New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-17
REPLY TO PROTEST4NTS.
Congregational CIergymen of Ne5c-
HaCen Discuss Rockefeller Gift.

New-Haven Conn, May 16.-Iu letter acknowI-
edgng The receipt from the committee Of protest.
ing ministers Of documents bearing on the recent
acceptance Of the Rockefeller gift 10 the American
Board Of Commissioners for Foreign Missions the
pastors Of the Congregational churches In New
Haven with the exception of the Rev. Artemus J.
Haynes, of the United Church, have Jointly given
expression to their views the subject.
The pastors say that. while reluctant 70 express
their views some extraordinary statements of the
protestants call for answer. They depIore any
unnecessary and harsh criticism of missionary So
cieties- Further. they say that they are among
those who have .eed TO the acceptance Of the
gift. hut have not. in any declaration Of their
views. manifested what the committee calls any
tendency TO "palliate. excuse, excuIpate." any
th!ng mat may be shown to be wrong IN the bust
ness methods Of any corporation. On the contrary.
the pastors assert they have not neglected suitable
opportunities of testfying against any recognized
double standards Of private and public morals or
against any recognized form OF industrial or social
tho,rtt oF he us syf tC4s ana without anxious
TO the treasures Of the ohrc6es T5 6
tinuing. says:
We, deeply regret that your committee has pub
.tSLltu ana Is scattering broadcast such declara
OF the Prudential Committee "Fxplana lions eva
from beginning to end thar rings TIE and Other
"oIIS, : I men We toroeSr 70 quote In view Of
upon. irrespective OF our opinions concerning The
the reply of the Prudential Committee is adTj-7bIs
In form, Christian In its spirit and in lis reason
lngS worthy or respect for its straightforward
simplicity and its cleer ethical tone and We would
express our continued confidence both In the equity
who are held In great esteem among US as Presi-
1ent tapen. Secretary Barton and The gent leTne-
associated with them n the Prudential Committee
We notice with regret the following words 'Th
courts can be bought; the legislatures can b
bought. the churches can hc bought hut the Amer
lean people cannot he bought" Such uu4ua lined
words under other circumstances might be passed
number Of Congregational ministers to their
brethren they he left unchallenEed This
statement, sweeping in its condemnation Of legis
laturcs, 50 Caiumuious OF the judiciary unjust
% our churches. W. would repudiate untrue in
fact and socially destructive in its effect
ton that by the acceptance Of such donations. or
by the Of any mans gift Of that which is INV
fully his own. the trustees OF charity enter into
an alliance with him in his business become
any compromise themselves with questionable
msth0ds II corporations We wish dAcisivelv 10
deny your assumptions that, while sustaining the
actions OF the American board not free
have always been in our Dulpits 20 rebuke
any wrongs that may be exposed in our economic
system
We would add n conclusion that in our opinion
Of the chief virtues needed for the el.-
walton Of business morals is exercise OF tho
intelligent discrimination; and Of the supreme
duties OF the Church, In regard 10 all questions OF
social ethics. Is first 10 learn the facts and then
10 speak the truth in love
The letter is signed by the following clergymen-
Newman Srryth. William W McLane. William
Mulch. Frank r. Luckey, Watson L Philips
Mckay. F. Lincoln Davis. Isaiah ". Sheath, Ed
Ward 7. Coin and Daniel J. Clark