The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-02-23
PEARSON QUITS HIS Posr.
Resigns From the University and
Renounces Methodism.
lChicago Tribune.

NnlcdSo IrlDune.)
Professor Charles W. Pearson has re-
signed from the faculty Of Northwestern
university and withdrawn his member
sElp from the First Methodist church
or Evanston. His action followed an
/ unofhcial notification that-the commit
lee OF trustees appointed to investigate
his case had decided his resigna tion
would be asked for.
knew that I would be asked to
leave the university, and thought it
was best for me TO resign during the
semester vacation" he said. while no
ornciai report was made. learned that
the committee Of three had decided to
request my resignation. 1t becomes
evident that I was not wanted. and
nothing was left me but 10 leave the
university.
The professor announced that he had
given UP teaching, and would become a
lecturer upon the subject of Biblical
miracles. He has received offers from
three lecture bureaus, and viii sign
one Of them in a few weeks. Al the
! same time he expects TO leave Evans
ton
Although he secured d letter Of dis
missal from the First Methodist church
OF Evanston and technically is free to
Join any other Methodist church.
Professor Pearson says he has re-
nounced his connection with Method
ism forever, and will allow the letter
to expire. He called upon the church
authorities yesterday morning and ex-
pressed his desire 10 withdraw from
the congregation. The letter of dis
missal was given to him ten minutes
later.
Professor Pearson's resignation was
n Of
ecutiVe committee of the board Of
trustees of Northwestern university al
the home of William A. Dyche, Evans
ton. Tuesday night. The session lasted
until after midnight, and the professor
was called in early. After stating MS
position as he saw it, he gave the com
mittee the following letter Of resigna-
ton:
I hereby tender my resignation as
professor of English literature in
Northwestern university. With the
kindest feeling toward you all and best
wishes for the future welfare of the
institution to which / have given so
many years of service, am, very re-
spectfully yours,
&C. W. PEARSON"
The resignation will take effect as
soon as arrangements can be made TO
secure someone to take the chair OF
English literature in the university.
The professors salary will continue
until Jan. l. 1903
Il do not think that I will enter
class room again." Professor Pearson
said last night. My position viii prob
ably be filed. temporarily at least, at
the opening of the second semester next
week. 1 viii spend my time in prepar-
alton of my lectures
n
successor to Professor Pearson" Dr.
Daniel Bonbright, acting president of
the university. said.
The committee, consisting of DR..
Robert D. Sheppard. Dr.. Daniel Bon
bright and Nj. H. Wilson, which was
appointed to investigate the case Of
Professor Pearson, and decided that his
resignation should be asked for. did not
make an official report to the trustees.
Dr. Bonbright resigned from it because
of his long friendship with Professor
pearson and his desire not to act con-
trary TO the wishes of the trustees.
The incident which led to the resig-
nation of Professor Pearson took. pIace
on Jan. u. On that day he made
known the contents of a paper entitled.
open Inspiration Versus a Closed
Canon and Infallible Bible" The ma
per was written in answer to the query
propounded by the Rev Mr. Macaffee.
ON what basis can Christians unite
Tor aggressive action?" 1t created an
uproar in Northwestern university as
vel. as in the Methodist church. Pro
fessor Pearson was denounced in many
quarters and his belief generally at
tackled. subsequently he gave express
sion to views denying the divinity o.
Christ, which practically covered the
Unitarian belief.