Dempsey Rebuked

"Whereas, the Christian and Reformed Churches are campaigning to end prizefighting in California, and it is published that such an exhibition, led by a noted pugilist, is to be staged for the benefit of a Protestant church; resolved, that we disclaim any sympathy with such a benefit and protest the use of such demoralizing methods in the name of the Church of Christ."

In these harsh terms, 200 Methodist preachers in Los Angeles, Calif., protested the plan to have onetime heavyweight champion (1919-26) Jack Dempsey, box in an exhibition fight of which the receipts would be used to prevent foreclosure upon the Wilshire Boulevard Congregational Church.

Observers reflected that this action was in interesting contrast to that adopted by the official representatives of the Methodist Episcopal Church, meeting in Kansas City (see p. 26), who, a fortnight ago, invited a prizefighter to address their conference. The prizefighter was famed Jack Johnson, onetime (1908-15) heavyweight champion, in 1912 convicted of white slave trafficking, a month ago battered, by an unknown Negro, out of a prize ring, who said:

"I am absolutely against liquor because I do not feel it helps the human body. I am glad to tell you that I am past 50 and feel as well now as I did at 18. That comes from not drinking, not carousing, and getting a good night's rest.

"To serve God you must train your mind as well as your soul. Liquor and some other things deprave the mind and soul."