The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-04-27
AN ABLE REPLY.
DR.. Anderson Administers q Sharp Lash
ing to Prof. Hopkins.

DR.. Anderson Administers q Sharp Lash
ing to Prof. Hopkins
To the Editor of the State Journal.
SIR-Mr. George E. Hopkins made a
fierce and uncalled for attack on me in
your paper of yesterday. 1t is not the
first time he has assaulted clergymen who
have differed with him in his views of
art Perhaps this may have something
to do with the languishing condition of
the school over which he has the honor
to preside
Permit me in reply to say:
I. That in last Sunday nights sermon
l made no reference whatever to art
2. "That humanity if not decency
would put overcoats on the figures on the
peristyle,' l deny having ever at any
time made such a statement
3. My sermon on the Worlds Fair was
preached last fall What l am reported
to have said about the nude figures in Lii
brary hall was uttered last winter. Prof.
Hopkins is late in the day rushing into
print am not surprised that your edI-
torial preface should try to bring him up
to date and lay them on 'last Sunday
nights sermon"
4 Prof. Hopkins has been attending
church since these things were said, and
his withdrawal is SO recent that 1t had
not been discovered
5. Prof. Hopkins says that Christ said
to naked children: ''Suffer the little chill
dren to come unto me- This will be
news to bible readers. The children of
Israel were dressed people, and their
extravaganza in this direction was often
condemned by the prophets Can the
professor point US to single naked jew
ish and bible character?
9. In what I said about the Worlds fair
exhibit 1 distinctly disclaimed the posi-
ton of art critic. l was disappointed
in not finding larger number of great,
eIevating, inspiring pictures Such pic
lures are too valuable to be taken from
their resting places and exposed to all
the riskof transportation and six months
exhibit
Z The last straw on the camel's back
seems to be what l am reported to have
said about the nude statuary in Library
hall That report has grown The re-
mark was made in meeting of the min
isterial union, where a number of the
city clergy are in the habit of assembling
for private conference and acquaint-
ance. These meetings are not intended
for the public, and the unpleasant pub
licity that is given to them is slowly de-
stroying them, as some OF the leading
pastors have ceased to attend. 1t is re-
ported that l will not allow my family to
go into Library hall. That is absolutely
untrue. say now what ! said in the
ministerial union, if those figures were
removed to the rear part of the room
they would not be Objectionable.
Prof. Hopkins thinks all who go into the
hall must endorse their presence and po-
sition near the stage. Let the professor
move them into any of our churches in
this city and stand them on the pulpit
platform, and there would be such
moving protest and moving congregation
as would indicate how many persons
feel. 1 often go to Library hall and
enjoy the privileges that are there
offered. 1t is a credit and honor to
our city, in which l as a citizen
take great pride, and l extend to the or
ganization and the managers my hearty
appreciation and cooperation in the re-
fining work which they are aiming to do.
The influence of that building upon our
community is untold
8. He says: 81 do not see how you can
consistently bring me before the session
for expulsion" Such thing has never
been thought Of This is dire artistic
idea without the shadow of a reality. If
he wishes to leave the church he will go
out as others do, and he knows where to
get his letter.
Prof. Hopkins admitted to me last
evening that many art students are led
into temptation and ruin by the nude in
art Respectfully yours,
A.