IN DEFENSE OF DR. BUTTRICK

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

This letter is written as a testimony of defense for Dr. George A. Buttrick, preacher to Harvard University for the past three and one half years. Since Dr. Buttrick chooses to remain silent in his own defense, it is the duty of those who admire and respect him to rally to his support at this time.

Dr. Buttrick, in a recent coast-to-coast radio broadcast based on certain articles appearing in the CRIMSON, has been referred to as a man given to bigotry for his alleged anti-Semitic views in the Memorial Church controversy. Yet nothing could be farther from what this man represents. Dr. Buttrick has always stood for tolerance and brotherhood among all religious faiths. On Brotherhood Day, February 24, 1944, Columbia University recognized this by conferring upon him, as a representative of the Protestant faith, and two other men, as representatives of the Catholic and of the Jewish faiths, their highest honor: Doctor of Sacred Theology, in recognition of "the growing spirit of cooperation among the religious faiths."

His congregation at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church of New York City knew him as a staunch defender of all faiths and as a minister firmly opposed to anti-Semitism. While at Harvard, despite some impressions to the contrary, he has leaned toward inter-faith use of Memorial Church as far as the official or unofficial rulings of the Corporation would allow.

Dr. Buttrick has demonstrated throughout his life and ministry a love of all men regardless of their race, creed, or religion. It is hoped that the Harvard community recognizes him for the friend that he is. W. French Anderson '58

(The CRIMSON regrets any allegations of racial anti-Semitism that have been made against Dr. Buttrick as a result of misinterpretations of our articles on the religious controversy. There is no foundation for such charges and no place for them in the present discussion.--Ed.)