Omaha daily bee., 1922-02-18
i. of Wisconsin
President Calls
Bryan Atheistic
Replies To Commoner's
Charge lie Is Unfit as
Teacher Because lie Holds
10 Theory of Evolution.

Madison, Wis, Feb. i7-E. A.
Bifge, president OF the University Of
Wisconsin, today replied 10 as
seflions Of William ]. Bryan. made
here a year ago, and repeated re.
Gently, that lie i an atheist and
an unit teacher for students because
OF his acceptance Of modern science,
including the theory Of evolution.
Mr. Bryan had objected TO expires
sions Of President Rifge that his
teachings were causing injury 10 re-
l.Piun because OF his attempt 10 unite
the teachings OF the Bible 10 dis
credit scientific hypothesis and he
had declared that when the people
OF Wisconsin have enough money 20
pay the salary OF a university presi-
dent, they expect 10 find some one
who will no, ridieule the religion OF
tile parents and grandparents Of the
students"
Officer for Forty Days.
In letter 10 the Rev. L. ). Wor-
ecstcr. pastor OF the First Con-
gregational church OF which Presi.
dent Birge has been an officer Tor 4O
years, lie reasserted expressions made
10 Mr.. Bryan following his speech
10 students here declaring that he
had never found il necessary TO
Justify religion 20 science or excuse
science TO religion
Il have accepted both as equally
divine revelations and both as
equally wrought into the constitu-
,ion OF the world" President Birge
said. IL have believed that wisdom
and might are Gods and ! have
equally believed that science reveals
TO us how that might and that Wis
dom are expressed in the operation
OF the world.
Ground for Objection.
"Mr. Bryan seemed to dislike espc-
cially my objecting 10 his uniting re-
ligion to a 'discredited scientific hy-
pothesis.' ! think that the history
of the church gives good ground
ior my objection. In the 18th CELL
tury people were told that the doc
irine OF a round world was 'atheis-
tic and a century or so later the
Copernican astronomy was called
'atheis,c.' In the 10Th century evolu-
ton in like manner was called
'atheistic' by men Of whom Mr..
Bryan is belated follower.
"Did such teachings help religion
in the past and is there any good
reason 10 think Mr.. Bryan will sue
cecd where his predecessors have
failed dismally during four centuries?
Another thing that seems to trouble
Mr.. Bryan is the fact that | told him
that his teachings were 'atheistic'
rather than the teachings of evolu-
ton. l had a real meaning and pur-
pose in thus calling the attention of
Mr.. Bryan definitely and sharply to
the religious harm that may come
from his teachings.
Harmful Effect.
"Now, if ST. Paul was right, if God
is TO be sought for and found in the
teachings that are not far from
everyone of us then those who urge
us rather TO look for Gods creative
activity in the remote past do err,
not knowing the scriptures nor the
power of God They are turning the
seeker for God from the right track
and putting him on one that is only
too likely to lead him away from
God.
The harmful effect OF such teach
ings was clearly seen in many Of
those who used to oppose evolution.
They told NE that we bear an image
of God because of Gods work in
the creation of a remote ancestor,
but they never thought of telling US
that God sent forth His spirit and
created in His image you and me
and every baby that is born. They
talked as men who had never found
God, who is daily and hourly giving
to all OF US life and breath and all
things.
1T was the presence in Mr.. Bry-
ans speech of this attitude OF mind
that called out my protest to him."