Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-07-23
ADAMS HEREsY.

A Dunicirk, NetC York, Presbyterian Par
500. Fho Doesn't Believe in Eternal Pun.
ishnaent Called to Account for His Her.
eticat Teachings
Presbyterian circles in western New York
are greatly agitated at present over certain
developments at Dunkirk. For some time
past it has openly been charged that the Rev.
James Adams, pastor of Presbyterian
church in that city, had been preaching in
opposition to teachings of the Presbytery in
regard to eternal punishment. In several
sermons he held very broad views, approach
ing close to Universalisnl. He claimed, in
the words of Bob Ingersoll, that there was
no such place as hell, and
he did not hesitate to de-
nounce the bigoted ideas of the
old school. He is ssid to be very eloquent
man, and greatly beloved by his congrega-
ton, which is large and wealthy one. 1t
seems, however, that there were some of his
parishioners who looked upon his teaching
as heretical, and they began TO create trouble.
They reported the matter to the Presbytery
of this district, and action was at once taken.
AS eternal punishment is one of the funde-
mental principles of Presbyterianism, it can
readily be seen that the position which Mr..
Adams has assumed Is an exceedingly promi-
nent one, and he has been soundly attacked
by the ministers. The Presbytery net in
this city few days ago, quietly, for
the purpose Of comforting with the accused
minister. A number OF the sermons were
produced and those portions which were con.
sidered Objectionable we're pointed out to him,
with questions as to whether they were his
views. The reverend gentleman replied that
they were. The necessity of his withdrawal
from the church if sach was his belief was
then set forth. He was given time to care
fully consider his position and retreat if be
became convinced that he had erred. A
committee of his colaborers were appointed
to talk over the matter with him and receive
his answer. The matter did not become
public until the committee went to Dnnkirk
and held conferences with the pastor on the
growing state of affairs. A large meeting
of Mr. Adams congregation was held at
Dunkirk on Saturday, and resolutions were
adopted denouncing the action of the
Presbytery i'll requesting their pas
tor to lesign, and further that
they believed that he was striving to preach
the truth, and they did not propose to let
him go. The mesiing was exceedingly inter-
esting. Warm speeches were made both
for and against the pastor. Mr. Adams,
however, had by far the largest numbers of
sympathizers, and the resolutions prevailed.
The committee returned, and to-day meet
ing of the Presbytery will be held in this
city. There is large attendance Of min
listers, the Rev. Mr. Adams being among the
number. The committee submitted re-
port saying that Mr.. Adams refused to re-
tract his teachings, and still held to
the same ideas. Formal charges for his
dismissal for heresy were then drawn up and
adopted by the meeting, and the trial was set
for the second day of August i'll the Central
church, with open doors. 1t is rumored
that Mr. Adams will make great effort to
prove the correctness of his views, and
show the weakness of the Presbytery rules
on the subject.