New-York tribune., 1919-03-19
Methodists Oppose
DIR. Wards Writings
In Sunday Lessons
Hundreds of Letters Are Re.
ceived by Book Concern
Protesting Against His
Attitude on BoIshevism

The Rev. Harry r. Ward, professor
of Christian ethics in Union Theologi
cal Seminary, by his treatment of Boil
shcvlsm IN his "Social Service Bull
letin,' issued by the Methodist Fcder-
atlon for Social Service, has aroused a
storm Of criticism among his brother
ministers that shows no signs of
abatement.
Professor Ward is scheduled to speak
on the Russian situation at the weekly
preachers meeting at the Methodist
BOOK Concern on Monday next. 1t is
I .ne Intention of several clergymen to
MT ;Bolshevism hard at the meeting.
The Methodist Book Concern ha,
taken cognizance of DR.. Wards lean
lngs toward Bolshevism The pub
lishers of the Sunday School Graded
Lessons have advised the elimination
OF Professor Wards writings from that
course of study.
Resolutions of Condemnation
The Philadelphia Methodist Confer
ehce, now in session, adopted a resolu
tion condemning the officers of the
methodist Federation for Social Ser
vice TOR permitting alleged Bolshevik
ueterances by its secretary, Professor
ward. This resolution of condemna-
ton is aimed at some of the most dis
tlngulshed men in Methodism, the of
hcers OF the federation being: Presi-
dent, bishop f. j. Mcconnell, of Den
yer; vlce-president, Bishop Herbert
Welch, of Corea; recording secretary.
Professor H. F. Rail, of Evanston:
treasurer, F. c. Ebinger, of Chicago.
The Methodist preachers in Wash
ington, D. c., at meeting last week
in a resolution, said: "We deplore
the presumption of the secretary of
the Federation for Social Service in
giving out sorcalled Conclusions which
are utterly at variance with the testi-
mony of the men who have come face
to face with Bolshevism and it's atroc-
tiles in Russia"
DR. James r. Joy, editor of the
Christian Advocate, official paper of
the denomination, whose Office at 150
Fifth Avenue, in the Book Concern.
is on the same floor with that of Pro
fessor Ward, refers to Professor
Wards Social Service Bulletin" as a
publication issued by an authorized
Methodist agency, sent out TO leaders
of Methodist opinion, with Che unmis-
taxable aim of making America safe
for Bolshevism."
DR.. joys editorial dealing with
Professor Wards bulletin on Bolshe-
Vism, says:
mo one is sufficient to the task of
solving, or even understanding, the
Russian question at the present time
quarter. But source which, while
processing to give enlightenment, pro-
ceeds to darken counsel with ingeni-
ously chosen words ana to ambush and
outfiank forseen objections by means
of evasions and halftruths, is worse
than no light at all. This
bulletin bears the indelible marks of
one who has surrendered his mind and
heart to the fundamental idea of Boil
shevism and who desires to see it
displace the foundations upon which
the American nation is built"
Letters Are Touring In
Letters by the hundred are being
received by the Methodist Book Con-
Germ, protesting against any kindly
leaning on the part of Dr.. Ward or
any other Methodist minister toward
Bolshevism. The Rev. DR.. David G.
Downey, book editor of the book con-
cern, when asked yesterday about Pro-
fessor Wards attitude toward Boil
shevism, said:
81 am not in sympathy with the
views expressed by DR.. Ward, and 7
feel that he should not have commit
ted the Federation for Social Service
to any policy without first taking the
mind of the federation"
"Professor Ward is wrong-egregi-
ously wrong" said the Rev. Saul o.
Curtice, prominent member of the
New York East Conference. "Metho-
dists will not support him in his de-
fence of Bolshevism. The last Cen
eral Conference refused to sanction his
extreme views on labor unionism and
his attitude on the Russian question
carries him out of bounds."'
Sentiment among DIR. Wards stu
gave lectures yesterday at the seminary
and at Teachers College. In each
class room as he entered he was
cheered loud and long