New-York tribune., 1874-05-05
TRIAL or PROF. SWING

FIRST DAYS PROCEEDINGS or THE CHICAtTo PRES
| BYryRY - PROF. SWING GREETED wI.'H AP-
PIAUsE-H PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO THE
CHARGE OF HEREsY, AND DEFENDS HIS AC-
TONS.
CHICAGO, May 4-The trial Of Prof. David
swing before the Chicago Presbytery, on charge
heresy preferred against him by Prof. Patton, began
THIS morning in the First Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Patterson the chairman u the committee 70 con-
slider the protest Of Prof Patton against the ac-
ton Of the Presbytery in appointing ju-
diclal committee to examine into his charges
against Prot SWING reported that, while tie book Of
discipline does not provide positively for Judicial
Committee, yet the usages Of the General Assembly
seem 10 favor that course.
The report accepted, and. together with the pro
test, placed on the records.
The charges then read. The Rev II. c Noyes, az
counsel for Prof Swing desired that the latter hond be
permitted to present his views OF the indictment pre-
vious 20 pleading TO the charges.
Prof. Patton objected and insisted that Prof. swing
should enter formal plea Of guilty or not guilty before
being allowed to speak. The Moderator ruled thas
II the prosecutor rigdy insisted on the rule must be
enforced An appeal from the decision resulted III its
being enforced.
Prof Swing then took the stand and was greeted with
loud applause, which checked by the Moderator
He began by saying that he objected 20 the charges as
too vague ana embracing important Ofense but not
plea OF not guilty.
He admitted that the extracts from his
sermons and lectures, but asked the PresDy-
teTy to consider the entire disc94rses IRON from
himself ~ be what, before the late unon was styled
New school Presbyterian, and he denied having come
in conflict with OF the Evangelical Calvanlstlc doc
trines OF the Presbyterian denominations.
oof,ro % the PaTSasr Easa op'n'f the S
tartan chapel he said the sin must
are outcasrs from God, having no hope in the life to
come. Tho names OF Charming. and Elliott
an ana tbt hgango9 and Pea9oay chrt.se pGPs Res
of thousands in the denomination excluded from his
mind and heart the most remote idea that IN showing
that brotherhood any kindness he % was %. onerin,S
an indirect approval to persons beyond the pale
these brethren devoted to wrath beyond the tomb
he wholly repudated. It is indeed said he my conyc-
Gospel that announced by the Evangelical ALI
snee few years ago. yet am inst ,asya5al1 as certain
and grace upon the mind that possesses the
most accurate information but -, upon the
existing between all these brethren aud myself is not
harmony Of views in the mind but harmony Oh Ipye
in the SOUL They each and al know that dner widely
Much as love Presbyterianism a love inherent from
all my ancestors II II necessary for me TO aDate In
10 purchase the Presbyterian name dear price.
He declared his belief that the Presbyterian Church
the extreme doctrines of future punishment
taught by it IN days past, but that these
doctrines had driven na many 70 es yr,nerS
preached, quoting from Luther aud others, ana then
said IL seemed 10 him the world Il now 1lllY
yet tenderly preach ali OF the creed except
its plain errors dark views Of God ana man. Not
Que or you, my brethren, mas preached the DARK
theology OF Jonathan Edwards in your whole nle
Nothing could induce you To- preach 1T t
in dreadful plainness: lie th"n gave MS articles OF
belief using the words in the Evangelical sense. He
conc uded his answer follows:
Having confessed every that the value OF sin
gle Life depend upon sectar1an relations but
upon evangelical or Christian relations am per
fectly willing to cross a DouhIary py & %nlen tro, 4
nave often SHOWN 10 ne narrow. But, gong rom
for If your order. at last t is the Evangelical
Gospel shall still preach unless my mind should pass
through undreamed OF changes IN the future -.
From the public prosecutor IN TINS case Wouid NOT
withhold conviction that he has acted from sense
tend good VIII, and hope that, on wisdom reglous
and raernal You Will DC enaDed % 10 "nat Is rsHt III
AT the conclusion Of the answer Prof Patton said that
in OF the candid statements Ilade py Pfo spring
he would like withdraw the charge, Dut III We" oL
what he considered his duty he could not do SO.
He desired present his AFFIDAVIT sIOwlng that ma,
teral witness, the Rev Robert Llord was absent, ana
also the affidavit OF another person. 70 show the lnpo
tance OF COlYers testimony; ths win view Oh moving
continuance Of tue trial uaili Mr. Coyers testimony
The Rev Mr. KittredGe moved suspension of pro-
ceedings ana that committee OF conferences De APP
pointed meet with tue accused anu the prosecutor
and see IL the trial could be avoided: ~
The Rev Mr.. NOyes, behalf OF Prof SwiDg, opposed
any compromise.
The Rev Mr. swazey then offered amendment,
which accepted by Dr. Kittredge that tue Commit.
Zee should advise with the prosecutor as 10 whether IL
would not the interest Of the Church for hun 10
prof Patton objected and the amendment with
ance of the case OF the OF Robert
iird tolyer and had an affidavit OF a man read that
prof. swing mad sand he and Coyer were IN perfect
accord the subject or the DIVINITY
,vas rnad IN re etfacr tht RoDert Laird COiyer
last stated TO him that he mad returned 10 MS
form er belief in the Divinity Of Christ.
The remainder OF tue session wag spent IN discussing
the question Of continuance on the grounds asked
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