The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-04-02
Is He a Hereticg
The augusta Chronicle and Constitu-
tionaist SAYS:

The augusta Chronicle and Constitu'
tionalst says:
The delegates from this city to the
meeting of the Augusta Presbytery at
Union Point returned yesterday. A full
attendance of the churches was had.
Rev. Donald Mcqueen, of Milledgeville,
was Moderator, and Rev. j. b. Morton,
of Sparta, Clerk of the Presbytery. The
usual statistical reports from the differ.
ent churches were read, and gratifying
accounts of progress and growth came
from nearly every one.
The principal matter OF business be-
fore the meeting was the consideration
of a communication from Dr.. james
Woodrow, late professor in the Columbia
Seminary. 1t was to the effect that
rumors in the public journals and else,
where were abroad charging him with
heresy. That as this is grave offence
in the Presbyterian church, he asked his
brethren of the Presbytery to inquire
into the matter and if they found the
rumors were we'll founded to prepare
charges against him and try him for that
offence.
The Presbytery having no discretion in
the matter but to take action upon the
communication as requested, appointed a
committee, consisting of Rev. d; M.
Newton, of Union Point; Rev. VIM.
Adams, Rev. G. T. Goetchius and Mr.:
James w. Wallace, of Augusta, and
Col. ]. A. Billups of Madison, to exam
ine into the rumors complained OF and,
if they found that they justified legal
proceedings, to report the same to the
Presbytery. -,
This was the only action that could be
taken Yesterday and the status of the
case now seems to be about this: Or.
Woodrow was found by the four Synods,
who had Jurisdiction over him as pro-
fessor of the Columbia Theological Sem.
mary, to be interpreting the teaching of
the Scriptures upon the question of Evo'
luton, not in accordance with their ideas.
Accordingly they instructed the directors
of the Seminary to take steps to prevent
this teaching. The measure adopted to
secure this end was the removal of DIR.
Woodrow from the professors. chair.
The ground that DR.. Woodrow now
takes is that this action implied that ne
was guilty of heresy. This, however, it
is said. does not necessarily follow, for
the book of church order draws distinc'
ton between heresy and error, and by
many leading clergymen it is maintained
that DIR. Woodrow's offence does not
amount to heresy, but is simply error in
his Interpretation of the Scriptures upon
the subject of the creation. Believing
his teaching to be error, however, they
were justified in insisting that it should
not be continued in the Seminary.
Whether it was error or heresy is the
question to be tried, and the subject be.
fore the committee for investigation. The
intelligence, prudence and Christian
character of the committee give assu-
rance that the most ample justice will be
done both DR.. Woodrow and the Synods:
They have this predicament TO contend
with: If they sustain DIR. Woodrow
thew condemn the action of the Syn
DDS.
In declaring DR.. Woodrow a hereto
they have his reputation, intelligence,
learning and Christian character to bear
in mind. The committee vii! enter upon
the work at once and will strive to arrive
at a just conclusion.
An adjourned meeting Of the Presby-
terry will be held in this city at an early
day to receive the report of the commit
tee, and try the charges preferred against
DIR. Woodrow. The session will be full
of interest, and will attract much atten.
ton not only from members of the de-
nomination, but the public generally.