The Wilmingtonian., 1886-11-06
PRICETWOCENTS.
Presbyterians and Evolution.

ITeSDybeflanS ana GFOiutlOns
The inevitable onward movement, the
march of ideas the result of honest Inquiry
is knocking aloud at the doors of orthodox
Presby t-rianism. What is to be be-
lieved' and "what is it to be accepted" are
questions that the professors in the leading
theological schools find themselves moved to
answer.
DR.. Woodrow, is the president of Columbia
Is. c. Theological Seminary, and also occu-
pies the chair of Natural Science in connec-
tion with Revelation, in that school.
He is cited before his Presbyterian breth-
rem on account of certain alleged heretical
views relating to the origin of Adam and his
ascription of that origin to evolutional
theories Identical with parwin's doctrin 's.
DR.. Woodrow's alleged heresy is embodied
in the following assertions which were given
out to his students at Colombia in the regu-
lar lecture course.
"The Scriptures do not teach Coils mode
of creation. They teach the fact, but not
the method. Neither the hypothesis of i'm.
mediate creation nor the hypothesis of crea-
tion by evolution can contradict the Scrip
lures. Every word of the sacred Scriptures
is absolutely tue To the Christian believer
it is immaterial what scientific views lie may
hold, provided such views do not condradict
the Scriptures"
The maj ,rity of the local body of Presby-
terian synods (there are four having juris-
| dction over Columbia CollegeJ having ask
| ed the doctor to resign. He has refused.
And now the governors of the school have
| proceeded to close it as the only method by
which they see their way of attail ing their
nd.
1t is remembered that not very long ago,
at certain crisis, DR.. Mac Arthur, the noted
Baptist n mister of Calvary Church, New York
| City said -
"For myself, should cease to hold the
views touching the inspiration of the Scrip
cures, the yicarious a'onement of Christ and
ther doctrines of evangelical Christianity
should give up my Christian name. When
step off the platform touching baptism, the
Lords Supper, and any distinctively Baptist
views on which stood when received or.
tina,i IN as a Baptist minister, shall give
up my demo uinational name as a Baptist
all r spons;bility for my acts. Common
honesty requires that when a minister has
abandoned the views on profession of which
he received denominational recognition, he
should no longer enjoy tue emoluments and
honOrs of that denomination. How man
can wear his church's armor while he is
,tabbing her to the heart is more than an
honest man can understand The maligned
politician is above such unmanlness.
must say as the years advance hold my Or
\ dinat'on VOWS with a tirnier grasp aud tell
derer love.I believe in every drop of blood in
the old, the Blessed B in the old gospel
and the old methods of winning men to God,
etc, ETC."
Now Dr.. Woodrow pers stentIy refuses 10
resign from the emoluments he holds through
the fact of his ordination VOWS.
His position is difficult to understand and
is quite open to all the criticisms that his
persistency calls down upon him.
The logic of his position is not that he may
hold and teach more M the natically exact
expoundiugs of the excgesis of Scripture,
but distinctvey that he teaches his classes
in the Theological Seminary views not in
consonance with those by which he attained
ordination in the P. esbyterian denomination,
the appointment of the presidency OF
Columbia Theological Seminary, and the
chair OF National Science Tin connection with
RevtlatiOl) in that school.