Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-11-15
Rev. Mr.. Cooke Bitterly
AssaiIs Prof. Mitchell.
Asks Dismissal from Boston Uni
versity Theological School.
Alleged That He Is Too Liberal in His
Teachings! /

Boston. Nov. li.-Prof HinckIcy
G. Mtccl of the Boston Universe
" School Of Theology. several times at
tackled for what his critics have called
his toe liberal teaching. is again as
sailed.
Rev. George A. Cooke, formerly of
West Medford. now pastor of the Meth-
odst Episcopal church In Milibury.
claiming TO represent considerable
number of the denomination who are
dissatisfied with the religious teachings
Of DR.. Mitchell, has sent an official
protest to the board of bishops of the.
Methodist Episcopal church now as
semblcd in Boston. asking that Dr.
Mitchell be dismissed from his profess
sOrShip.
He bra nds DR.. Mitchell's theories on
religion as atheistic and threatening;
the very foundations Of the Christian
church Of today. TO his teachings hei
asCribcs what he calls the dcmOralized
condition Of the New England confer
crce and terms his maintenance IN his
chair scandal upon the whole de-
nomination. He claims that DR.. Mitch
ell is running the faith and morals Of
the future pastors Of The church who
come under his instruction.
1t is generally understood that the
attack on Prof. Mitchell comes at this
time as his five-yea- contract with the
:;chool expires next spring. when he
will come up for reelection. If elected
by che trustees he will have to be in
dorsed by the bishops. who have the
power over all Theological school in
- y1,f tpt in, In fl..Ytn tt,1 HIM,
schools. 1t is this ratification that Rev.
Mr.. Cooke is seeking TO have denied.
Five wears ago Prof Mitchclrs reap
pointmert was bitterly opposed. and
several students left the school on his
account. After a long contest he was
confirmed by the board of bishops. but
only by majority of one
Tie opposition to Or. Mitchell has
not been confined to this locality. IN
Octobe~. 1901. his teachings were criti-
ciscd at a session Of the Methodist con-
ference held in Milwaukee. and again
IN January. t'O2, he was attacked ut a
Methodist conference in Philadelphia
Also last spring Rev. Harcourt w.
Peck. n member Of the southern Call
fornia conference. made an arraiGn-
mcnt Of his doctrines.
Rev. George A. Cooke last spring pre-
forrcd charges against Prof. Eowne m
the y. u. theological school. Ills pro
test to the bishops regarding Prof.
Mitchell follows. in part:
PROT. EinckIey G. Mitchell has re-
c"nily published book entitled The
World Before Abraham :. This book
c,nhof'ics his lectures and notes on the
PcH;a 'euvh. and is laugh, to his class
es in the Etj-ts:si university theological
school. | trust that tl.c book may re-
ocive your serious study at an early
date. in order that YOU may wisely de-
to:rnin" whether Prof. Mitchell ts a
safe person t" entI1ist with the great
responsibility Of preparing our MethO-
dist young men for The ministry Of tn.
hmch
"A careful ncrusal Of the book will
convince you:
II. That ne utterly ignores the posi-
ton Of DIR church as stated In Article
) "f the articles Of religion. which are
, part Of the constitution Of the church.
e. That he ridicules the idea Of the
teachings Of Jesus Christ and his apos-
tics as having any weight in matters
Of Biblical criticism.
-. That he utterly repudiates the
Ccoatinued on page ~