The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-08
REVIEWING THE TESTIMONY.
DIR. TAN DIXIE FINISHES ms SPEECH
AGAINST DR. TALMIGE.
His Opinion OF the Covenant between Dr.
TnimnRe and Mr.. Hathaway, and of the
kilograms About the Tabernacle's Debt.


Ills Opinion of the Covenant between DR..
TnimnRe and MIR. Hathaway, and of the
kilograms About the Tabernacie's Debt.
The Brooklyn Prcsbytery yesterday after
noon continued its private session in the lee
ture room Of the Second Presbyterian Church.
for the expression OF the opinions of the mem
bcrs Of the court on the evidence taken under
the charges OF falsehood and deceit against tho
Rev. DR.. Thomas De Witt Talmagc. The minis
ters from many other churches gathered to
hear Dr. Van Dykes reasons for voting that
DIR. Talm0ge was guilty. The speech was de-
livered with much force. DIR. Van Dyke reading
from n printed copy OF his speech duplicates
OF which were In the hands OF many Of the
judges. DIR. TalmaRe came in during the de-
livery OF tho speech with his wife and
daughter, but he seemed to pay no at
tion to what DIR. Van Dyke was saying.
DIR. Van Dyke resuminR his speech Mt the point
where he declared that he should vote to sus-
tain the first specification. said: The evidence
bearing on the second specification. viz, that
he made, or allowed others TO make in his be-
half statements which he knew to be false in
defense OF his acts. and statements referred to
in the first specincation-isi In n small compass
/ confne myself to tho consideration OF three
statements which have been brought home
directly to DIR. TamnRo: I. That the paper was
surrepttiously sold. 2. That 1t was sold to the
publisher Of n Unitarian paper. 3. THAT tho
sale was the elimination OF plot or conspira-
cy. the design OF which was to drop him in In
jury and disgrace. The evidence before us
shows that all these statements are false" Dr.
Van Dyke argued ut length in support OF his
view.
Az to the third specification which accuses
DR.. Talmage of falsehood in his public state
ments that the pews in his church were as
signed without reference To- the dollar question,
DR.. Van Dyke said they had the uncontradicted
testimony OF two credible witnesses, Mr. Pear
The decision OF the Presbytery on tho fourth
specification" said DIR. Van Dyke. " must neces-
sarily depend, TO some extent upon the credi:
decline 10 vote or to express any opinion upon
Its merits. At the same time wish II 90 DO dis
relation Of that specification 10 the charge, and
the duty OF the Presbytery in regard to H. are
in no wise changed or modified by the remark.
able covenant between the accused and ono OF
the Witnesses TO tho effect that neither would
defend his character at the expense Of the other
The scene in this ,Presbytery, 10 prepare for
which that so-called covenant was privately ar
ranged. was IN my judgment, discreditanie 70
Of repentance. confession. or brotherly recon-
FINDER the nth specification trelating to DR..
Talinage's alleged attempt in the year 1878 to
obtain false subscriptions for the payment Of
the debt on the Tabernaclel tho moral prin.
ciples involved in this whole case arc brought
| TO square and definite issue. Tho facts re-
| ferred 10 are undisputed. They renewed tho
common fame against Dr. Talmage, and made
| i fragrant. They constitute tho real occas ion
ton will be the test vote"
After arguing fully In regard to the kilograms
eent by Dr. Talmage 20 his nephew and Mr.
| Hobbs about subscribing toward the church
debt, DR.: Van Dyke said: " For one cannot
| hesitate for a moment rs to the answer | shall
| give to this question. believe that the propo-
| stion was an attempt TO obtain false suhscrip-
| ttons TO be deceiuuuy used and that the argu-
| ments by which the attempt has been defended
are utterly inconsistent with Christian moral
| n.y.. am tne more earnest IN inc expression
merits of this case but the conflicting influences
| Of our times are brought TO a. square issue by
the question whether this fiith specification
" In all ranks aud classes OF society in COM
Church Itself two moral forces are openly con- on
| tending for the mastery. The one Is well eN-
pressed in the noble words frankness and
eepnsSss Saa T T2bespSs
| force is based on the philosophy Of expediency.
! fines success by tho lowest standard OF tempo
rary advantage. IL il this philosophy
which is undermining the foundations OF so
ciety and threatening 20 involved both Church
and State in its rui ms. have listened with in
expressinle surprise and pain 10 rs open avowal
IN this Preshytery. / heard with nnNemeut
| from tho leading counsel for tho defence the
bold declaration that there can be no guilty DE-.
To- know that he is deceived. And now
wait with trembling anxiety for myself and
for my children To see whether this Preshytery.
| and the Presbyterian Church. whose traditions
| aud power in tho world have been built and
| preserved upon other principles. will sanction
| this false philosophy. am free 10 say that II u
| does. IL will no longer be my Church. ! must
therefore vote To sustain the NTH specification.
| The sixth and seventh 6pecincattons do not
| seem 10 me TO lee supported by sun 'ent testi-
| mony. and therefore | shall vote not sustain ia
| regard 10 both Of them.
| "HAving decided To vote sustain upon four
| Of the specifications, and declining 20 vote upon
| one Of them simply because H. involves tho
| credibility OF my own testimony. ! shall bo con-
| strained to vote that charge Is sustained,
| shall give the votes have Indicated
| simply and solely because feel myself bound
| to do 30 by my ordination vow 10 maintain the
| purity and peace Of tho Church, whatever per-
seeution or opposition may arise unto me ON
The Rev. DR.. Wells said that he would no,
vote 10 sustain the third specification. because
| he thought there WINS no deceit proven. He
| lamented that he had TO say that the first. sec
| ond. fourth. and fifth specifications were sus-
| tained, and therefore that the general charge
The Rev. j. &. williamson said that DR.. Tai.
mage had not received kindness and justice al
the hands Of the Presbytery. He would vote moi
The Rev. William Wolff German pastor
would vote TO sustain the charges.
Tho Rev. Charles Wood said that the object Of
the prosecution was 10 convict OF sin and not t.
ascertain the truth. He should vote that the
charges and specifications We're not sustained
The Rev T. A. Nelson said TINT while he hat
no apology to make for his vote, yet he wished
Dr. Talmage To be assured Of his friendshiD
and that he did not believe that he habtuall,
falsihed; hut he thought that DR.. Talmrge com
mitted wrongs under the first, second, and NTH
specifications.
The Rev. Samuel p, Halsoy said that the pros
ecution's case was full OF bubbles and by sucl
bubbles they expected to have DR.. Talmag,
sent ont with brand Of liar and deceiver OF
him. They were making mountains out o
molehis all through the case In the great da,
he wanted no blood burdened soul once saveC
through DR.. Talmage's ministry. crying re
buke to him Tor his vote II he had ten thou
sand votes 10 give lie would give them all tina
the charge was not sustained. that all the speci
ncatlOns were swept away.
A there remained twelve speeches 10 b.
made. the Presbytery at j. NJ. adiournel
until to-day. The opinions 30 far eXpresseC
give twenty votes in favor Of DR.. Talmage 10 tel
votes against him. while two members remain
non-eommittal. OF the twelve elders who re-
main 10 cypress their opinions six are couute,
for DR.. Talmage The final majority in DR.
Ialmage's favor will be from ten to thirteen
The vote will undoubtedly be reached 10 day.
In Mnns LAnI ALNINn