Friday, February 23, 2007

Friends of Principia #7

February 23, 2007

Dear Friends of Principia #7,

This is a quick plea and a brief update from the last mailing yesterday.

In spite of the obvious disregard, evidenced by the election of new trustees and the appointment of a Dean of the College, by Stuart Jenkins and the Trustees your efforts are having an effect.

I received several e-mails yesterday with wonderful treatments and references to citations and articles…some examples…

(1) I have been carefully reading an Article I found in the bound volumes, Vol. 46 of the Christian Science Journal titled "Practicing the Allness of God" by Marie C. Hartman. It has given me much help in thinking about the situation at Principia. [I read it and it is an

excellent primer on the power of prayer. It’s found on pp 644-648 of the 2nd volume]

(2) Thanks for the update. I will continue to see that "neither animosity nor mere personal attachment" is governing any thought regarding this issue. The Rule for Motives and Acts is so powerful... reflecting the sweet amenities of Love in rebuking sin and forgiving.

(3) Hymn #’s 258 and 2

(4) Prophet and apostle have glorified God in secret prayer, and He has rewarded them openly. Prayer can neither change God, nor bring His designs into mortal modes; but it can and does change our modes and our false sense of Life, Love, and Truth, uplifting us to Him. Such prayer humiliates, purifies, and quickens activity, in the direction that is unerring. No 39:10-16

(5) Prayer means that we desire to walk and will walk in the light so far as we receive it, even though with bleeding footsteps, and that waiting patiently on the Lord, we will leave our real desires to be rewarded by Him.

The Trustees are tired of the constant e-mail barrage. It appears that it is beginning to break the mesmerism and they are starting to see there is another side to the story they have been getting from the CEO. For example, they were told by Stuart that Judy Felch was very popular with the College Faculty and would be welcomed by them. The truth is that the Faculty and Deans are adamantly resisting her demands for support. She had already discredited herself with the rest of the Faculty. Rather than “bringing an ability to restore consensus at Principia College” as opined by Bill Hays, Chairman of the Board, her appointment and the manner in which it was done has only widened the divide. After almost constant meetings over the past day, the Faculty is deciding this afternoon on what step to take in response.

The most helpful short term action would be to follow up your prayers with a letter to the Trustees, sent in the next 24 hours, stating your resolve to see a comprehensive solution to this crisis. The most appropriate solution:

(1) Starts with recognition by the Trustees that Stuart Jenkins lacks the integrity and moral character to be playing any role at Principia.

(2) Once Stuart Jenkins is gone then it will be appropriate to engage in a community wide discussion about the many structural changes that are necessary to make Principia truly democratic in the full vision of Mary Kimball Morgan.

You can just cut and paste the Trustees names and e-mail addresses as a block into your e-mail “addressed to” line as they appear below.

"Bill Hays" , "Charles 'Tuck' Spaulding, Jr." , "Chris Towle" , "Durant Hunter" , "Helen Ostenberg Elswit" , "Katharine Bullock" , "Maggi Foerster CSB" , "Michael Sharples" , "Willard Hanzlik" willard@principia.edu

This crisis can and will result in a rebirth for Principia.

Hymn 2

A glorious day is dawning,

And o'er the waking earth

The heralds of the morning

Are springing into birth.

In dark and hidden places

There shines the blessed light;

The beam of Truth displaces

The darkness of the night.

The advocates of error

Foresee the glorious morn,

And hear in shrinking terror,

The watchword of reform:

It rings from hill and valley,

It breaks oppression's chain.

A thousand freemen rally,

And swell the mighty strain.

The watchword has been spoken,

The light has broken forth,

Far shines the blessed token

Upon the startled earth.

To hearts and homes benighted

The blessed Truth is given,

And peace and love, united,

Point upward unto heaven.

With gratitude,

Paul D. Schmidt JD GRI

Principia College ‘71

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