New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-02
MR. ROCKEFELLER'S GIFT.
Thoughts Suggested by the Sermon
of DR.. Washington GLADDEN..
IA - Eaitor of T.he Tribune.


To the Editor Of The Tribune
sr: Errors OF fact and perversons Of truth are
oftsn Joined together in expressions Of Ignorance
- ,resn5ice ana Of malice Charlatans. pretending
70 be teachers and reformers, multiply around US
every day and fructify with poison the nelos OF
discussion. Demagogues are ever busy IN ponucS'
UarRinE their tongues Of scandal, and, too Often
,beI- counterparts infest the temples Of religion
where the Injunction Judge not lest We be 1udgeo
ts yldev violated. Neither the forum nor the pull
nit can wholly escape these rapacious inuudeFs'
a fresh consciousness Of these facts has been
awakened by the Geographic report OF sermon
6sl,vsred on the 18th instant by the Rev Dr. WASH
tnrton Gladden. pastor OF the First Congregational
church OF Columbus Ohio. and Moderator OF me
General Council OF Congregational Churches OF the
T-nited States who discussing the gift OF Sl"eV50
made by John D. Rockefeller to the AIliel -
board OF Commissioners OF Foreign missions Salu'
among other things equally offensive;
The money prOrered to our board Of missions s0s
eoeS IA IN the most relentless rapacity known to
modern commercial history the success has o. bea6
IIsTrsI1- due 10 unlawful manipulation OF raIlWay
rates ne s+TenTous EFFORT to ferret and punish
sbfs 5n;uetice and the people OF the United states
ToTste greed which has intrenched itself in this
stronghold and has learned TO 6se me A1
NV "a the eve OF this battle, they are asked TO &C
Completely than any other represents the system
they are summoned 70 night ~, " e 90 nov ~t tl
TINS man ~ millions Of honest men: reject it
viii strengthen our enureheS IN , mi 10 dob1
1Tbstber the Churches love God more than Mammon
=. tps- With it. and we shall lose nothing by our
loyalty 20 the things unseen ana eternal
These utterances make superfuous all personal
or3,icisrn OF their author. Ample commentary upon
ne character Is supplied by the spirit and purpose
- the sermon itself. Dr.. GLADDEN. is obviously a
disciple Of Karl Marx, who assumed that AL cap
ital Is robbery"-and he may be honest in this
mcmillan belief which takes its tone from the
15,oe,,norssi sizes Of the body; but his connection
;r+ di,ne things neither excuses love Of scandal
nor 1ustihes a perversion Of facts. An enlarged
estimate Of himself should not prevent just esu-
mate Of others
Having waited TO perceive the popular effect Of
Dr. Gladden's rejection Of Mr. Rockefeller's prof
gerea aid 70 the American Board. allow me to sug-
gest several thoughts which, If they fail 10 as
suags that sense Of humiliation which the gener-
Gus capitalist has possibly felt, may yet alIay
somewhat the painful surprise which the orator
gave his hearers. There are many enlightened
Americans who do not regard Mr.. Rockefeller as
either q violator Of law a despoer OF his race.
and though q stranger 10 the famous millionaire
and in no sense beneficiary desire TO emphasize
that view based, IL is. upon such plain sources
Of information as may be reached by every sensible
man who appreciates the history Of current aTIalrs
IsinR the prestige of his high Office, DR.. GLADDEN.
seems TO magnify his own virtues at the expense OF
Mr. Rockefeller. heaping eXecrations on the great
business which he leads. and assailing the in
teErity Of Mr.. Rockefeller himself And why! The
readiest and truest answer is found IN that tralt
which often inspires ones envy OF his nelghoors
success The appeal is 70 prejudice 1t Is an as
sault upon associated capital engaged in an enter
prise which no single person could either start or
develop much less maintain. in its muuIarious
proportions. That great enterprise has aInassed
large wealth for cooperating leaders, but II has
likewise contributed with liberal hand to the COM
fort OF the public, the relief OF distress 70 the
happiness Of communities and TO the spread Of civ
fization wherever its potent agencies are KNOWN
The scientific discoveries made. the mechanical eX-
,edienrs used and the business methods devised for
the production OF Illuminating oils since 1870. when
the Standard Oh Company Was formed at CleVe-
lana with less than 100000 OF capital, have
brought into requistion the learning OF great
ecbolars tested the genius Of famous inventors.
multiplied opportunities for honest toll increased
beyond measure the conveniences OF rural homes
and W1thal made necessary the expenditure OF
many millions OF money involving risks common
gurste with the investment, but finally yielding
suits which constitute Incalculaols blessing to
the world
As one OF the unpretending masses venture TO
~ thar il Inc Standard Oh Company, the legtu-
80 outerov-th OF associated capital. with its
commemorative system OF manufacturing, purifying
,rarenorting and distributing Illuminating oil at
Low, cost 10 innuulerable consumers couo De n
stanty obliterated by s sgiI pas To ebt be
Throughout the limits Of America the humble poor
would ~ death suddeniy Visiting ali their quiet
me ZINES with blight 1t would obstruct numerous
nolillSL5Iioe activities II would be ike banishing
etlUos and dsmssing electricity from the service
ssS--.s In fact IL would be than disrupt
~ our marvellous system Of telegraph ana teleI
- md driving from the realm OF SOUND ali
i.so5iols vocalizations that cheer the hearts
- III fhe souls OF II would nearly reverse
49, tsEe Of modern progress and the race Woulo
oc[a.1teTeplate the effect with apartment! $780, -
ocaiHing speak for loyalty 10 the things IN
er5 eternal and assuming that the accept
SCI ~ This mans money VIII work the con
49, ~ millions Of honest men, DR. GLADDEN. de-
e SaP that the proffered gift comes out OF q
Iiasea1 estate whose foundations were lald IN lie
SoasT relentless rapacty known 70 modern com.
++1Sreial history This is severe ndletIneht. ~
ll.--,1d- Rfr Rockefeller a cTiminal-aS ToDDeI,
=. fsct Of his eountrymen. II doesn't read IKE =
- should be uttered by one VINO, eAIIa.-
- 16e example of Titus, accepts the eounss! even
- mi vvfen commanding Sound speech IhaI car
Dy F - oonSeuned that he that s. OF a contrary
hSI nav 80 ashamed having evil thing 10 say
q s ~ AZ. Roeksseslsr wants Gdulatian IhSSs