The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-04-12
SPURN ROCKEFELLER CASH
Congregational Ministers Oppose
Gift Of Standard Oil Money.
THEY RAISE A MORAL ISSUE

Missions to Decline Donation Because
John d. Rockefeller Stands Before
the Public For "Methods Which Are
Morally Ubiquitous"
Boston, Mass.-John D. Rockefeller's
money is not wanted by the Congrega-
tional ministers of New England. 1t
is. from their viewpoint. unholy. and
its use by the church is decried. This
vigorous indictment Of Standard Oirs
crimes is made in a protest filed with
the American Board Of Commissioners
for Foreign Missions against the &C.
ceptance by the board of a gift Of
500, 900 from Mr.. Rockefeller. The
protest was signed by a committee cho-
sen at a formal meeting of ciergymen,
and the strong sentiment CT this meet
ing is vigorously expressed in. the com-
munication.
"The Standard Oil Company, of
which Mr.. Rockefeller is the head"
says the protest, Stands before the
public under repeated and recent for
midable indictments in specific terms
for methods which are morally iniqui-
tous and socially destructive and that
"the acceptance Of such a gift involves
the constituents of the board in a re-
lation implying honor toward the do
nor and subjects the board to the
charge of ignoring the moral issues in
yolved. To arouse the moral reproba-
ton of the general conscience and to
direct it against specific offenses and
offenders is the supreme need Of the
hour. The church is the moral educa-
tor and leader Of the people, and in Or
der to fulfill this calling with freedom
and effect it must stand entirely clear
of any complication in the evil it is set
to condemn"
In conclusion the protest says:
1--WE, the undersigned, therefore pro-
test against any action by which our
church may even seem to be compro-
missed, and we plead with the officers
Of the board to decline the gift or to
return it if it has been accepted"
Among the signers are Daniel Evans,
Cambridge; Edward F. Sanderson,
Providence, r. l.; George II. Gutter
son, Derry. N. H.; N. Van Der Pyl,
M%arblehead, Mass; Ruen Thomas,
Brookline, and James s. Williamson,
Hayerhill.
When the committee appeared before
the Prudential Committee the minis
ters' protest was supported by the COM
mitteemen. by argument and state
ments of facts, and the action of the
American board was defended by sew
eral clergymen.
The discussion lasted over two hours.
and vt its conclusion the Prudential
Committee held an executive session.
At it's adjournment DR.. Barton made
this statement for the Prudential Com.
mittee:
"a memorial of protest regarding the
Rockefeller gift Of 100000 was pre-
sented to the committee by five gentle
men. and a lengthy discussion ensued.
The conference was most pleasant and
without any friction or harShness. The
whole matter was thoroughly and dis
~passionately debated on both sides
from the standpoint of principle as
we'll as policy.
The memorial will receive a full and
thorough consideration on the part Of
the Prudential Committee, which will
render its decision in due time"
The specific objects to which the
Rockefeller gift is to be applied are
five educational institutions in Japan,
Turkey, Bulgaria. India and Ceylon.
and the publication work Of the board
in Turkey.
If the commissioners heed the pro-
test it will put a religious organization
on record as against taking money
made by unjust monopoly, and it will
further act as q silent indictment OF
any body which hereafter accepts Mr..
Rockefeller's donations.
The Rev. James S. Williamson. Of
Haverhill, one CT the signers Of the
protest. made public the following
comment OIL the situation:
Mr.. Rockefeller in his social life.
among his friends and neighbors, may
be q very genial companion and an
able man. In the immediate circle of
his family he may be faithful. pure.
upright and loving. but Mr.. Rockefeller
is president Of a corporation which. in
it's business methods. stands con-
demned by the best thought Of the re-
public as an enemy of its life-in COM
mercial life an evil m~onstrOsity, in
civic life social dynamite.
Till he repents sufficiently of the
past. by either reforming or leaving
the said corporation. and making reSti-
tuition so far as that is possible, the
Christian church had better ask him
to keep his money. and all Of the con-
version of the heather abroad to tarry
till we can send the message Of light
and love by power not publicly con-
victed of crime.
The Standard Oil Company is con-
demned before the world as a danger
to the country. as a crusher Of competi-
ton. stepped in iniquity and indicted
before the eyes Of intelligent and free
thinking people. 1t is not the way OF
the Christian church to convert the
heather with money robbed from the
people. The Standard Oil Company is
so conspicuous before the people for its
corrupt methods that the money offered
cannot be considered clean, and if it is
soiled we do not want it."