Evening star., 1922-02-18
BRYAN ANSWERED
BYcOLLEGEH HEAD
Or. Birge, Wisconsin, Denies
Acceptance Of Science Is
"Atheistic."
By the Associated Press.


MADISON. Wis, February BE.
A. Birge, president of the University
of Wisconsin, has replied to as
sertions of William J. Bryan, made
here a year ago and repeated re-
Gently, that he is an atheist" and
unfit teacher for students because OF
his acceptance Of modern science, in
cluding the theory of evolution
Mr.. Bryan had objected to express
sfons Of President Birge that his teach
ings were causing injury to religion be-
cause of his attempt to unite the teach
ings Of the Bible to "discredited scien,
tific hypothesises," and he. had declared
that "when the people Of Wisconsin
have enough money to pay the salary OF
a university president they expected to
find some one who will not rldicule the
religion Of the parents and grandparents
Of the students"
pastor of the First congregational
Church, of which President Birge has
been an officer for forty years, he
reasserted expressions made to Mr..
Bryan following his. speech to stu
dents here. declaring that he mad
never found it necessary to justify
religion to science or excuse science
to religion"
Both Are Accepted.
I have accepted both as equally
divine revelations and botn as equally
wrought into the constitution of the
world" President Birge said.
Mr.. Bryan seemed to dislike espe-
cially my objecting to his uniting
religion to a 'discredited scientific
hypothesis 1 think that the history
of the church gives good ground for
oh In haa
tury people were told that the doc
trine of round world was 'atheistic,'
and a century or so later the CO.
perntcan astronomy was called 'athe-
istic.' In the nineteenth century evo-
luton, in like manner, was called
is a belated follower
Did such teachings help religion in
the past. and is there any good reason
to think that Mr.. Bryan will succeed
where his predecessors have failed dis
mally during four centuries? Another
is the fact that l told him that his
teachings were .atheistic' rather than
the teachings of evolution. had a real
meaning and purpose in thus calling the
attention of Mr.. Bryan definitely and
sharply to the religious harm that may
come from his teachings.
Now, if st. Paul was right, if God
is to be sought for and found in the
teachings that are not far from every
one Of u.s. then those who urge US
rather to look for Gods creative activ-
ity in the remote past do err. not know
ing 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.
Effect Of Teachings.
"The harmful effect of such teachings
| was clearly seen in many Of those who
; used to oppose evolution. They told me
that we bear an image of God because
, OF Gods work in the creation of a re.
| mote ancestor; but they never though,
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 Civ.
! ing to all of US life and breath and ali
| things.
1T was the presence in Mr.. Bryan's
speech of this attitude of mind tha,
1 ~ He'd C,,t my 70 =