The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-17
Heresy in the Free Church of
Scotland.

VIZ Ai00 OHufOu OF IocOCland that
htYeeresy is taught in the colleges of the
Church. In two Presbyteres- those of
Glasgow and Edinburgh motions have
been made for an investigation. In the
Glasgow Presbytery Mr.. Campbell gave
notice of motion for an inquiry into
views given by Prof Candlish in a lee
ture delivered at the opening of the Free
Church College The motion caused a
good deal OF indignation, and Mr.. Camp
bell was severely censured by several
speakers for his course, which was charac-
terized as unbrotherly and unscriptural.
Mr. Campbell was not deferred, however.
from calling up his motion at subse-
quent meeting. He asked for commit
tee OF inquiry. Prof, Candlish said a
grave wrong had been done him by bring
ing public charge before he had OBJ
portunlty for private explanation. He
was, however, ready to submit to what
the Presbytery deemed proper. DR..
Adam, after strongly condemning the CON
duct of Mr.. Campbell, as at variance
with scriptural and constitutional order
moved that the motion be not discussed
ana that deep regret be expressed at the
great and injurious irregularity commit
ted Mr.. Evan Gordon, a Highland min
lster located in Glasgow, asserted that
DIR. Candlish views of the authority of
the Scripture had excited disapprobation
on the other side of the Atlantic, and that
inquiry might proftably be extended to
other writings of the Professor. Profess
sor Bruce and Principal Douglas spoke
IN defense of their colleague, and by
vote OF 90 to the Presbytery declined
to enter upon the consideration of Mr..
Campbells motion, and that gentleman
thereupon appealed to the Synod. In
the Edinburgh Presbytery DR.. Moody
Stuart moved, after due notice, the trans
mission the following overture:
Whereas the theological training of can
aldates for the ministry of the Gospel is at all
tunes matter of the greatest Importance re-
curing the earnest attention and care of the
Church and whereas, there are at the present
time special reasons why the Free Church should
exercise exc Vigiant and wise superintendent of
the theological education of students for the
ministry it Is humbly overturned by the Presbv
terry OF Edinburgh that the General ASSEMBLY
take the whole matter into grave and deliberate
consideration, and appoint special commission
WIN Iuli powers to inquire in the state of theo-
l0glcai teaching within the colleges of the
Church, and into the published writings of tbe
professors, and to present their report to the
next General Assembly, g have it prepared for
sucIi carrier arrangement as the approaching As
sembly may see fit to sanction -
DIR. Stuart being absent, because of
illness, Mr. Thompson moved the over
ture' saying that an epidemic of heresy
seemed to have attacked all the colleges
DR.. McLauchlan, in seconding the mo-
ton, SAID that he had heard that parents
were hesltating about sending their sons
to the halls in the present state of mat
tiers. Principal Rainy opposed the mo-
ton. He knew of no doctrines taught
now that were not taught when he was a
student. DIR. Thomas Smith, DR.. Beoo
and others supported the motion, and Sir
Henry Moncreiff, Dr. Walter @. Smith.
and Profs. Blake and MacGregor argued
with Principal Rainy that the overture
be not transmitted. DR.. Begg stated
that they were not seeking to lay an ar
rest upon original investigation. He felt
at liberty to investigate all questions;
but he did not feel at liberty to State from
the pulpit everything that had occurred
to him In private, or everything that he
might have learned from books So with
professors. In Scotland the process of
emptying the churches had already be-
gun, for men would not have German
rubbish for sound Gospel truth. In Scot
land they would soon reach the stage thew
were In in Germany Professor Blake
said he should welcome inquiry, lift were
done in brotherly way. He thought it
rather hard on the professors, who had
all along differed from Professor Smith.
that they should be treated as if thew had
caught the epidemic also. As to the New
College, looking to theological contro-
VERSES going on at present, his feeling had
rather been one of thankfulness that
there had been comparatively 50 little
deviation from those lines which they ac-
cepted as true and right, and such devia-
tons had generally been, sectifed before
the students came to enter upon the &C
tual duties Of the ministry On division,
the motion to send up the overture was
lost by vote of 26 to Sc. At the next
meeting motion to appoint committee
to examine an article by DR.. Davidson
will be considered.-Independent.
n A NV D. ~