Tacoma Methodists Refuse Theater Money for a Children's Home

TACOMA, June 17.—There is trouble in store for Col. W. J. Fife and his company of amateurs who are to produce "Richelieu" at the Ninth Street Theater tomorrow and Wednesday evenings. It was announced the receipts from the performances were to be given to the Crown Jewel Home at Winlock. Now the Methodists come forward and say they don't want the money because they are opposed to theaters. The annual convention of the Puget Sound conference, Epworth, will open at the First Methodist Church tomorrow evening. It is announced that the convention proposes to reject the overtures of the Fife Dramatic Company to present the receipts from the production of "Richelieu." Rev. G. H. Feese, pastor of the Epworth Church, today said that it was almost certain that strong resolutions would be passed by the convention this evening condemning the proceedings and recommending that the trustees and superintendent of the home be instructed not to receive the money raised by the production of the drama, and also advising members of the Methodist Church and especially members of the Epworth League not to attend it. "This will be done," said he, "on the general principle that the Methodist Church is against theaters. They can get up any play they wish to and give the money to whom they please, but we will not aid it. Some seem to have the idea that the convention would adjourn on the evenings when the drama will be produced to attend it. Of course such people do not understand or appreciate the Methodists. The inconsistency is that our church is against theaters, and here is money passing into our coffers directly from a theater and beneath the very noses of young people who have been trained to avoid them." He also said that Dr. J. P. Marlatt, of the First Methodist Church, was averse to the church's receiving the money. Rev. Mr. Feese preached a sermon upon the subject yesterday from his pulpit at the Epworth Church. He took a decided stand upon the subject, and strongly urged the members of the church to have nothing to do with the play because it was announced as being for the interest of an institution of the Methodist Church. He maintained that as the church was opposed to theaters, and regarded them as institutions that destroy spirituality, it could not compromise itself by accepting any funds raised from a theater. At the afternoon sermon John W. Perry, superintendent of the Sunday school, strongly urged the children not to attend. Rev. Mr. Feese said today that Rev. W. H. Wilson, who is at the head of the Crown Jewel Home, was in this city two months ago and gave a talk at the Epworth Church on the work of the home. He received a contribution from the congregation and a promise from it that an entertainment of a literary character would be given, the proceeds of which would go to the home. The Fife club then proposed to give the entertainment.