METHODISTS AND BOXDERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13808, 20 January 1909, Page 3

METHODISTS AND BOXDERS.

JOHNSON'S AMUSING CHATTER

Jack Johnson, the' world's boxing .champion, nas expressed his views relative to the ethics of lus profession.

"Since 1 boat iiurns," lie observed, " the people oi New South Wales have suuuemy taKen a great dislike to me. Though* he got a, great walloping, jiunis is more popular here than i am, and all because,he docs what you Australians: call the -penitent smoodge," , However, 1 never expected to find sympathy ' here, as my colour is agaiust me. When distressed by criticism of tins sort i simply turn up one or two of my favourite books, shakespeare s 'Titus Andronious.' Bimyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress,' or Milton's ' Paradise i Jjost,' and there I tind plenty of consolation to soothe away any irritation. You may be. surprised that I should 1 turn to literary work when annoyed instead of seeking sympathy from the Church to which I belong. Of course you know 1 am a Methodist, and our Church'is regarded as second to none a'uywhore in America —or in the world. It is the world's champion Church. When I arrived here in Sydney first of all I expected to be well looked after by my fellow-religionists in Sydney. Viell, do you believe it, not one of the Methodists even called on mc> ! At first I resented this very much, and 1 fretted a lot, so that.my uianagsr had fears lest 1 should go back in riy teaming. However, a week or so convinced me that the Methodists over here are quite a different crowd from what I have been accustomed to, and 1 feel glad now I had brains oi,ough to find consolation u jfcfd"g <, ff-w chapters of 'Pilgrim's Progifb-, instead of publicly rebuking the sect to which I belong. the conduct of the local Methoiists in :>.ot i- viting me to church, there is .iota ilrglo cue, so far as I'can learn, who sign:'tjod his intention of witnessiug x.ic light. In America whenever 1 I.:id a «'»; I, I could always count i a ; -d si i-pbrt from my denomination. lioMeier. I aui not going to be n.isty a' cut Sidney's people. The majority of you are all right: but as 1 am a de.-c..;ndaiit of Ham, I must bear your ic-.i. inches because J beat a white man. Could any Christiau nation have extended a rvore inhospitable welcome' to a victor in a. great contest•? When 1 won,, I fully expected to be feted. That was my 'due. In return I was prepared to spar with local champions, recite, play the piauo, guitar, or other instrument in aid of local charities or churches. However, you spurned me. Depend upon it, I shall report to the American people how I. was treated here, not only by the people, but by the Methodist bodv to which I belong. The. Kev. W. G. Taylor, of the Central Mission, seen in reference to Johnsou's statements, said he had no idea that Johnson was a member of the Methodist Church. He was not debarred from attending the services of the church. In fact, he believed that the world's champion, shortly after his arrival, did put in appearance once, and was seen engaged in earnest prayer. Asked if it was a fact that MiJohnson was not welcomed on arrival Mr Taylor said: "Certainly not. How were we to know that he was a Methodist at all? Every Methodist when he leaves one place gets a letter, which he presents at the next place he visits. Johnson did not present his credentials to us, and wc took no more notice ol him than of any other stranger, but did not draw the colour line at all. "We have men of many colours'in our church. There is no comparison between our treatment of Johnson and the Soman Catholic treatment of Hums. We do not support prize fights. None of our people do. You can say, however, that there is absolutely no class or colour distinction in our Church, and I think the Methodist body here is quite the same as in America.''