, 1874-06-04
PROF. PATTON'S NEW TROUBLE.

1t atilkes III, upon casual royiow OF the aitu.
ation, that this must DO tho summon of Prof
Patton's discomfort. It is apparent that tic
donoral Assembly Is no moro disposed to treat
him with that degroo Of respectful doforenco
and tondor consideration duo to hia e,ninons
ability in ezpouudng theology, defining tsm1la-
tlon, and hunting herotics, than was tho Chicago
Prosbytory pending the Swing trial. The acquit-
tal OF Prof. Swing by tho Ptcsbytery, md tho
refusal of the General Assembly to impoach tho
soundness Of tho theology Of tho Roy. Dr. p at-
terson, at once defeated him in tho lower Court
aud clouds hia prospects in the upper, 1nas,nuoh
as DR.. Patterson was Prof. Swings anchor IN the
trial. And now comes tho General As.
sonbly aud declares, by tho emphatio
voto Of I'll to 81, TINT It will oxprcss
no opinion as to tho scriptural viow Of voman.s
right to epcak or pray in q social prayor-
mcoting and thoroupon commits tho whole sub
5ect to tho discretion Of tho pastors aud Elders
OF ohurchos. In tho language Of tho ch,ldron OF
tho world, this ia rough on Prof. Patton. It
rudely snatchos his Brooklyn lnurols from Ills
brow, und ruthleasly tramples upon thou,
Prof. Patton las expressed Ills opinion upon
this subject publicly, forolbly, and in dotail.
lie fought his first fight on this question, aud
won hia Bhoulaer-strapn in tho thoolorical
army. Ho dofoated tho Roy. Alr. Cuylor
M old veteran in the service, Tho Rev.
Mr. cuyler had said Hiss Smiley shonld
prench and pray under his raftors, Prof.
Patton said sho should not. After
long md bitter contest, 11r. CuyIor ,yag
worstoa, aud Prof. Patton at once appeared az
tho champion Of aogmatio Prcsbyterianisul, aud
tho dofendor Of calyin'a shoap.fold against
herotieal wolves prowling about to snatch of
unwarJ md innocent lamba. Tho decision of
tho General Assembly. however, rovcrsos tho
wholo matter. aud Patton, like Gen. Doum. lae
lost Ills pandche, which now adorns tho holmot
Of the Rov. Mr. Cuyler. Miss Smiley can now
proach and pray at her own pleasure in tho
church at Brooklyn from Which sLo was elected
by Prof. Patton, md timo, which changes ait
th'ngs, givoH tho victory to tho Kov. Mr. Cuylor.
Any other woman may mako lor yoico heard in
tho church, If the church ia willing.
and Prot. Patton Gnu no longer stop
In and say "Why do you sol 2" aud
liBporso tho fomalo e1horters. Now, Prof.
Patton cannot impeaoh tho General Assembly
unloss ho Ii tho ultimate Court Of Appeal, which
wo bolievo Ia not the case. Unloas, tloreforo,
he IL going to thmoly submit to tue loss OF his
laurcls, 10 should 20 back to Brooklyn, aud
" beard tho lion in his don, the Douglass In his
hail." According to tho decision OF the General
beyond Which lies 10 appeal Miss
Smiley or any other woman may apoak and pruy
III tho Roy. ouylor's church. II tho Rev. Ouylor |
aud tho Elders are willing aud, as thoy aro
willing, It ID uanifestly Prof. patton's duty to 30
buck thoro aud lght tito battle oyor acaln.
Or eleo acknowledge defeat. As we
layo eala before, this Ia rough on
Prof. Patton. 1t ia rough not only booauso
t anatches hla first triumph from him aud
,hauges It to idofoat; not only because 1t knocks
from under him the pedestal which Aaa elevated
lin Into public notice but rough also because
sse new alllos Of religion which tho deciaion
Eantta Into tue great army Of tAs Church u!u