New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-26
THE0SOPHISTS MUST GO.
TWO MORE TEACHERS DISMISSED FROM
THE WILSON INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
PERSONAL REGRET EXPRESSED OVER OFFICIAL

PERSONAL REGRET EXPRESSED OVER OFFICIAL
ACTIoys-AN EXAMPLE OF INCONSISTENCY.
The question as to whether or not Thcosophis's
sbould be- allowed 10 teach in u Christian Mission
was definitely settled at the Wilson Industrial
School FRIDAY Several days ago letters
were mailed TO the members of the Board Oh
Governors most OF whom were away at the se'suc
or In the country At IL o'clock IN the H'o''"e
the members began to arrive at the Mission NJ NO
1875 ST. Marks Place and as soon as 'here WIS I"
quorum present the Board went INTO session
Among those present we're Miss Margaret Collins
Mrs. Edwin D. Jennings. Mrs. II. H. g. Sharpiess'
Mrs. f. Haght, Mrs A. p. Stone, Mrs. ohVer d.
Jennings. Mrs. n. W. Hurburt and Mrs. "ii"am
Scott Pyle. The Rev Daniel Kedmon' VINO Is
charged with having brought about the trouble, was
not present.
The session was noisy Mrs. Jennings VINO
Il an ardent Briggs enthusiast. and Mrs Stone. who
IA warm friend OF Miss Chaplin, were strongly
opposed to Diminishing teachers whose long service
had proved them to be faithful and competent anu
they kept up the fight for three hours. when vote
was taken. and It was decided TO dismiss Mrs. Arm
strong the matron, and Miss kirkwood. the sewing
teacher. "for holding Theosophical opinions Eut
"A both teachers were under contract nntl sep
tember l. 1T voted TO pay their salary IN lu up
10 TINT date When the meeting was over Mrs
Armstrong and Miss Kirkwood were Informed tha'
they should remain until July l, when the Mission
will close for the summer.
Several members Of the Board visited Miss krK
woods classroom and expressed their "pcrsohai
regrets that their official persOnages we're oohgeu
10 take such steps. Mrs. Sharpless came IN las'
With the official documents OF dismissal she ha"ueu
to Mrs. Armstrong and Miss kirkwood no'e am
then said goodby" In very Significant TONE
Miss Kirkwood implored not to give her le"er
to the newspapers and half consented after much
persuasion. Mrs. Armstrong. however, MADE no
such concession. She said she would give IL as
much publicity as possible. The communication
was as follows:
NV Dear Mrs. Armstrong; ,
The Board Is very sorry to lose your services
which are almost invaluable, but as Christian women
feel we cannot retain any one VINO NOUS i"e
Mrs. f. q. JANEwAl,
Secretary TO the Nrrd
= ONLY one teacher now remains at the Mission
three of the four having been found to be Theoso
phists The Mission will close It's doors on July J..
tbc first time II Is said that this has been done in
the forty wears that the Mission has nourshed
Tho servants have been informed that they VIII be
Sisn,ssed on that date, thus receiving only week
notice.
Miss Chaplin was a teacher at the Mission for ten
years AMI Miss Kirkwood has been there Tor -FOUR
teen years. Together with Mrs. Armstrong. these
three Theosophists have been practically the heart
and soul OF the school, meetings OF the Board Oh
Governors being necessary only for purposes OF
ofacial approval now and then. Miss Kirkwood Is
well known In mission circles. She Is the author
OF q sewing primer which has circulation OF H.
900 COPIES and IS the inventor OF sewing system
which has adopted by missionaries all over the
world. She is liberal contributor to various
Christian papers Her father was II scotch clergy
man.
The Wilson School has the financial support oil
many prominent New-York people Among those
whose contributions help to maintain the institution
are j.. Picrpont Morgan, Mrs samuel Sloan, y. ..
Hewitt Mrs. William NJ. Evars, Mrs. John {. Have
meyer and Mrs. Russell Sage. II Is evangelcai,
but procaims itself to be non-sectarlan Mrs.
Armstrong and Miss Krkwood are both members OF
Christian churches as we'll being Theosophists,
and they say the Mission can no longer claim to De
non-sectarian after such action. The strong point
made by both Is that they never In any way prop
sgated Theosophy at the Mission
allow people can caf such bigotry and per-
secution Christianity" said Mrs. Armstrong In an
interview yesterday. :" Is more than ] can under
stand. Chrst's teachings breathe nothing but an
insisted upon performing actions in the spirit Of the
Law, but the prosecutors OF TheOsophy want only
the letter Of the law. II Christianity was what The
directors of this mission proclaim II to he. would
know that the real Christianity Is something
grander than these people can conceive. and know
that Thcosophy has ra.sei my ideals and has
brought me to lead more Christian life than ever
before. SO | shall continue to consider myself a
Christian"
Miss Chaplin. who dismissed three weeks ago,
and who demanded her salary up to september l.
through her contract. has not yet received reply.
II Ii thought that she will receive her pay, however
as the other two teachers will.