Evening journal., 1916-05-06
LIFTING
METHODIST BAN
Question of AmusementS
Occupies Attention OF
Conference Delegates
LIBERALS HOPING FOR
LESS DRASTIC RULES

SARATOGA SPRINGS, n. N.. May g..
The prohibition against amusements
TO De imposed ON the l,oo0,oOo commu-
nicaut- n the Methodist Episcopal
Church D, engaging the serious attention
of delegates to the General Conference.
The problem of divorce, with rcsolu-
tion. dealing with il, vas submitted to
another subcommittee which will nc
port back the recommendation whether
in if opnicn II ought 20 go before the
General Conference.
There Is p large element at The Gen
cnl Conference which believes in cata-
logumg in detail the anusemclts not
tolerated 10y the church, whereas others
favor general mouornccmcnt leaving
the selection TO the conscience oi each
individual. This would hc la general
keeping oi the recommendation of the
hoard ol bishops aud the general propo-
.itim laid down in the Episcopal nd
dress that the amusement. to be avoid
cd were those not compatible with
christian living.
The ibe al element is confident spc-
chc reference. to card playing. dancing
aud the theatres win be avoided by the
delegates at Saratoga Springs. Commu-
nicants viii bc given advice ON how to
behave saw the liberals. ht no rigid
rules viii bc laid down. There is APP
parom rrr, sincere desire among pll
The classcs of delegates to cnact only
such laws a. win meet with modern
conditions and the constructive benefit
10 the Church
Tho meeting Of the committee on
state OF the Church this after
noon developed au unexpected argu-
ment ON the subicf Of organized
There were adopted al the General
Conference Of 1912 sixteen resolutions
comprisng what was designated ass
the social creed" Of the Methodist
Episcunal Church Later The Federal
Council Of the Churches Of Christ in
America added two other tonots To-
THIS creed the first affirming the
fright Of employees and employers
alike TO organize" and the second
adding emphasis upon the applica-
ton Of Christian principles 10 the
acquisition and use Of property
When these two additions were in-
troduced in committee there was im-
mediate objection ON the right of em-
ploycs and employers to organize on
the ground that Il was a subject with
with tho Church should not meddle.
James S Bellamy. OF Knoxville. Ia.
who is a member of group Of social
workers and labor representatives. al
though himself farmer and an em-
ployer OF labor. hotly opposed this
statement and the committee on state
( Of Tho churches finally voted 10 adopt
the additions 20 the social creed and
ito submit that all to the General Con
/ ference.
Tho subject OF temperance and vice
! engaged much of the attention Of The
General Conference and Of tho dele
+ gates and visitors at their meetings
/ yesterday n was announced this
evening hv The Rev Or Clarence
! True Wilson. general secretary of the
4 Church Temperance Society. that
William Jennings Bryan would de
/ liver am address on prohibition here
on May 90
The Roy. Dr Lyman AbhoS speak
ing' as the guest of the anniversary
of the BOARD Of Sunday Schools. as
serted before 5000 persons in Con
yeniion Han last night that il II
was the duty Of the United States
20 protect its citizens in Mexico II
had no right 10 fail TO perform that
duty
els h the duty of the United states.
me- inquired, TO protect its citizens al
sea, or arc VIC io tell them not tt
travel on the sea because one ma.
tion tells ihem not to do so? II ou
citizens have the right 10 travel on
ihc sea. IL should not bo considered
- % auesiion of self-interest, but o
ohligatiOn."