Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-05-16
CHAPTER v.


"You understand my views perfectly
well on the matter of Professor Clark's
teaching" began Mr.. Rankin, after O
pause. during which he made some
what successful attempt to calm him
self.
"Yes. l think do. If your last letter
to me expresses exactly your views"
ut expresses them just as l want.
Your answer to that letter Is my ex-
cuse for this personal visit. under
stand from your reply that probably
nothing will be done to modify or re-
strict Professor Clark's teaching in his
department. Do l understand you cor
rectly"
you do. SIR" replied the president
quietly.
"Then Of course you understand
what | shall do"
"Wait minute" exclaimed the pres
ident, while the light in his eye fash
ed IN that same way that Edward had
noted before LET us face the situa-
ton just as it really is. Professor
Clark has been teaching in Hope col
lege now for five years. His depart
ment Of political economy and history
has attracted students from other
states. He has, to the best OF my
knowledge, been teaching in his de-
partment the very truths that young
men and women in Christian college
ought to know. OF late he has begun
q series of lectures on the moral as
pect of economic questions. He has
begun to apply the principles Of the
sermon on the mount and the golden
rule to business methods and be has
cited certain specific kinds Of business
that do not square with the teachings
Of the Bible. Now, sir, as under
stand your objection. one Of the kinds
of business cited by Professor Clark
happens to be the kind that you are
engaged in. and unfortunately it does
not happen to square with the golden
rule in every particular. and you want
the college through its president and
board of trustees to advise Professor
Clark to modify his lectures or even
cease them altogether because they
are offensive to certain men who have
been financial friends Of the college.
You have even gone so far in your cor
respondence with me as to threaten to
withhold bequest to the college I'M
less these lectures of Professor Clark
are discontinued or modified. Am !
right in my statement Of the facts?
ut is your way of putting it" ex.
claimed Mr.. Rankin, with growing ex-
element. professor Clark Is teach
ing partisan doctrines in the class
! room. They are the same doctrines
that are being advocated by the"-
"But. sir" interrupted the president,
"Professor Clark has done nothing but
apply the teachings Of the Bible to
modern business life. IL the result
happens to tally with one or two Of the
party doctrines you mention, Is that
his fault?"
81 say he has no right to be teaching
such stuff in college That Is not what
he was appointed to do. 1t is none Of
his business to pry into the methods
of my business. Shall l allow my son
to sit in a classroom and listen to
professor who calls me in SO many
words q liar and thief in my busi-
ness methods"
Il didn't know that Professor Clark
had ever mentioned your name in the
classroom" remarked the president
mildly. The angrier Mr.. Rankin grew
the calmer the head of the college con-
tinued to be.
HE might as we'll. The teaching Is
an insult to every student that does
any thinking. The department of po-
litical economy is not the place for
partisan or religious instruction. There
are a good many others who feel just
ns do. President Royce, you are
provoking storm of protest from all
quarters that will prove disastrous
TO the welfare of the college. | am not
alone in this matter. There are good
many men who have heretofore helped
the college financially who will not
give it a cent in the future until the
teaching in the department of political
economy is different FROM what it now
4 u.s."
I "Will YOU answer me one question.
Mr.. Rankiu?' the president asked
after a pause. while Edward, as much
excited in his way as Mr. Rankin was
in his, turned over leaf and waited
for the next word.
do you candidly think that Pro-
fessor Clark has been right in his con-
illusions as to the moral aspect OF GER
tain business methods? Entirely aside
from the question as to his right to
advocate such teachings in his depart
ment, is the teaching itself true? do
the methods of the business firms that
he mentions in his lecture square with
the sermon on the mount and the
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TO BE CONTINUED