The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-05
Earlham College.


To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal
The trouble at Earlham College still causes
much bitterness among the students, and is
much talked about by the citizens. The students
are indignant that the two most popular pro
fessors should be asked to resign just as the
future outlook Of the college seems to promise
better pay than the meager salaries they have
been receiving. The professors themselves are
surprised and hurt because they have never re
ceived anything but praise from the board of
managers for their faithful services, and have
even had assurances from members of the board
and even from Mr.. NIls-that they should
share in any improvement of the college
finances.
The professors are very popular. Said a stu
dent to the writer: professor McTaggarts
presence is aninspiration, while Professor Pear
sons social qualities and quick sympathy with
those in trouble, Joined to his rare attachments
and skill teacher, have made him the idol of
the students.
The feeling among the students has been in
tensified by learning that DR.. Dougan Clark of
this city, has been offered permanent profess
sorship of Latin and Greek This seems to sup
ply reason for the removal of Professor Nc
Taggart. 1t is to add one more preacher to the
college faculty, and thus secure his services as a
munster 10 one OF ttlS iN1ClnOnu meetings Nltil-
out drawing on the congregation for his support
As there are already four ministers on the col
lege faculty for next year the young people of
the society resent this new move as implying
that i'll the future places of profit
in the society shall be open to
any but ministers. 1t is well known
too, that DIR. Clark has publicly declared that
denomiuational schools have no right to exist,
except rs places for the conversion of sinners
for the public school can give better instruction
in all branches of learning at less cost than sec
tartan schools
His appointment, therefore, will be the sur
render of the college into the hands of those who
desire it to be made permanent camp meeting
Formerly the society recognized diversity of
gifts, among which gift of teaching was no less
honorable than ii gift in the ministry.
The appointment Of five ministers on the fac
ulty for next year is a wide departure from for
mer practice, and implies that the gift Of the
ministry has swallowed up all other gifts. But
it is patent to all thatone who waits on his min
istry is not one who can give all his time and
ergy to teaching.
The students now in the college see this
clearly, and quite a number of them expect to
withdraw at the end of the present year and
complete their studies at Ann Arbor, Yale and
Harvard
They are making an earnest protest to the
board of managers to undo what seems to them
not mistake only, but great injustice.
1t is authoritatively stated that Mr.. Mills had
nothing to do with the dismissal of McTaggart
and Pearson, but as it is well known that he was
invited to assist in forming the faculty for next
year, he must rest under the imputation of hay
ing sanctioned the act, else be considered as
possessing too small influence with the board to
do much towards shaping the future course of
the college. JOHN MORGAN.
PLAINFIELD, Ind.