The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-29
QUESTION OF MONEY AND
MORALS

IFron the Washington Postl
A perplexing issue has been raised by
the protest against the acceptance by
the American board of commissioners
for foreign missions of 100000 offered
by John D. Rockefeller, to be used in
facilitating the spread of the Gospel in
foreign lands. Ministers all over the
country are taking sides on the ques-
ton, and the debate is white-hot as to
whether the board should accept this
money without reference to the source
from which it was derived or whether
it should reject the prefer uncondition-
ally and emphatically.
This question is as old as human
greed. 1t is that old proposition as to
whether tainted wealth. should be
used for the glory of God and the
spread of human enlightenment or
whether none but good money should
be used for such good purposes. Meth
er is the question new in connection
with Mr.. Rockefeller's donations. Sew
eral years ago a storm of discussion
was aroused by his donation of sum
of money to the University of Nebras-
ka- Col Bryan and other octopus
chasers took the position that Mr..
Roclkefeller's wealth had been secured
from his Standard Oil stock, and that
the Standard Oil was the leader. the
progenitor, OF all the tribe of trusts
that were fattening by wringing the
life blood from the people. The state of
Nebraska finally accepted the money,
but the ethics of the case are still be-
ing discussed. It is an indication that
society is becoming more and more I'M
easy as it faces the problem of dealing
with the big financial and Industrial
combinations of the country. 1t lends
some color to the contention of those
opposed to such gifts that money from
Mr.. Rockefeller and others of his class
when accepted by churches and colleges
tends to deaden the public conscience
toward methods employed in the ac-
emulation of this tainted" money.
We are convinced that it requires too
much straining of a point to distin-
quish between pure and impure money
when the purpose to which 1t is to be
devoted is cOmmendable. The fever
patient in India who receives soothing
medical treatment from an American
is not going to ask whether
IL was purchased with tainted money.
The workers in educational and relig- |
lOus causes in heather lands, where !
needs always far exceed means of
granting them. viii only be grateful for
the help received, whether it comes
from oil or railroads or bank robbery. |
The contribution Of the courtesan or
The gambler relieves the need in the
hospital or the pest-stricken tenement |
as readily as the money of the bishop |
or the church deacon. With the large
and ever increasing field for the en-
1loyment of money in the relief of suf-
-ering and the spread of education, re-
igion, and general enlightenment, we
suggest that churches and charitable |
would do well to meas
ire the good that may come from the
proper use of money against the purely /
sthical question of source of the money
70 be thus employed.
There is certainly no doubt that more
good can be accomplished by accepting
Mr. Roekefeller's money and devoting |
It to noble purposes than by refusing it
of disapproval of his methods
Of obtaining it.