The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-12
Criticism of professor Hail.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
In yesterdays issue Professor Hall comes
to the defense of his lecture. de-
livered 4 few days since In Terre
Haute. am glad. He puts himself on rec
ord. The public may judge now by the
testimony of the man himself whether the
criticisms passed on him and his ut-s-ances
were just and to the point. lie was criti-
cised as TO the substance Of his ;ectare lie
proposed to discuss the theology OF to-day.
In doing he pictured preachers grinding
out predestination and free grace .lnd dis.
cusstng the momentous question OF the RUM
Der OF angels who can dance on the paint OF
a needle. His critics said of these reJnaI ks
and others like them that .hey were g.Sss
carcatures; and they still Maintain - I'M
less the Professor can furnish living Illus
trations in sufficient numbers to prove them
in error. They were not af-aid lest these
carcatures might mislead young minds:
they were too overdrawn for that The dis
cussion had more serious thoughts. ard
these, as Dr. Hall conIesSes in his own
synopsis or the lecture, were intended TO
creed To the thought Of His critics they
did more; they played havoc with latin IL
Sef, and led away from old moorlngS With
out furnishing new and better Ores
Is 1t, then, any part OF the normal Crk
to bulid or destroy creeds and heir tyran-
ny! At this point the second criticism was
made, and II was GAINED the lecture was
out OF place. The normal exists Tor training
teachers; theology plays no part IN itE cur
riculum of studies. Inc school, as sirrcrt-
ed by all citizens, independent OF creeds, Is
possibility only as II lets creedS aione Its
basis is neutrality on controverted questions
of theology. The flag of theotoglc. truce
floats from it's building. Haul it down ard
education by the State is impossible. No
man will be taxed to sustain an institution
that destroys or weakens his faith. IT 1t be
argued that the lecture course IS not school
work, but by-play, so be 1t: but the play
ought to keep faith with the fundamental
PRINCIPLES. The management may answer
that NOBODY could tell in advance what the
lecturer would say. admit 1T. Neverthe-
less the theme was in itself doubtful. A
discussion on the theology of today Is
cludes rigidly a notice of evangelistc serv-
fees. [ believe heartily in the exclusion and
equally in the unfairness OF allowing the
oiogy, viewed by Professor Hall or any
other partisan, to obtain Il hearing.
Whether the more eminent minds of this
city support the lecture and its teachi..ss ana
the less eminent oppose them IS 4 Very trivi-
al affair. Truth stands on its cwr bass,
and a majority, vote. or the mere fact OF
overthrow 1t. Nor do we criticise With any
bigoted desire of silencing the Professor. lie
has the world before HIM. IL the Samari-
tans will not receive him, he mas the UNI
speakable privilege of going. as did his Mas
ter, into the next town. Only this: II man
is thraShing old straw he rlu st expect 10
hear of it; and they who know its age VIII
not likely let it pass among the ms aspect
ing for new. Moreover, when a nan speaks
in a State institution, and on ground strict
ly neutral he ought TO allow honor III moth
ing else, to restrain him from saying things
which cannot but wound the conscIences of
many. assailing creeds that are are, dear to
them. - ,. HOLM -,
Pastor First Baptist Church.
Terre Haute, Feb. IL.