St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-04-12
MIR. RockefeIIer's Gift.
Local Opinions Of n Question Now Muci
Discussed.

| Discussed.
In his sermon last Sunday morning Rev.
DR.. S, G. Barnes announced that he had
sent in his name as protesting against the
acceptance by the American Board OF Mr..
Rockefeller's gift OF $100,00o. The SER
mon itself was discussion, not OF this
particular case, but OF the question
whether a church or missionary society
| is to accept without question gifts from
any and every source. Il hate robbery
for burnt offering" was cited as showing
that wherever the gift could fairly be
STYLED "stolen money" those who be-
lieved it to be dishonesty acquired could
not accept it without a measure OF part
nership in the dishonor OF the giver.
Rev. E. NJ. Chapman, pastor OF the
North church, contributes his views as
follows:
believe the question to be one of the
most involved and intricate which has
ever come before the Board for settle
ment--so intricate that it is quite posi-
BILE for equally conscientious men to take
opposite views. While, however, the or
ganization with which Mr.. Rockefeller's
name has been so long identified, is under
examination bv state and federal gov
ernments with view to possible GRIM
inal prosecution, believe, not only that
we can afford to get along without Mr.
Rockefeller's money, but that we are bet
ter off without it. | do not feel called
upon to condemn the man himself I'M
heard.
One thing believe should. however, be
stated with emphasis. If acceptance OF
such a gift by the American Board is
wrong, acceptance of $1,00O,000 by
Harvard University for a medical school
is wrong. There are not ten command
ments for a Mission Board and but eight
or pine for University.
AS Prof Henry Fairbanks is the only
corporate member OF the American Board
in st. Johnsbury the editor OF the
CALIFORNIAN asked him tor an expression
of his views on this question and Prof.
Fairbanks has submitted the following
statement
Referring to the Rockefeller donation,
the president of the American Board in
letter just received says, "The sentiment
OF the churches as they have written is
over helmingly in favor of accepting the
gift. "a Congrega Christian judge
of supreme court said in my hearing,
and two very able lawyers echoed his
opinion, Il am very reluctant to pass
judgment upon hearsay evidence, even
when supported by intense popular pre-
JUDGE, after newspaper trial conducted
in the yellow journals" Ofthe Standard
Oil Company it is to be said that it met
it's competitors with the same tactics
that they used, and distanced them in
the game. 1t was as fair perhaps for
them as for it. Its money was made by
saving the expense of competition in sell
ing. But unlike other trusts, when it had
a clear monopoly, instead of robbing the
public by carrying up the price as it might
have done, it lowered it for all its pro-
ducts. | would have nc trusts, but some
Others are worse than this one. Mr..
Rockefeller is minority stockholceri in it,
having made money in other ways also.
He is a Baptist church member, highly
esteemed by those who know him person.
ally. doubt if among business men he
is sinner above all, and l do not accept
as authority the articles made spicy by
painting him as black as possible Ii
money were offered as bride, to stop
investigation ofiraud, or to purchase
honor for the donor, there might be rea-
son for declining to receive it, but Mr..
Rockefeller asks nothing OF the Board,
does not affix his name to any institution
aided indeed held back his name for
months. This is most unsuitable occa-
sion for raising the question OF declining
gift. And upon the broad question,
whatever may have been the law for the
Jew, in the New Testament we find the
Lord Jesus receiving courtesies OF public
ans and sinners, approving Zacchaeus for
giving half his moneyto the poor and ac-
cepting the costly Offering doubtless
bought with tainted money! from the
sinful woman. Certainly the American
Board is not the place to fight the trusts,
and hope that it may not be greatly in.
jured by the attack upon it. May the Lord
raise up other large givers.