New-York tribune., 1909-07-14
COLLEGE MORALE DEFENDED.
Professor T. ". Hunt Opposes Recent Attacks
by Prelstes Upon American Universities

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Those Of us who are connected with our
American colleges and universities and know Of
the great work that is going in them. III all
that pertains TO culture and character. are more
than surprised at the statements so frequently
made Of late relative TO the moral tone and re-
lsious influence of these institutions
We are told by Bishop NcFaul in substantive
terms that these seats Of learning the centres
Of false teaching relative 20 the great truths Of
Christianity and still worse the centres of future
immortality. so to make II hazardous for parents
70 patronize them. In these declarations Bishop
McFaul is grossly in error both as to Judgment
and fact. and should be made TO prove his charges
IN open court or suffer the legitimate consequences
It is a shame for dignitary Of the Church to
take advantage Of his high official position to
circulate such misleading statements and, appar-
emily, for partisan ecclesiastical ends
From Professor Coe. of Union Theological Semi
nary. we have. as reported. another Of these IN
Just deliverances made in open session at ChaItl-
Qua. and, as coming from such source even
more detrimental than the extreme utterances Of
the Romish bishop. After stating what is posi-
lively untrue. "tlaJ the [AmercanI college is
teaching subjects and not educating men" he
makes the sweeping assertion that no man, We
submit has the right or should have the dis
courtesy 20 make that nobody lin these colegesl
holds himself responsible for the moral and re-
Hsious training Of the students"
What authority has Professor Coe TO make such
comprehensive statement as that BY which he
assumes TO sit in Judgment the large numbers
Of college professors who deeply concerned as
TO the moral training OF students and exert their
influence in all possible ways to foster il? Per
sonally. l protest against the assertion and I am
annoyed that the language was allowed to "a SIS AZ
ChautaUqua unchaTenEed.
If DR.. Coe would take the pains to look into the
intense life of such a university as Princeton or
Yale, he would find that the presidents Of these
colleges do net spend all their time in finance
and administration and that professors-not a
few--work in conjunction with the Christian asso-
Citations to conserve college morals and promote
religious life.
Not IN half a century has there been 4 time
when there has been in these centres Of liberal
learning more distinctive Christian activity than
there is now, and when manly Christian character
has been more pronounced. Candidates for the
ministry are not numerous il is true, and there
are good reasons for It. RevivaIs of religion are
rot as frequent, 1t is true and there are good
reasons for it. Members OF college faculties do
heretofore, and there are good reasons for il;
but the religious results are after all more pro-
nounced and normal Despite all the evils
incident to university life and, as such, open to
criticism, it stiu remains true that these fnsti-
tutions are educating well teaching
subjects. that wholesome Christian sentiment is
potent in them than ever. and that our
American ''denonna tional" colleges are. next TO
the Christian Church the most efficient factor in
the moral regeneration Of the young
PROFESSOR THEODORE ". HUNT.
Princeton University, July Il, 1919