Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-22
REV. EDWARD IRVING.


REV. EDWARD IRVING.
This celebrated clergyman has at length beer
formally deposed from the sacred Office. We
give the concluding proceedings of his trial. Il
is very affecting case Of mental delusion. The
demeanor of the reverend gentleman Throughout
was highly impressive, bearing tile strongest ev
dences Of sincerity, and Of deep aud unfeigned
piety. How melancholy that mind Of such no
BILE mould should be thus unsettled by the inten
sity Of its own powerful action!
Trial ofthe Reu. Edward irving. The hear
ing of this case, which was charge of heresy
against the celebrated Rev. Edward Irving, Of
London, came on befnre the Presbytery OF An
nan, on Wednesday last The proceedings
were opened with prayer- after which the in
Iictment was read, which charged the Rev. De.
PENDANT with maintaining the sinfulness OF Christ
in his human nature. He had written that the
devil tempted because he kne" our Lord to be
temptable; that human nature Was corrupt TO the
hearts core, and black as hell; and thi, was the
human nature which the Son Of God took upon
himself, sc. &c. Numerous passages from the
qaence of the promug cation of these doctrines,
the General Assembly Of Scotland had enjoined
the Presby terry Of Amman to call upon the Rev.
Edward Irving to ay0w or disavOw them; IN or.
der that, if he avowed them, he might be depos-
ed from that station in the Church Of Scotland
to which the Presbytery of Amman, by the imp"si-
ton Of hands, ordained him. The Moderator
Inuurins il he admitted the truth Of the lioel,
fx,i,h al ,fy\ inI-
elf have said and taught that Christ was ia.
shioned as a man that he took our sinful nature
upop hm-but that by the grace Of God he was
upheld, and Welded not to the moluns OF that
sinful nature, then it is glorious doctrinr, and
will maintain it. yea even unto death" Nude
rator-" Ii is necessary that you answer ave, or
no.n The Rev. Edward Irving :" What do
hold IT, that the flesh Of Christ. being Of the seed
that it was presented holy unto G"d-hoiy, holy
as the law Of Gud itself. And surely you d" not
call this a true iibeI.'' After some fencing, a
plea was recorded that The accused ADMITTED the
rorrec tness of the extracts. The members Of the
Presbytery then delivered their opinions. serlat.
I'm, TIA, the doctrine IN question vas heretical,
irasmuch as Christ was conceived Of the Holy
Ghost, and. although a man. was without sIn.-
During these addresses, Mr. Irving kept his face
buried IN his hands, aud often sighed aloud Mr..
Irving delivered an eloquent and earnest address,
which lasted nearly two hours His spirit stir
ring eloquence, his extraordinary appearance, his
great physical powers, his gestures. his lntOna-
tons, all combined to command the utmost at.
tention, and to make, it vas obvious, deep i'm.
preston. The Presbytery unanimously Pru.
nounced his doctrines hereticaI, and the Modera.
tor asked him if he had any objection why sen.
tence of deposition should not be pronouncedl-
Mr.. Irving rose. and said, with great vehemence,
-" Objection! All object !-Objecuonf-
All objection! object not Tor my own sake, but
for the sake OF Christ my Lord, whom serve
aud honor. object for your sskes. who will
thus call down on your heads the righteous wrath
of God. object for the Church's sake who are led
blindfold to ruin. Objec,ioni All objection !"
The Moderator requested the senior member Ut
the Presbytery to offer upa prayer, when gen.
teman who sat with Mr. Irving, and who vas
said to be one Of his DRAGONS from London, arose
and with the gratest vehemence exclaimed - De.
part! Depart Depart! Arse and fee! Flee We
out Of her! ie caunot pray to Christ whom
ye DENY! Depart! Depart! say depart!
Flee, heew Great CONSERVATION and confusion
now began to prevail, aud the Church being al.
most dark, (tor il was near 7o'clock) added to
them not little. The Deacon, who seemed
greatly excited. made his way iorcibIy through
The crowd. Here there was burst Of Kisses
from the galIenes) Mr.. Irving. who vas pro-.
ceedng to follow his friend. then exclaimed.
also with great vehemence, and apparently to
the crowd that somewhat obstructed his pas.
sage. Stand forth! Stand forth! What! will
We not obey the voice Of the Holy Ghost: As
many as will obey the Holy Ghost, let them de-.
part!" He then made his way towards the door,
and just before reaching il he exclaimed
"Prsyer, indeed! Oa!" Several gentlemen Of
Mr.. Irving's party followed. In the midst Of
great confusion, Mr.. Sloan offered up brief
prayer-after which, the Moderator formally
pronounced the sentence Of disposition Of the
Rev Edward Irving from the Ministry Of the