The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-04-13
VIEWS ON ACCEPTING
ROCKEFELLER'S GIFT
prominent Men Discuss Protest
of Congregational Pastors.
MHATJ.P. MORGAN'S LAWYER SAYS

Brancis Lynde Stetson Believes the
World Should Not Lose the Benefit
of the Oil Kings 100000 For For
@fsn Missions-why Bishop futile
Favors Recommendations Smith
Woud Not scrutinize.
One Of the most profound moral Is
sues growing out of the present con-
Slltions of life ON this continent has
been raised by the protest of Congre-
gational ministers against the accept
Ance of john D. ROckefeller'S gift OF
100000 for foreign missions on the
ground that Mr.. Rockefeller obtained
mis- money by means morally iniqui-
tous and socially dest&;tive," says
James Creelman in the New York
World 1t is recognized that if such a
gift is refused on the ground that it
carries with it the faint of the bust
ness which produced it hundreds Of
millions Of dollars would soon be cut
OF from the religious, charitable and
educational institutions of the country.
The ethical problem presented in this
protest, made at a time when the own
rers of vast and rapidly accumulated
fortunes are increasingly interesting
themselves in philanthropic enterprises,
Inspired the World to seek the opinion
OF men competent to speak on the sub
.1ect
Bishop Potter of New York, the head
of the largest and richest Protestant
diocese in America, was asked:
What are the ethics that should gov
ern church or charitable institution
In accepting gifts of money from
source on Which there may be the sus-
picion of taint!'
1.-The means by which money has
been made,'' replied the bishop slowly,
@as a legitimate subject for the inves-
1igation of any religious or charitable
organization to which it may be given.
Scruples of conscience as to the source
OF such donations are natural and prop
er, but in considering the propriety OF
accepting or declining gift it would
be wise to be guided by known facts
and not by mere rumor.
III know that many charges have
been made against the Standard Oil
company, for instance, but | am not
aware that any of them has been ac-
tually proved. But, as ] have said, it
would be legitimate to Investigate the
methods by which it has made its for
tune before consenting to accept any
share in it. This is not new problem;
1T has come up before in the case or
several colleges, and, if my memory
serves me rightly, several gifts of this
character have been declined in the
apast."
J uIlSat is the opinion OF bishop famiI-
lar with the great American centers OF
money making, a. churchman who
knows where and how millionaires get
their money as well as he knows the
necessities OF churches, hospitals, col
Ieges and asylums.
Francis Lynde Stetson was also
fsslyed to utter his views. Mr.. Stetson
lis r.. .Pierpont Morgan's lawyer. He is
jnlsO "a distinguished canonical expert
md lis a Ilag member of the house of
'dFsnNEties of the Protestant Episcopal
church. This is MIR Stetson's reply:
= II deem It q duty of mine to pass
Judgment on either Chose who would
.2.eept or those who would reject Mr..
R0ehafellef's munifcent gift to the
worthy cause of foreign missions. But
were such my duty L could not act
without further knowledge of the
fftxks-
~ 10 4xS
sufficient basis for insult to one offer
ing to benefit mankind Personally
Tanld cheerfully and gratefully vote so
that TIE world should not lose the ben
eft Of this latest of the many and vast
aiberalities Of Mr.. Rockefeller, whom /
have never seen and with whom have
nveer. had any relations; but. consider
his efforts for the permanent good of
Tnankind and also the personal con-
duct of the real man as attested by
those who do know him, cannot be-
1ieye him deserving the reproach Inn
piled In the objections published with
out supporting evidence"
Bishop D. s. Tuttle, the venerable
presiding bishop Of the Episcopal house
sof bishops. IS Il veteran Of the western
missionary ,elds. There is no more
virile anu earnest figure In the re-
.Igious life of the country. Telegraph
ling from st. Louis, Bishop Tuttle says:
1T seems to me that not individuals,
YOut the courts of the land, are the prop
ersauthorities to determine that money
is dishonesty acquired. Till SO deter
mined and rejected if the owner OF
money desires to give it for Gods
cause and good work the gift should
be thankfully received"
Against these views comes the fol-
lowi.ss.4; telegram from the Rev Ruen
~ rho.,.as OF Boston, one Of the Congre-
gatio2ai clergymel who protested
against the acceptance of Mr.. Rookie
felleFs $100,000:
THE Boston clergymen have protest
I'D TO satisfy their own consciences.
Mr.. Rockefeller stands before the