Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-05-17

question:! retOrted MIR. RANKIN, as his
face grew redder than ever under the
excitement of the moment. "The chair
of political economy and history is not
the place for the discussion of religious
questions. The economic questions of
the mercantile world are separate and
apart from religion. You cannot mix
the two"
II know they very often are not mix.
ed in any great quantity" replied the
president calmly, "but | was of the
opinion that the world is just waking
up to the tremendous fact that all eco
nomic questions are in reality moral
questions and that to leave morality
and religion out Of the discussion Of
them is really to fail to discuss them at
all. If Professor Clark in his lectures
tain transactions in the mercantile
world are contrary to the moral laws
of Gods universe, then it seems to me
that he is teaching In the department
Of political economy just the truth that
has always needed to be taught, and If
1t had been taught by professors Of po-
litical economy years ago we might
have a different business world from
the one we have now"
II do not understand the matter as
you do at all. sir" replied Mr.. Rankin.
"and it Is no use to discuss it. Our fail
ure to agree in our correspondence
shows me plainly that we never can
agree in this interview. | understand
plainly that it Is your intention to do
nothing in the matter, or the board Of
trustees"
81 do not know what action the board
of trustees may take" replied the pres
ident slowly. "but |, for my part. shall
never attempt to interfere with Profess
or Clark as long as he teaches what he
is teaching now. ! may say, in fact.
that ! rejoice in the work he is doing,
and l shall uphold him in it for the
good of the students and the college
generally"
"Then the college can look to some
one else for funds to build up it's en-
dowment," replied Mr.. Rankin stlfly.
Il do not give cent to the institution
as long as the present method of in
struction is employed by the professor
of political economy. AS said be-
fore"-Mr. Rankin rose and moved
across the study-"l am not the only
man who feels this way. Hope college
will lose thousands Of dollars as long
as Clark Is allowed to teach his doc.
trines."
The president rose and stood calmly
by his desk. He looked thoughtfully
ut Rankin. but did not speak.
81 shall inform the trustees of my
determination. sir. 1t is possible they
may have different views from yours.
sir"
at is altogether possible they may"
said the president quietly.
Mr. Rankin had reached the door,
81 bid you good day, sir" he said
coldly and went out
The president remained standing for
n minute with look on his face that
Edward understood, in part at least.
In the intense stiffness that followed
Mr.. Rankins departure a good deal Of
thinking was going on in that little
room.
Finally the president broke the ST.
lence by saying:
"The time will come. Blake, when it
will not be believed that such a scene
as we have just witnessed could occur
in America. 1t is simply one mani
o., OP hnt
and may live to witness of the anger
and opposition reused by the greed Of
wealth and acquisition when brought
face TO face with the teachings Of
Jesus 1t is the same spirit that he
faced and rebuked in his own age when
he said. How hardly shall they that
trust in riches enter into the kingdom
of heaven"
Edward hesitated to ask any ques-
lions. but from his experience with the
president he had come to love him
more than he feared him. what effect
10 ask.
The president did not answer for q
little while. His face was very thought
full
ut depends on the attitude Of the
trustees. do not know how majori-
ty of them feel. know that some of
them will urge the need Of the money
at just this time In our history. OF
course it is public knowledge that the
college is very much embarrassed just
at present for funds. But what shall
we do, my boy, in the face of such a
situation as confronts US now? Shall
we yield to the demands of men Of
means who do not wish certain things
taught In college when that teaching
conflicts with the very methods which
have made possible the great wealth of
the men who object? There is great
principle at stake here. 1t Is the sacred
right of free and unrestrained speech
when that speech is perfectly right and
proper and imperatively needed for the
good Of an educated man. Professor
Clark is giving his class in political
economy exactly the ethical truths they
need to train them up in ways of
Christian integrity in business affairs.
That Is one Of tla things this collage