The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-26

REVEALED RELIGION IN IT'S RELATIONS

PHILADELPHIA, September 25.-Revealed
religion IN its relation TO science and phi
Iosophy, formed the topic discussed in all
the papers read at to-day's sessions Of the
Pan-Presbyi Council in Horticultural
Hall. After the usual devotional exer.
cises, conducted by Rev. DIR. Green, OF
Princeton College, president Of the morn
ing session, Professor Henry Calderwood.
LII. D., Of Edinburgh, read paper on the
subject OF the "Reiations OF Science and
Theology" during which the author briefly
and seyeralIy reviewed the distinctive anti
theological peculiarities OF the writings
OF Tyndall, Darwin, Huxley and the
modern scientists who have sought TO con-
trovert Bible assertion on scientific hypotbe-
sis. The fact was that there had been q
| frmly.proclaimed antagonism TO the recog-
milton OF the supernatural, and under these
circumstances 1t belongs to theologians 10
make their appeal to intelligent men by a
clear statement OF their position. That
theology has received able support from
science was demonstrated by the speaker
citing cases in which avowals OF Christian
faith had been made in all ages by men who
had made scientific research the study OF
their lives. He observed that scientific men
do not in body participate in assaults made
upon the Christian Church, and those who
do are not scientists. That they are scien-
| tlfc was not denied, but the speaker did not
deny that they were engaged in scientific
work.
This paper was followed by one by DR..
James McCOsh, ID. D., LII. D., president OF
Princeton College, n. j. Owing to the re-
stricted time DR. McCOsb was able TO resd
only portions OF his paper, epitomizlng in
| the briefest manner the great bulk OF its
contents, which. according to the title Of
the paper, dealt with the question OF How
10 deal with young men trained In science
lin this aye OF unsettled opinion" His adj
vice was to deal tenderly with young men
and prepare them thoroughly with every
possible intellectual equipment, and he adj
yised especially that teachers should be eau
tious OF speaking in an authoritative man.
ner OF subjects on which they were not
themselves thoroughly informed.
| DR.. McCosh gave an interesting sum-
mary OF what he had accomplished during
sixteen yeats OF his ministry and as head OF
q college in Ireland, together with what bad
been done during twelve years OF his presl-
dency at Princeton College. On the latter
point he remarked that OF twelve hundred
graduates that had left college during his
| presidency only four went away unbeliey-
gospel ministry and the fourth high up in
the theological class OF Princeton, he hay
ing returned as postgraduate.
The reading Of these papers was followed
by the usual discussion OF them and OF pre-
ceding papers.
Hon. Horace Maynard presided at the af-
ternoon session. Before the regular bust.
ness was taken up resolution was adopted
providing for the appointment Of commit
tee TO consider and report upon at the next
Council meeting all applications for MEN,
bership in the Alliance.
Hon. Horace Day then moved that the
committee 10 be appointed have power to
pass upon the applications for admission to
the present Council. He remarked that the
application OF the Cumberland Presbyterian
church for admission 10 membership bad
been rejected, although that chui cb
represented 10000 people who are
strictly Presbyterian in their poliiy and
PRESBYTERIAN in their doctrine, except
nine sections relatiDgto predestnation. Mr..
Day asked how many OF the churches repre-
scented in the Council beileyed in those arti-
Giles, and added that il the Westminster
Catechism was to be written tomorrow, he
believed that great majority Of the churches
would favor the omission OF a great deal
now i'm it. This remark elected chorus
OF such cries rs "Order, orderl" "No,
mol" etc. After a warm discussion, Mr..
DAYS motion was adopted.
The order OF the day was paper on
" Apologetics by Rev. Edward de Pres
sener, ID. d., OF Paris, but as that gentle
men was absent and the paper he had sent
was written in French it was referred to the
Publication Committee.
. Professor Flint read paper on "Agnos-
ticism." Briefly put, his definition OF ag-
Mysticism was that spirit which challenges
but refuses to be convinced by evidence.
1--WE live" he said, Gin an age when
large number OF people insist on being
guided in religious matters by the
exercise of private judgment, when, un-
fortunately, they have very little Judgment
to exercise. We live in critical and ana
lytical age and numbers are apt TO adopt
agnostic views and support them by what
they term critical methods" In the speak
er's opinion, the only method by which
agnoslIcism can be met in way which can
have permanent effect is by opposing to its
narrow spirit piety; 10 its plausible n.y.
pothesls, conclusions drawn from all classes
OF relevant fact; in a word, bv sound,
thorough, intellectual, biblical scholarship.
Professor Flint said be had great respect
for Calvin and believed In the doctrine OF
the Westminster Catechism, but he Ut
terry repudiated the notiOn-and one
that was largely causeiu OF agnos-
ticism - that the study OF theology
came to an end with the production
Of that catechsm. In conclusion, be said
that each individual could by the beauties
OF sincere, vigorous Christian life present
against agnosticism more powerful argu-
ment than could possibly be put into words.
A formal greeting from the Methodist
ministers OF Philadelphia was read, and
resolution acknowledging It's receipt was
adopted by the Council, which then adj
journed.