Show PROFESSOR PEARSONS CASE The case of Prof Pearson of tho Northwestern University Chicago raises the evernew and yet anclont question how far an orthodox minister Is Justified In expressing opinions diverse di-verse from those commonly entertained by his fcllownilnlstcrs That is shall the man who has read and in his reading read-Ing has found facts unknown to those who have not been studious disclose those facts Of course to complicate the whole matter the deep feeling manifested on the subject of Bible Inspiration In-spiration and authority must bo reckoned reck-oned with Tho man who from bin researches re-searches feels obliged tovsny things not commonly understood has always to face the Intense feeling sure to be awakened against tho new and disturbing disturb-ing view Professor Pearson felt Justified Justi-fied from his studies and knowledge derived de-rived from a wide rending to deny the Inspiration of the Sqrlpturcs Many others have taken the same view But the trustees of the university where he serves have not Icopt up with tho progress pro-gress of critical rcaocarch and arc much annoyed they are now considering con-sidering whether or not the Professor should not be discharged Time was when he would have been burned The complaint against him arises from the same feeling that In former ages would have applied the torch But there Is this at least to say In favor of thoso who want to oust Professor Pearson he was engaged to teach the orthodox view of these matters If ho has found out that this view Is erroneous It seems toUf that the dictates of propriety would move him to send in his resignation Just as In tho case of any man who is employed to don special piece of work when hIs < i h-is no longer able to do It he must quit His being right in his Ideas does not affect the matter at nllsp far as this view of the matter Is concerned The mnn who Is hired to build a house has no business to put In his time tearing It down without the consent of tho owner own-er Perhaps the house ought to comedown come-down but If J the oWhcr doesnt want It down it should stand So in Professor Pearsons case the truth as he sees It requires the tearing down of the old house of Biblical inspiration the persons per-sons who employ him pin their faith to that structure so he must not In ethics attack it while in their employ for the purpose of strengthening it not making It weak The truth tells him that he Is right but he must cither sacrifice his convictions in this thing conceal them or play the martyr The situation is not unusual it has been faced by many and is to bo faced by many more Professor Pearson Is employed em-ployed to teach Inspiration of the Bible If he doesnt think it inspired his course is plain he cannot lake the money of those who do and his being right Is no excuse |