The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-07-14
Prof Robertson Smith Again.

means let them learn trade.
Prof. Robertson Smith Again.
This celebrated case is not, evidently,
to be allowed to fall into oblivion; and it
is possible that the action of the General
Assembly will not be considered as final.
Our Scottish exchanges tells US that sew
eral private conferences have been held
by those dissatisfied with the restoration
of Prof Smith, to determine what course
to pursue. Among those who have thus
consulted together are Drs. Begg, Moody,
Stuart, Kennedy, and Macksy, and the
result is a manifesto, which has been
drawn up with great care and which will
shortly be published. The tone of the
document is not to be personal, it is said
but it will be such as to draw out reply
from Prof Smith or his friends. The
controversy having been thus re-opened,
way will be found to have the case
again officially considered,
Another section of the Church. who
think something more decided should be
done than is contemplated in the nantes
to, are proposing secession, or withdrawal
from the Fellowship of the Free Church "
They are circulating for subscriptions a
paper understood to have been drawn up
by an ex-ofice-bearer of the Free Church
of Edinburgh. The paper gives the fol-
lowing reasons" for renouncing the
fellowship of the Free Church:
"a. because its professors and minis
ters are now allowed to teach, admittedly
contrary to all historical evidence, that
there are interpretations in the Book of
Deuteronomy; and there is no reason why
they may not assert the same thing of the
Acts of the Apostles or any other book of
Scripture, if they choose.
(2.) Because it is now allowable to teach
that the Song of Songs got into the Canon
of Scripture by mistake, through the
Church enormously supposing it to be al
legorical
(3.) Because it is now allowable to
teach that the Books of Jonah and Esther
have poetical inventions of incidents in
them, which destroy their credibility as
trustworthy historical documents
a. Because it is now allowable to
teach that the Synoptical Gospels are non
apostolic digests of spoken and written
apostolic tradition In other words,
they We're not written by Matthew, Mark,
and Luke; but by some party or. parties
at the beginning of the second century.
90 Because it is now allowable to
teach that the Gospel of John is an un-
historical product of abstract reflection.
In other words, it is not historical &C
count of words spoken or actions done by
the Saviour.
co. Because it is perfect insanity to
suppose that men will attend church now
to hear sermons on such books as Deuter-
onomy, Song of Songs. Esther, JONAH or
the Gospels, any more than they would to
hear sermons on Tobit, or Bel and the
Dragon.
(7.) Because this is already clearly ev-
ldenced in Germany, where not above FIVE
per cent. of the whole so-called Protes-
tant population attend church on the Sab
bath and where Socialism and Nihilsm
are the natural results
(o) Because as it is only by the aid Of
state funds that rationalism is able to live
In Germany and Holland, and as it will
only be by the Sustentation Fund it will
be able to exist here, it is the imperative
duty of every friend of the truth to with
draw from supporting such bulwark of
deadly error.
o. Because these doctrines are a
breach Of the Mutual Eligibility Act and
warrant the United Presbyterian, the
Irish Presbyterian, and the English Pres
bytterian Churches in raising the question
Of its continuance.
(lO.( Because, by allowing these teach
ings, the Free Church has sunk beneath
the level even of such Unitarians as Lard
ner and Charming, who would have repu-
dated them with horror.
(!D Because they are founded only on
c;onJectural criticism-a principle repu-
dated by all sound critics and scholars
and are maintained only by the profound
est ignorance Of the plainest Bible facts. "
I'adependent.