Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-10-23
AGAINST EVOLUTION.

AGAINST EVOLUTION.
The Presbytery of Atlanta is the largest
Presbytery in the Synod of Georgia, which
is one of the four Synods controlling the
Theological Seminary in Columbia. The
recent session of the Synod considered the
late action of the Board of Directors of the
Seminary on the subject of Evolution, and
by vote of thirty two to one, the following
resolution was adopted:
"Resolued, That Atlanta Presbytery most
heartily approves the action of DR.. Stacy
and G. w. Scott, members of the Board OF
Directors of Columbia Theological Semina-
ry (and of this Presbytery) in entering their
protest to the action of the majority of the
Board in relation to the teaching of Evolu-
tion in said Seminary; which said action
by the majority IS most enaphatically con-
denaned."
The Presbytery also adopted an overture
to the Synod of Georgia, earnestly request
ing said "Synod to express disapprobation
of such teaching, and to take whatever steps
may be necessary to prevent it," For this
course they give six reasons, viz:
l. Because Evolution is All improved sci
entific hypothesis. ..
2. Because, even in the form presented
in the address, the doctrine brings upon our
church much of the odium that attaches to
the doctrine in it's worst form.
\ 8. Because the Synod cannot afford to
make itself responsible for this doctrine in
any of its forms.
4. Because it is founded upon mode OF
interpreting the Scriptures which tends
greatly to unsettle the confidence of our peo-
pie in the correctness Of the word of God,
and sets to our theological students dan
gerous example in eXegesis.
5. Because it will unnecessarily agitate
and damage our church by an excited and
protracted controversy.
6. Because it is contrary to the sense in
which our standards have always been un-
derstOod, and would make necessary re-
statement of some Of our doctrines.
A somewhat lively time is expected in
the Synod of Georgia, which meets at Ma
rietta in about week. The advocates OF
the Evolution theory are already beginning
to evade the question by hiding behind
technicalities. p
Besides the discussion of this question in
the ecclesiastical courts of the Presbyterian
church, the controversy is attracting the
attention of the press of that denomination,
North and South, the denominational pa
pers devoting considerable space to it. As
showing what may be the tendency Of this
discussion, we clip the following from the
New York Observer:
The Southern Presbyterian church is great
ly exercised over the state Of things in the
Columbia Seminary. The Louisville Chris
hap Observer says the action of the Direc-
tors sustaining Professor Woodrow will be
received with "sadness by multitudes in our
church."
One of the Directors writes to us that it
is not probable that the action of the Board
will be reviewed by the Synods having the
Seminary under their care.
Another Director writes to US that the
action aCM undoubtedly be reviewed by the
Synods.
The Central Presbyterian, of October l,
has more than twelve articles on the subject
of Professor WoodroW's animal Theology,
and shows intense opposition to the new
departure. One writer says: A minister
who expected at once to enter upon thework
of an evangelist, for which he is eminently
fitted, told his Presbytery that he could not
enter upon the work if the Synod of South
Carolina put a monkey on her standard. A
number of anti-fraternal men have said and
are saying: "Organic union with the North
ern church is preferable to tadpole Theol-
ogy."
The Observer commenting on this latter
statement says:
No great compliment to the Northern
church is this last remark, but the writer of
it may be sure that union with the North
ern church, after the tadpole Theology, as
he calls it, is incorporated into the South
ern, will be as far off as the East is from the
West. The same paper says the discussion
must now 20 on until "it has been aoaequiv-
ocally and Enthusiastically made known that
the unscriptural and unscientific theory of
the evolution of mans body will not be
taught in our theological schools"