New-York tribune., 1909-06-21
DIR. AKED REJ0ICES
PRAISE FOR PRESBYTERY.
Glad Liberals We're Ordained
Conn pliments Professor Foster

Pralsing Presbyterians FOR ordaining the three
liberals and commencing the Baptist Executive
Council for not oustng from the ministry Profess
sor George Burman Foster. Of Chicago University,
although denouncug Fosters book, The Function
of Religion in Mans Struggle for Existence as
patchwork. and not well done" the Rev charles
+. Aked, pastor of the Fifth Avenue BapliSt
Church. drew a lesson yesterday from these two
agitations and advocated the abOishment OF the
system of ordalning ministers lie would give the
churches full freedom In selecting their pastors
In connection with his praise of the Baptist Coun-
cit granting to Professor Foster full freedom in
personal thought. Dr. Aked sought also to commend
the attitude of John D. Rockefeller. founder OF me
University of Chicago in the controversy caused
by charges Of heresy. infdelity and atheism
brought against Professor Foster. DR. Aked salo
in part:
l think am entitled to say that the great
founder of the University of Chicago did not make
his gifts for sectarian purposes 10 estap{sh ruiE
est narIowest and most ignorant of professors, and
the idea that Professor Foster should be 9usted
from the ministry and the university is palpaby an
surd. ! sure the founder holds similar view
Regarding the action of the New York Presbytery
IN finally admitting ordination the three gradu-
ates OF Union Seminary who sought admission to
the Presbyterian ministry, DR. Aked said
! can congratulate the Presbyterian Church and I'D
the whole Church of God on The admission ION TO t ts
their faces turned IL the east In search OF HsiIt
OF youth. accepting unquestioned the theories of
matured fathers; young men prepared 10 advance
and progress and move on in the fulness or NnTls-
tian thought and evolution. | congratulate them
that they have young men of brains VINO dare 10
Sv them
The Baptist council at Chicago had a right 10
affirm its own views relating 10 those expressed
by Professor Foster in his book. and they did wise
to go further their resolution than that That
they refraIned from rendering verdict oustnE
Professor Foster from the ministry because OF
views he had expressed forty years after being or
dained is d commendable tribute 10 the freedom OF
thought and speech in the ministry as wei az
other professions
Professor Foster was attacked grounds not
alone Of heresy, but OF inhdelity and atheism ! 90
not condemn him for any of these things. ana 90
not discuss these issues but | do condemn him Tor
the incompetency and sovenliness of the piece OF
work His explanation that he dashed II on IN
thirty days : q by-product of a more dlficutt
work is
These two questions raise issue Of great i'm
pCrtance involving the wisdom Of the ordination OF
ministers If a man Is trained at theologlcal
seminary that ought to be enough. II churCh
calls him. that church have him. II an appi-
cant is not possessed OF seminary training, LEI the
presidents OF seminaTies form board to pass on
his ability and character and give him approval
We ought to leave the matter as much as possible
10 the Judgment Of the people, the honor ot the
ministers and TO time aud God.