The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-09-08
THOMAS TRIAL.

CHICAGO, Sept. 7.-Interest in the
Thomas heresy trial, which was less than
expected from the start has been decreas-
ed further by the apparent 1istlessness of
the prosecution and by the removal of the
sessions from the central location at the
Methodist church block to the Centenary
church about mile and a half from town.
The prosecutor, DIR. Parkhurst, presented
revised charges, which are in substance
that the defendant was teacher first of
doctrines contrary to articles of religion
and the Methodist church as set forth in
the authorized book of discipline; second,
of doctrines contrary to the established
doctrine and belief of the church. The
specifications declare that DR.. Thomas de-
nies the inspiration and authority of certain
authority of certain parts of fhe Old Testa-
ment in spite of the fifth article of religion
set forth in the book of Discipline; that he
denies the doctrine Of atonement set forth
in the second and twentieth articles, that
he denies the existence of eternal punish
ment and teaches probabation after death.
DR.. Bennett presented new demurrer to
the charges which was in substance the
same as the preceding one. DIR. Park
hurst made a reioinder and considerable
argument ensued as to the the line of evi-
dence and standards of doctrine.
Finally, Elder Willing ordered the three
charges stricken out and overruled the de
murrer to the first two. DR.. Thomas then
pleaded not guilty and several witnesses
were examined
CHICAGO, Sept. SIN the Thomas
heresy trial to day, several witnesses were
examined as to conversation with him and
generally sustained the points set forth in
the charges and specifications. Sophia A.
Philips testified that in a ladies' special
meeting before the Conference of 1879, DR..
Thamas answering questions as to the
blood of the lamb, said it had no signifi-
canoe that we overcome not through the
blood, but through the love of the lamb
Mrs. Francis W. Benjamin testified to
the same effect, and that DIR. Thomas had
said it was character, not blood, that we
want, and that he said no sane man could
believe the bible as a whole.
Mrs. NJ. E. Garrett said she once told
Dr. Thomas that he had never preached
Christ as loving Savior, but had held
him up alongside of Confucius and
Buddha and other philosophers, the de-
fendant had replied that he did not want
a hobby in preaching Christ. There were
enough hobbies around now; that his life
and example were enough; that the death
OF christ was ike the OoaLn Oh SLeE)nen.
He died martyr to the cause. Respect
ing the inspiration he did not believe the
whole Bible was inspired, or that Joshu&'s
sun stood still, or that Job ever lived and
that the idea of endless punishment was
all bosh.
Mr.. Bennett attorney for defense, said
they would admit certain published conver
satiOns for the sake of saving time. The
prosecution rested their case here.
DR.. Thomas then took the stand. His
testimony related chiefly to the preachers
meeting of March 81, '79. When the ques-
ton of atonement was considered, he re-
peated his statements made at that time;
that Christ was just like the father
in the matter of atonement; that he could |
not suffer the literal penalty; not being a
sinner, he could not suffer as one; that if |
the idea of literal penalty was left out of
the creeds, it would take away great
block to thousands of sincere
minds.
DR.. Parkhurst objected to much of the
defendants testimony and tried to have
him restricted to recital of his own words
in conversation.
Elder Willing however, gave generous
scope to the testimony.