Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-17
lis Courteous Reply Of New
Haven Congregationa|ists.
To Brethren Protesting Against
the Rockefeller Gift.
Have Views Of Their Own in Opposite d.
rection and Plainly Express Them.

New Haven, CT. May 16.-In a letter
| acknowledging the .'cceipt from the
| committee of protesting ministers Of
documents bearing upon the recent ac-
ceptancc of the Rockefeller donation to
| the American Board of Commissioners
/ of Foreign Missions, the pastors of Con-
grcgational churches in New Haven
with the exception Of Rev. Artemus j.
Keynes. of the United church, have
Jointly given expression to their views
| in the matter.
The pastors i'm their letter say that
while reluctant to express their views
some extraordinary statements of the
professionals call for an answer. They de-
plore any unnecessary and harsh criti-
cisim of missionary societies. Further
| they say that they are among those
who have agreed to the acceptance of
the gift but have not. in anW dtclara-
| ton of their views, manifested what the
committee calls and tendency to
''palliate, excuse, eXculpate" anything
that may be shown to the wrong in the
business methods Of any corporation.
On>-the contrary, the pastors assert
they have not neglected suitable Oppor-
tunities of testifying against any double
standards of private and public morals,
or against any form of industrial Or
social evil regardless of what individ-
uals might be present in their cOngre
cations and without anxious thought
| of the possible Offense to the contrbu-
tors TO the treasures of our churches.
The letter. continuing. saying:
I'VE deeply regret that your commit
tee has published. and is scattering
broadcast such declarations as the fol-
lowing concerning the reply to you Of
the Prudential Committee. 'EXplana-
tons, evasions. excuses, legal bubbles
but not one sentence from beginning
| TO end that rings true and other words
which we forbnar to quote. In view of
your publication of such cha rgcs we are
called upon irrespective of your opin-
ions concerning the questions at issue
| to say that in our judgment, the reply
of the prudential committee is admir-
able in FORM Christian in its spirit. ana
in its reasoninss worthy IF respect for
its straightforward simplicity and it's
clear ethical tone, and we would eX-
press our continued confidence both in
tho equity and high horcrableness of
the judgments Of men who are held in
so great esteem among lis. as President
Capen. Secretary Barton and gentlemen
associated with them in the prudential
committee.
I'VE notice with regret the following
words: The courts can be bought: the
Legislatures can be bought; the church.
es can be bought; but the American
people cannot be bought Such unGuali-
| fed words under other circumstances
might be passed by without serious no.
tice: but when addressed by number
Of Congregational ministers to their
brethren they cannot be left unchal-
lenged. This statement. so sweeping in
| its condemnation Of our Legislatures.
so calcuminols of the judiciary. so I'M
just to our churches, we would reDudi-
ate as untrue in fact, and socially of
which in it's effect.
I'VE desire also exoressively to dis
avOW the assumption that by the ac-
ceptancc of such donations or by III
use Of any mans gift of that which is
lawfully his own, tho trustees of
charity enter into AN alliance with him
in his business. become yoke fellows
with him in wrong practices or in any
way compromise themselves with qucs-
tionable methods of corporations. We
wish dccisiv3ly to DENY your assumD-
tons that. while sustaining the actions
Of the American Board we are not as
free as we have always been in our
pUlpits to rebuke any wrongs that may
be expected in our economic system
We in turn must protest when you
insist that because of our customs or
principles concerning charitable contri-
buttons. we are not i'm sympathy with
the working people. and that our min
'Stry is become tho silenced witness of
any threatening social injustice. You
have no reasonable or moral right to
so judge US. We deprecate the continue
repetition Of all such assertions as mis-
leading the unchurched people and as
hurtful to the dearest interests of our
common Christianity.
I'VE would add in conclusion that in
our opinion one of the chief virtues
now needed for the elevation of bust
ness morals is the exercise of the in
tell1Sont discrimination and one of the
supreme duties of the church in regard
I" all questions of social ethics IS first
10 learn the facts and then to speak the
truth in love"
The letter is signed by the following
clergymen:
Newman Smyth. William w. McLane.
william J. Mulch, Frank r. Tuckey.
WATSON T. Phillips. George S. Prentiss.
William w. Leete, Thomas c. Mckay.
+. Lincoln Davis. Isaiah w. Sheath,
EDWARD F. Coin, Daniel J. Clark.