New-York tribune., 1918-03-12
Methodist Bishop
Urges Strong War
Policy for Church
Members Must Appreciate
Responsibilities, Confer
ence Is Told

ATLANTIC CITY. March 1.-THE
morale of the Methodist Episcopal
Church must be strengthened It's peo-
pie must learn why they are in the
war and why they should be determined
to carry it through to the end, if they
are to be victorious in the conflict, ac-
cordng to Bishop Henderson, of De-
troit, who made the closing address at
the Methodist Episcopal Conference OF
Now Jersey helc to-day.
Bishop Henderson said that the
Church has rot yet awakened to its re-
sponsibilities and that in order to ac-
complsh this awakening patriotic ser
vices, talks and celebrations would be
held during the month Of May in the
body all over the country, eliminating
in a, nation wide "win-the-war" dem
onstration on Decoration Oay
Bishop Henderson was bitter in his
attack upon the striking shipworkers
who are holding up United States ton
mage. urgently needed for the men
overseas, while they settle their wage
disputes.
Same as Soldiers, He Says
Men who are striking in the ship
yards" said he, "are as liable as if they
were striking in the trenches. If the
soldiers, chautf eurs or any other men
went on strike at the from. they would
not be tolerated five minutes. What is
good for the soldiers is good for the
carpenters, plumbers, river3rs or any
other OF the workers concerned in . e
present strike al the shipyards.'
Bishop Henderson termed it "a Per
feet tragedy that the Christian Church
has been so slow in realizing its re-
sponsibilitics.
'1f we are weakening in this fight,
he continued, eve are licked now, and
be the month of universal patriotic
demonstrations revival of patriot
ism throughout the United States. Tell
the people why we are in the war and
what the duty Of each one is. On this
coming Memorial Sunday, in a sense
we shall forget the Civil War and in
terpret the new conflict"
The speaker also urged that Meth
odists take better care of their chap
lains in the army and display more in
terest in the work they are trying to
accomplish. although in many cases
badly hampered by lack of funds. !.
"one Of the members Of the Pres-
dents Cabinet" he said, "told me re-
Gently that if the Methodists carry out
anywhere near the programme they
have mapped out. fully a quarter Of a
million men will be saved along the
Western front.
"It is up to every minister to preach
militant Christianity and emphasize
Mem orial Sunday with a special offer
inss for the war and, asking each mem
Der Of his congregation to subscribe an
amount equal to his income on the pre-
ceding Friday"
Methodists have not done their duty
to the nation if they stop even there,
according to the Bishop.
"Wc are close to the Department Of
Justice" he said. "and each Of you
should Immediately get in touch with
our war council should You find any
body of pro- German tendencies in your
community. Let us locate, eliminate
and exterminate every pro- German in
this country.
"You must encourage war gardening
and teach your people that it is just
as important to raise beans as it is to
raise bullets"
The conference, before it adjourned
voted to meet next year in st. Paul's
Church, iii Ocean Grove.