The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-11-03

dcau is conceded to be by long odds the
most formidable Of all DR.. Woodrow's
opponents, and the expectation was nat
urally raised that he would make the
great speech of the session. This PROV
cd true. His effort was really grand
onc-perhaps as superb Il specimen OF
augmentation and finished defamation
as was ever heard by any South Carroll
ma Synod. So eloquent was he at times
that the audience could not contain it.
self and indulged in cordial applause,
which. however. was quickly checked
by the alert Moderator. DR.. Girardcau
strenuously defended the Board Of Di-
rectors against the serious charges
which had been lodged against it, He
maintained that it was its duty and pre-
rogativc to scrutiniZe closely the teach
ingS Of every Professor in the Seminary.
If any Professor was ascertained to be
teaching the students doctrines not in
harmony with the revelations of Scrip
turc as interpreted in the standards of
the Presbyterian Church, then it was
clearly the duty Of the Board to make
enquiries, and, If necessary, to expel
such Professor. No trial was neces-
sary; no trial was possible. This being
true, how. he asked, could an impossi-
bility be construed as an act Of injustice
to the complainant? DR.. Girardeau
made clear and Succinct resume Of all
the proceedings in the case, from it's IN
ception to the present time. He stated
that when DR.. Woodrow was approach.
ed and questioned about his teachings
regarding the probable truth Of the ev-
olution hypothesis he declared his in
tention to continne to SO teach as long
as he remained Professor in the Semi
nary.
This brought DIR. Woodrow to his
feet, who emphatically said: "Mr. Mod
orator, the statement just made by DR..
Girardcau is incorrect. assert most
positively before this Synod that new
er, at any time or to any person, made
the affirmation ascribed to me- l never
declared that if | remained Professor in
the Seminary l wonId continue to teach
evolution, except in purely expository
way. did say | held to the belief
that the evolution hypothesis is proba-
bly, truc-and now say so.''
DR.. Girardcau proceeded by asserting
that out Of his mouth Dr.. Woodrow had
condemned himself. He had, the
speaker continued, placed himself in
antagonism to the Directors, to the
Synod, to the church and to the great
mass of Presbytcrians. lc not only
detcd them and insultcd them, refusing
to bow to their authority, but he actual
ly charged them with crimes, and COM
pared them to the inquistorial courts of
the Roman church. He defied and spit
upon item, and then complained Of in
Justice at their hands. "'rhis is
splendid exhibition Of pride, but |
doubt its plety," exclaimed the Or
ator.
1t is impossible in the brief limits Of
this rerort to reproduce any consider
able part OF this masterful effort 1t
seemed to settle the case against the
appellant.
Several other of the light-wcis sht theo-
logians repeated their prepared orations,
and everybody got tired. The question
was called for and the call overwhelm-
ingly sustained. A vote was then taken
on the question Of the adoption of the
two first sections Of the majority re-
port, which resulted as follows: Yeas
60. nays SO. Thus DR.. Woodrow's side
carried the day by majority Of II
votes. The vote was announced and
the Synod adjourned near midnight
to meet this morning at the usual
hours. :.
at 9:3O O'Clock this morning the
body came together again and the Gus
tomary routine work was quickly
disposed Of. Numerous committee re-
ports were submitted and adopted
Pending the consideration of these
papers the hour for the special order
arrived, and fve minutes recess was
taken preparatory to beginning the cen-
tennial celebration Of Purity Church
At II O'Clock the exercises were begun
with devotions. and the programme, as
previously agreed upon, was carried