Evening star., 1909-03-10
TROUBLE At PRINCETON ENDS
STUDENTS REALIZE THAT THEY
MADE A MISTAKE.
Conference to Be Held With the
Faculty = Why Vacancy in
Seminary Was Not Filled.

PRINCETON. n. j., March 1O.-The
two lower classes of the Princeton
Theological Seminary held mass
meeting yesterday afternoon to decide
what course should be taken in regard
to their so-called family quarrel with
the faculty. The meeting was calm and
restrained and the differences bid fair
to reach a satisfactory and peaceabie
termination.
The students realize that they made
a mistake in petitioning the directors
rather than the faculty. though their
intentions in so doing were perfectly
good. Accordingly. the two classes yes
terday appointed committee of
twelve, composed of the two class
presidents, five first-year men and five
second-year men, in whose hands the
entire matter was left. This committee
will personally confer with the faculty
and present the students requests. and
will report at another mass meeting,
to be held next Tuesday.
Wished Vacancy Filled.
One of the requests in the original
petition to the directors was that the
chair of homiletics. which has been va
cant for five years, be filled as soon as
possible. During the interim the Rev.
David J. Burrell. pastor of the Col
legiate Church, 9Th avenue. New York
has been coming over three days
week and lecturing to the students. His
work has been highly satisfactory, and.
in fact. the professorship has been Of
fered to him. There were personal
reasons. however, why he could not
leave his pastorate. Fearing that their
request might be construed us reflec-
tion upon him. the students adopted the
following resolutions:
Testimonial to DR.. Burrell.
"The members of the middle and ja
nior classes wish to express to DR.. ia
cob j. Burrell the hope that he will in
no way consider the recent appeal for
full professorship in the department of
homiletics as any reflection upon the
services he has so ably rendered this
department as acting professor of hom
iletics They realize that at Il personal
sacrifice DR.. Burrell has taken time
from the duties of the pastorate of one
of the most influential metropolltln
churches and brought to the men OF
Princeton Seminary knowledge and
experience such as few teachers of his
subject have. The testimony and re-
gard of Princeton men, past and pres
ent. who have had the privilege Of his
instruction is a standing assurance OF
this. In confirmation of this the classes
were possible for DR.. Burrell to con-
tinue as full professor in this depart
ment. not only because of the pleasant
and profitable relationships of the
classroom, but the relationships OF
warm personal friends which the men,
bers of these classes treasure.
Why the Vacancy Exists.
The Rev. Charles r. Erdman of the
seminary, formerly of Philadelphia. has
explained the situation in regard to the
vacant chair of homiletics. He was
director before he became a professor.
and hence knows the situation from both
viewpoints. He explained that the di
rectors have made every effort to fill the
vacancy and that the delay has been due
to their unwillingness to call any but
the very best men obtainable AS Il
matter of fact. three men have been
rendered the chair recently. Last fall
The Rev DIR. Maitland Alexander Of
Pittsburg was selected and declined. as