“The intellectual level of the ministry of our American churches is pathetically low. Recent controversies could hardly have arisen had our pulpits been filled with men abreast of current thought and seriously teaching the people. The number of college professors and leaders in the professions who show no interest in the Church is an alarming sign of the inability of our clergy to grip the minds and stir the imaginations of many of our educated people. A rift between teachers of religion and foremost thinkers . . . constitutes a grave national peril.”
Reverend Henry Sloane Coffin, born on this date in 1877. He made the remark during his inauguration as President of Union Theological Seminary in 1926.