The San Francisco call., 1908-07-12
WILDPS GENIUS
AND MORALS IN
CHURCH DISPUTE
Publication of Verses in Paper
Divides Ministers Into
Two Factions
Some Contend That the Work,
Not the Man, Should
Prevail
Controversy May Yet Lead to
Complications of Serious
Nature

BERKELEY, July 1.-Two poems
Of Oscar Wilde which have made their
appearance In the Church Messenger,
the Official organ Of the federation of
churches Of this city, have divided the
clergy into two factions, one of which
declares that on account Of the per-
sonality Of the author the poems
should have been suppressed The
liberal element thinks only of the
genius, not Of the man. The contro-
versy is one Of the most interesting in
church circles Of this city for many
months.
The value Of the poems as literary
productions was not questioned, as
they were conceded by al the clergy
10 be rare gems OF thought expressed
ia exquisite language. Their appear
snce IN the official paper Of the churches
has raised e storm Of protest On the
part OF some, however as in their
opinion the genius OF such a personality
IS WiLde's should not be exploited in q
church paper
Rev A s. Coates Of the South Berke-
ley Baptist church expressed himself as
IaToring genius and the burytng Of the
personality.
1T is the admirable thoughts that are
expressed in the verses which are Of
worth 70 the world, regardless OF the
personality OF the author" he declared.
The man himself should not be consid-
cred al all-olly his works
Rev. A = Kennedy. pastor OF the
Shartuck avenue Methodist church, was
ct the opinion that z man Should be
given credit for his work. Ee said
we cannot take away the personal
i-E q the author The artist or poet
must be given tUl credit Tor his work,
and, personally can see no difference
between the poem and the poet"
Rev Z \. 4IcCash. pastor OF the First
Christian church Of this city, took is
sue with Rev. Mr- Kennedy. He de-
clared that while the manner OF treat
mert and the thoughts expressed in
Wildes poems showed the touch Of
genius. the Church Messenger, as the
rerrese1tative paper Of the churches
of this city was hardly the proper
medium 70 bring Oscar Wilde's poems
before the public.
we cannot escape from the person
alIty OF the author no matter how
much brains and genius is shown in
Wude's poems, he said There are
other places more appropriate for the
exploitation for his poems than in the
columns Of the paper Of the churches
Of this city
The poems Of oscar Wilde which
were printed IN the Church Messenger
follow
Nay. rc-5 nor rars, White fues in The sprtnz.
sad olive E-ores, or silver breasted dove
Teach more clearly q thy life and love
Thal rerr1rs of red dame and thuu6erinS-
The hillside vines dear memories cf thee bring:
A bird al evening fvlug O. It's nest
Tells ne c- one who had 70 place q rest.
think ID is u thee tie sparrozs sing
come rather On some autumn afternoon
Wien red and brown are Furnished on the
leaves
and tie deI5s echo 10 the cleaners song;
cone when the splendid fullness Of the neon
Looks down Upon the rows OF golden sheaTes.
And reap tlT harvest; we have waited Ionc
Haply. one day these songs Of mine
some vorldsvoru rno-tal shall console
Tlrh savor q the bitter vine
of tears crushed OH from mans dole,
And h. SHAH say. tears IN his eyes.
There was great love IL this mans soul