The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-21
me Free Church Assembly en- Profess
sors Smith and Bruce

On Thursday, May 25th, the overtures con-
Cerning the alleged heretical publications of
Professors Robertson Smith and Bruce were
taken up IN the Free Church Assembly of Scot
land. One was from the Presbytery of Dor
noch, asking for an inquiry into the character
of the books of the reverend professors The
other from the Presbytery of Inverarv. praving
that the pure doctrine of the Church might be
indicated In relation to these cases. Mr.. Nc.
Kay, who supported the Dornoch overture. said
Prot. Bruce indicated in his book that in any
confession he would draw up he would not in
clude the doctrine of the Fall" Mr.. w. Bal
four, of Edinburgh, moved a special committee
to examine the books, hear the authors, and re-
port to the next Assembly. In support of his
motion, he argued that Professor Bruce smoke of
the Fall IN way that was hardly consistent
with any sound belief in that doctrine; that he
sought TO eliminate from the Old Testament
righteousness In the sense of retributive JUS
tlce, ard, therefore, the necess ty of satisfac
ton as ground for the redemption that he
thus swept away the whole sacrifcial worsbin of
the Old Testament and the expiatorv character
of the sacrifice of Christ and that he put the
death of Christ upon the footing merely of an
act of self sacrificing love. He admitted that
there was some danger of injustice being done in
the matter by the way this had come before the
Church Courts; but he thought, under his
motion, Professor Bruce and Dr. Robertson
Smith would have every opportunity for giving
needed explanations. He had spoken to DR..
Bruce, and, while the explanations he gave had
not satisfied him they showed him that Dr.
Bruce was not so far wrong as he imagined.
When MIR. Balfour sat down, a member in
quired why he had said nothing about Professor
Smiths book. serious charge had been
brought against it, yet not word was said
about it. Principal Rainy moved that, under
the circumstances, it is not expedient to take any
action in the line indicated by the overture;
Concerning the book of Professor Smith. he said
the last Assembly had come to a sufficiently
emphatic declaration and he thought the matter
ought to be allowed to rest. In regard to DR.
Bruce's book, he had read it with admiration
for more than its literary ability. He was pre-.
pared very decidedly to say that he did not see
In that book any declaration any sentence or
expression of opinion which appeared to him 10
furnish ground for judicial action or with res
pect to which he believed that judicial action
could possibly succeed. Sir Henry Moncreif
appeared as the seconder of Principal Rainv's
motion. He had also read Professor Bruce's
o3ok ana ,! had failed to see any paragraph on
which Judicial action could be based and IL
would take much argument to make him sae
such paragraph. In regard to Professor Smith
he did not think that the matter was important
enough for either the Assembly or Presbvterv
to deal with 1t. Dr. Thomas Smith objected 10
the Rainy method of shutting out future action
IN these cases, and, accordingly, moved that the
Assembly does not consider that present action
Is expedlent, but trusts that God will throw
light upon the path he desires the Church TO
follow. There was another motion, by Mr..
Smith, of Tarland, declaring present action in.
expedlent, but leaving the matter to be dealt
with by the Presbyteries of Edinburgh and
Glasgow, DR. Begg announced that he should
support the motion proposing action. Before
the vote was taken Mr.. Balfour Withdrew his
motion, in favor Of Mr.. Smiths, and Princinal
Ralneys was amended, so as to make il saw
that 1t is not expedlent for the Assembly" 70
take any action. The vote was bet yeen the
Rainy, and the Smith (of Tarland) motions
there being majority of 2l3 for the former in
a total vote of50l.
The question of instrumental music was raised
| by number of overtures FIVE in favor and two
against, and petitions from two or three conpre-
cations to be permitted to use the organ. DR.
| Begg took determined stand against the in
nov alton, and there were various motions and
much debate, ending, finally, in the adoption of
motion by DR.. Adam to appoint a special COM
mlttee TO consider the subject and report tn navt
Assembly. The final division was between
this motion and a motion to give congregations
liberty to act as they see fit in the matter. DR.
Adam.s motion being adopted by a majority of
6l. The subject of modifying the formula Of
subscription for deacons came up on overtnres
and motion to dismiss the whole matte~
offered by DR.. Begg, and another bv Sir Henri
Moncrelf to refer 1t to committee were di3
cussed, the latter being carried by vote of ia