The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-09-16
To the Palladium a:

To the Palladium:
In view of the publicity given the
affairs of the Biblical Department OF
Earlham College and Professor Ebert
Russell, it seems only fair that some
estimate of the esteem in which this
man is held by the student body should
be made known.
Although I am writing merely as one
student, l feel that | am one of many
in my admiration of Ebert Russell. !
have never been in any of Professor
Russell's classes, and consequently |
know nothing of his doctrinal teach
ings (nor would I be capable of judg-
ing their conformity or non-conformi-
ty to the orthodox faith, but | have
felt the Influence of the man through
other students, who Were taking work
in the Biblical department, and on
various occasions when l have come
IN contact with him, and it is purely
because of my appreciation of his
character and ability that / voice the
sentiment of the students in his be-
half 1t would be an injustice to the
institution with which he is connect
ed to hear nothing from the student
body at this time
Knowing Professor Russell, as we
do, to be a good sincere man, as we'll
as a thoroughly capable teacher, we
may justly take exception to the
probing" now being instituted. OF
course, it is not Professor Russelrs
character and ability that is being
! 'probed'; that everyone knows too
we'll to question, but it is the doctrinal
teaching of the man that seems to be
causing the complaint. But why
should doctrinal details be dragged in
to account in this day and particularly
in an enlightened community like this,
wherein Professor Russell is leading
such an exemplary life and exerting
such wide influence for good? No
boy or girl can come in contact with
this man without being inspired to the
better things of life, and certainly our
Elderly Friends need have no fear of
degraded youths because of his doc
trinal teaching.
Some may argue that Earlham is A
Friends school and that Friends have
a right to determine what points of
doctrine shall be taught there and
which ones shall not, but it must be
remembered that the members of this
community have been asked to con.
tribute literally of their means for the
benefit of the college, and this they
did-probably because it kept such
men as Ebert Russell in this vicinity
If such pressure should be brought
to bear upon Professor Russell as to
cause him to consider resignation
rather than become the hireling of doc
trinal dictators, we could but admire
him the more for his courage and his
sincerity of purpose. We know thai
he would be truly appreciated and
justly rewarded wherever he might
go, but Earlham College and this com
munity would sustain an irreparabls
loss at his departure. 1t would near
the cutting off of all new life by the
doctr1nal pruning hook, the inevitable
result of which Is death to all growth
We sincerely hope, however, that nc
such dire results may follow for Pro
fesor Russell has already endured con
siderable embarrassment and refused
exceptio: ! offers to remove to Other
communities because of his loyalty tt
Earlham, and the doctrinal criticism
of few elderly Friends is by M
means indicative of the esteem il
which Ebert Russell is held by the
students of Earlham and the resident:
of this community
! Yours respectfully,
An Earlham Student.