true citizen Of the United States"
A tendency toward abandonmel
: of all "sideshow" methods" in raj
- ing funds FOR churches was indie
h ted in report made by DIR. Villa
: Powick, superintendent of Il
I Northwest District of the Confe
y y