Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-20
PREsBYTERIANs IN SESSION.

Prof. WOodrOw's Evolution Address
Thoroughly Discussed at Columbia.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Sept. 19.-The annual
meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Presbyterian Theological Seminary,
which has been in progress in this city
for two days and two nights, has ad-
journed. Eleven Of the thirteen directors
were in attendance. The recent adj
dress of Prof. James Woodrow.
on Evolution" which has attracted so
much notice, discussion of which con-
sumes a large portion of nearly every
Presbyterian publication in the United
States, especially in States whose synods
control the seminary, was discussed at
length. A paper was introduced strong
ly commencing DR.. Woodrow and
indorsing nearly all the posi-
tions taken by him in his
address on "EvOlutiOn." For this sub
stitute was offered which snIOined upon
DIR. Woodrow 10 cease teaching in the
seminary the view that evolution lis Gods
plan of creation and that the body Of
Adam was probably created from a beast.
This substitute was voted down. The fol-
lowing substitute was then introduced
and was adopted by vote of s to 30.
THE BOARDS WRITTEN VIEWS.
The board, having carefully considered the
address of DIR. Woodrow, published in pursu-
ance of the request of this board, adopts the
following:
Res07ged, That this board does hereDy ten
den to DR.. Woodrow its thanks for the ability
and faithfulness with which he has complied
with its request.
,. That in the judgment of this board the
relations subSlStlng between the teachings of
Scripture and the teachings of natural science
are plainly, correctly and satisfactorily set
forth in said address.
3. That the board is not prepared to concur
in the view expressed by Dir. Woodrow as to
the probable method Of the creation of Adams
body: yet in the judgment of the board there
is nothing in the doctrine of evolution. as de-
fined and limited by DR.. Woodrow, which ap-
pears inconsistent with perfect sOundness In
the faith.
4 That the board takes this occasion to re-
cord its ever growing sense of the wisdom Of
the synod in the establishment of the Perkins
PrOfessOrship of Natural Science in connection
with evolution, and of the importance of
such instruction as is thereby afforded that
our ministry may be better prepared to resist
the objec tions of inhdel scientists, and defend
the Scriptures against msidious charges.
THE MINORITY's PROTEST.
The minority then entered their protest
against the action of the board in refus-
ing to enjOin Prof. Woodrow not to teach
that evolution is Gods plan of creating,
and that the body of Adam was probably
evolved from lower animal. Among the
reasons given in the protest are:
That the view that the body of Adam was
evolved from lower animal and not formed
by supernatural act of God, is dangerous
and hurtful. That the theory that Adams
body was formed by the natural law of evolu-
tiOn. while Ewes was created by supernatural
act OF God, is contrary to our confession of
faith, as that confession o. faith has been and
is interprt ted by our church; and that advo-
cacy Of the views which haze received neither
the Endorsement OF the board nor
that of the synods having control
of the seminary, which have no authority from
the word of God, which tend to unsettle the
received Interpretation of many passages of
Scripture and to destroy the confidence of the
church in her doctrInal standards, which
have already produced so much evil,
will injure the seminary aud NAV rend
our church outright, and ought not to be
allowed.
The matter will be carried before the
four synods which control the seminary,
and will be adjudicated by them. These
are the synods of South Carolina, Geor.
gia Florida and Alabama.