Show METHODIST CHURCH CHURCH BARS ACTORS ALSO 1 Bishop Calls Calls- Equity Inquiry Affront ATLANTIC CITY N N. J J J. Dec l 11 The The theatrical profession falls taIls under the same ban an as dancing masters and are undesirable undesirable unde- unde for membership in the Methodist Episcopal church asserted Bishop Joseph Josephr JosephF F r Berr Berry presiding here at the semiannual semiannual semi semiannual semi semi- annual meeting of the House of or Bishops commenting upon a communication re received received re- re from the Actors Actors' Equity association association tion lon of f New York which asked ed whether the he recent edict barring dancing Instructors instructors in inductors In- In applied to the amusement profession profession pro pro- in iii general Da Dancing and theatregoing are placed d dIn In n the same category as games of chance and both of them are specifically prohibited pro pro- Inasmuch as ns we prohibit these Iniquities we could scarcely be expected to o admit to m membership those who are I responsible for their promotion Bishop Barry declared The Actors' Actors Equity association in a a communication signed by Frank Gilmore executive secretary expressed resentment resentment resentment resent ment at the bishops bishop's action in barring billing dancing masters Doe this l ban an apply to all professional dancers including those on the stage Are folks in the theatrical profession equally equall barred from your jour valued val val- valued membership the communication asks It adds Dancing masters are our brothers and sisters in the amusement profession hence injustice done them is also re resented resented resented re- re by those of ot the stage In the name of the theatrical l profession as as as' aswell well as speaking ing for the dancing masters o of the country the Actors' Actors Equity association reiterates its indignation at what can only only- be term termed d' d as a Pharisaic attitude on on n the part of an any Christian denomination tion Bishop p Berry said h he considered the com communication an affront I The paper has has received only silent contempt ass asserted Bishop Berry No attention whatever has been paid to these people If they are sane they give n no evidence nce of or it by any of their public declarations The fact that hey would address a communication of this nature I to a body like the house of bishops of or I the Methodist Episcopal church would be beI regarded as very ery very strong evidence if it an I effort was made to prove a case case of or insanity Insanity In In- Insanity sanity I We Ve desire neither advice nor dictation from such it I. a source Our silence upon the matter is the best evidence of the contempt with which we regard the al alleged alleged alleged al- al communication I doubt if ir there is isa isa a a- dancing master or actor anywhere inthe inthe in inthe the world who is a member of or the Methodist Methodist Methodist Meth Meth- odist Episcopal church We Ye regard the institutions with which they are identified identified identified fied as directly Inimical to the Christian life and no dancing lancing master or actor could get It without very sincere repentance repent repent- ance |