The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-05-16
ON
TAINTED
MONEY

New Haven. Conn, May 16-In letter
acknowledging the receipt from the com
mittee OF protesting ministers OF docu-
ments bearing upon the recent acceptance
OF the Rockefeller donation 10 the Amer
lean board OF commissioners OF foreign
missions. the pastors OF tho Congrega-
tional churches in New Haven, with the
exception OF Rev. Artemus j. Haynes OF
the United church, have jointly given
expression 10 their views in the matter.
The pastors I'm their letter say that
while reluctant to express thelr views
some extraordinary statements or the
protestants call for an answer. They de-
plore any unnecessary and harsh criticism
OF missionary societies. Further' they
say that they are among those VINO nave
agreed 10 the acceptance OF the gift, but
have not. I'm any declaration OF their
views manifested what the committee
calls any tendency 10 "palliate. excuse,
exculpate" anything that may be shown
10 be wrong In the business methods OF
any corporation.
on the contrary the pastors assert they
have not neglected suitable opportunities
OF testifying against any recognized
doubt standards OF private or pubic
morals or against any recognized form or
what individuals might be present in their
congregations and without anxious
thought OF the possible offense 10 the
contributors 10 the treasures or our
churches:
The letter continuing says:
I'VE deeply regret that your committee
has published and is scattering broad
cast such declarations as the following
concerning the reply TO United States
Prudential committee:
Explanations, evasions. excuses, legal
Guibbles-but not one sentence from be-
ginning TO end that rings true. and other
words which we forbear 10 quote. In view
OF your publication OF such charges we
are called upon irrespective OF our opin-
ions concerning the question at issue 10
say that IN our judgment the reply OF
the Prudential committee is admirable
in form. Christian in its spirit, and in
it's reasonings. worthy OF respect for it's
straightforward simplicity and its clear
ethical tone, and we would express our
continued confidence both in the equity
and high honorableness of the judgments
OF men who are held in 80 great esteem
among us as President Capen. Secretary
Barton and the gentlemen associated with
them In the Prudential committee.
We notice with regret tbs following
words: THE courts can be bought; the
can he bought; but the American people
cannot be bought"
Such unqualified words under other cir
cumstances might be passed by without
serious notice, but when addressed by a
number Of Congregational ministers 10
their brethren they cannot be left unchal-
lenged This statement. so sweeping in
its condemnation of our legislatures so
caluminous OF the judiciary. so unjust TO
oh n "a "a I'M
true In fact and socially destructive In
its effect We desire also 10 disavow the
assumption that by the acceptance of
such donations, or by the use Of any
mans gift OF that which is lawfully his
own, the trustees OF a charity enter into
an alliance with him In his business. be
comes yoke fellows with him In wrone
practices or in any way compromise
themselves with questionable methods OF
corporations. We wish decisively to deny
your assumptions that. while sustaining
the actions OF the American board we are
not as free as we have always been In oul
4, pulpits to rebuke any wrongs that may
| be exposed in our economic system.
I'VE also must protest when you insist
! that because OF our customs or principles
! concerning charitable contributions weart
! not in sympathy with the working people
/ and that our ministry is become the
! sllenced witness OF any threatening socia
! injustice You have no reasonable OF
moral right to so judge us. We deprecat'
| the continued repetition OF all such as
sertions as misleading the unchurcheC
| people and as hurtful 10 the dearest in
terests OF our common Christianity.
1--WE would add In conclusion that II
our opinion one of the chief virtues nov
| needed for the elevation OF business
morals Is the exercise OF the intelligen
! discrimination and one OF the suprem'
duties OF the church in regard 10 all ques
tions of social ethics is first to learn tn
facts and then 70 speak the truth II
love"
The letter is signed by the following
clergymen: Newman Smyth, William w
McLane William J. Mutch, Frank r
Iuckey Watson T. Phillips, George S
Prentiss, William w. Leete, Thomas c
Mckay, +. Lincoln Davis, Isaiah w
Sheath Edward +. Coin, Daniel J. Clark