National Republican., 1883-11-06
Interesting Examination Of Rev. DR.. Q. Thomas
by the Washington Presbytery
He Doubts the Authenticity Of Certain
Books Of the Scriptures,
HIS CandOr and Integrity Praised, but His Applica-
ton Unanimously Rejected,
Other business Transacted Mt the Meeting
Discussion ON DIR. BurdIcIS's Case.

church, on Ninth street, Rev. Joseph T.
Kelly moderator, aud Rev. DIR. Bittenger
clerk. The attendance of ministers and
eldors was quite large Upon the request of
Rev. DR.. Howe, for ten years pastor of the
Georgetown church, his pastoral relations
with the presbytery were dissolved. Mr.. f..
L. Moore a member of the committee ap-
pointed by the church to accompany DR..
Howe to the presbytery, read the resolutions
of Elder Greenleos adopted by tho church,
expressive of their high esteem of DIR. Howe
aud their regret at his departure. The mem
bers of the presbytery made appropriate re-
marks.
Rev. Messrs Chester and Wynkoop were
appointed o committee to draft appropriate
resolutions. Rev. DIR. Childs was designated
to preach in the West street church next
Sunday morning, and declare the pulpit
vacant. The session was given permission to
fill the pulpit until n new pastor was called.
Rev. DR.. Howe will connect himself with the
Congressional church, and goes from here to
Now London, Conn.,, whore he will be sta
toned.
Rev. DIR. G. Thomas, former Evangelical
Lutheran minister, of the synod of southern
Illinois, presented himself AS a candidate for
admission into the Presbyterian church and
the Washington city presbytery. The appli-
cant, who was present, was given an exposed
seat and examined at length by Rows Bit
tenger, Sunderland Chester, and others.
The following were some of the interroga-
tories propounded: What are your views on
atonementp "What are your views on tho
inspiration of the scriptures ~ "What is the
sacramento "Do you believe in total de-
pravity and original nj" The last question
was answered aflirmatively but the views of
the applicant on the inspiration of the scrip
lures differed from the church law, and
caused many questions to be propounded and
much argument.
Il do not believe that the songs of Solomon
nor the book of Jude were inspired p said
Rev. DIR. Thomas firmly.
DIR. Sunderland asked the applicant q few
questions relative to the causes of this belief
When the latter arose and reiterated his pre-
vious answer with tho remark, al do not
think the book of judo is entirely authen-
tic"
DIR. Sunderland-"Do you not think that
you are setting dangerous exampe2"
DR.. Thomas-''No, sir. l base my belief
on my individual Judgment and study"
DR.. Sunderland-"But don't you see that
your individual Judgment is going to tear the
Bible all to piecesP"
DR.. Thomas replied that he did not think
so, nor did he think further that o symbol of
faith can be established that all will believe.
DIR. Sunderland-"But you cannot treat the
inspired Bible as you would the works of
Shakespeare, Homer, or Milton. i ask for a
plain answer You doubt that two of the
books in the canon were inspired. What are
your views of Solomon's songs?"
DR.. Thomas" That they were not written
under the same inspiration as the other books
.of the Bible. accept the whole New Testa-
'ment, but have doubts in regard to Jude"
Tie moderator-"I will put tho question
direct: Do you belive that the Old and New
Testaments are the only infallible guide to
God"
DIR. Wyncoop (interiecting)-" cannot see
how man can be a Presbyterian minister
and not believe that the whole Bible was in
spired by GodW
The candidate replied that he had read and
studied the Bible and did not think that
churches should seek to take away individual
views on such matters. He was satisfied that
God had given the Bible as q whole by in
spiraton, yet he had doubts about tho songs
of Solomon.
A short discussion followed, and upon the
question being put to DIR. Thomas again if his
belief was final, he replied in firm voice
"That is my conclusion, and you must decide
my case by it. believe what I-have said."'
DR.. Wyncoop admired tho candOr and in
tegrity of the candidate, and said it was
praiseworthy. He then picked up the book
containing the profession of faith" of the
Presbyterian church, and asked DR.. Thomas
to take it and point out any other differences
between the articles and his belief
DIR. Thomas (reading from the book, "The
son is eternally bogotten of the father. Now,
/ believe that the word begotten is unneces-
sary. He is eternally equal to God, but
cannot understand the sonship unless 1t be in
subordination or relation. | might add that
l believe In coordination"
DR.. Sunderland. How can we be fully de-
pendent upon God for the air we breathe,
food, and everything, and still be free
agents?
DIR. Thomas. 1 have no affections to that
view, only it is difficult to grasp. l believe
God is a free agent.
At this point the subject Of the songs of
Solomon was again reverted to, and several
divines asked the candidate if he had settled
in his mind that they wore not the word of
God.
He replied in an earnest manner that rs
far as he had examined the evidence he
could not believe it was inspired The ques-
tion of doubt is ITO whether il was intended
in human or spiritual sense.
Dr. Sunderland said every man has right
to his own belief, and if his views do not
accord with an organization into which he
asks admission, the organization has n perfect
right TO refuse such admissio.i and 'such
action cannot be regarded as bigotry or mar
row mindedness, because this is court of
Jesus Christ"
The moderator requested Dr. Thomas to
retire while the vote on his admission was
being taken. The vote was by yeas and nays
and the application of Dr. Thomas for admis.
sion into the Presbyterian church was rejected
unanimously.
The certificate of Rev. James NJ. Nourse, of
tho synod of Athens, Ohio, was received, and
that gentleman, who was present, elected a
member of the presbytery of this city. Tho
call of the church at Darnestown, Md. was
then read 1t stated that the congregation
was hourishing and would pay its pastor $500
in regular quarterly payments. Tho paper
was placed la the hands of DIR. NOurse, who
started while later to assume his new
charge. sH r.
on motion, Rows Wyncoop, French, Bit
tongor, and Riddle were appointed COM
mittee TO visit Jamestown, Md, Nov. IL, at
2 o'clock, and conduct the installation cere-
monies.
Reference was here made to the case of
Rev. DIR. Il, III. BuTdick, which drew forth
the announcement that he was still confined
TO his homo by sickness. A request was made
that tho presbytery grant him permission to
preach pending the investigation, provided
he becomes well enough.
Another delegate stated that DIR. Burdick's
physician was of the opinion that tho charges
against him were preying on his mind.
DIR. Bartlett favored granting the permis-
sion, and argued that DR.. Burdick had made
himself clear to the presbytery in the matter
complained Of
DR.. Chester objected, and said that DR..
Burdick had been examined twice and utterly
failed to show the necessary preparation for
the Presbyterian ministry. These adjourned
meetings have been held for the purpose of
accommodating him, "and object" said DIR.
4 +