The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-16
WAS DIR. ANDREWS HUMOROUS ?

Rev. i. Benjamin Andrews ID. d.,
LII. d., president of Brown University,
opened the college yesterday forenoon
with readings from Scripture as we ho-
lieye. is oustomfy, and no selected the
familiar passages from the Sermon on
the Mount. among which the following;
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon
earth where moth and rust do corrupt, and
where thieves break through and steal;
But lay mp for yourselves treasures in
heaven, whore neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break
| through and steal:
For where your treasure is tnere wis<
| your heart be also.
"But IL thine eye be- evil, thy whole body
shall be full ot darkness. H. therefore, tho
| light that ia in thee be darkness, how great
is that darkness.
| "No man can serve two masters; for either
he will hate the one and love the other, or
else he will hold 20 tie one and dospise the
| other Ye cannot serve q ID and Mammon.
The News young man who reported tine
| proceedings stated on his own authority.
we suppose, that" Thore vas humor in the
selection"
! Indeed, one neod no. bo charged with
| impioty or careless attitude toward
| things sacred, 20 regard the selection maco
! by the reverend president Of Brown as
| distinctly suggestive, in view Of the
recent controversy, il not actually bit
Of humor
And, moreover the gathering in chapel
| Of college men that listened to the read
! ing OF tho passages from the Sermon on
| the Mount expressed themselves in n
/ way 20 indicate that our reporter was
not alone in regarding the reverend
presidents selection rs bit OF humor.
! For it WAS further recorded in The News
report Of the event that applause was
| the response TO the reading of the lesson. T"
We do not think 1t likely that when the
| Sermon on the Mount was delivered by
tho Great Preacher, that the congregation
applauded, though IL Is barely possible
that IL did. But at any rate we never
heard Of suon Rreyting of these noble
passages by Christian congregation in
our time.
So far as our reporter was led TO view
tho aptness of tho selection of Scripture
made by the reverend president. not ouly
I was bo supported bv the significance Of
the applause and thus figured as vera
cious reporter rather than ohronicler Of
his own personal opinions but the re-
porter of tho Telegram present was like
wise struck with the thought that tho
Scripture lesson was exceedingly peril.
nent" and Every suggestive of his atti-
tude -
Now, ID can but occur 10 the serious
minded to inquire. did Rev. DR.. An
drews. president OF Brown University,
design that his Scripture readings
should bo humoIousY That hc rec
ognized the suggestiveness of his
selections. there can be no manner of
doubt. But did he look for applause?
Did he expect, perhaps, laughter? Did he,
plainly propose to rave frolic with one
of tho most impressive selections to be
found In all Scripture? Did he, with
grim humor prsronse. dosien a fanciful
| application of Chrlst's Sermon on the
| Mount to his own estate? President An
! drews has been accused Of bad taste in
his speech and writings but is he equally
amenable 20 the charge in his dealings
with Scripture?
IL is TO be hored not. 1t is TO be hoped
that the applause Of tho gathering in
chapel and the idea that struck the re.
portcrs were equally ont of order ana mis-
applied. Sometimes the minds Of con-
perverted and net responsible to clearer
Judgment and wholesome recognition
of the things they hear.
In word. IL is trusted that Rev. DI.
Andrews did not intend to be flippant at
the expenso OF the Sermon on the Monnt.