The Portland daily press., 1886-10-12
THE ANDovER DISCUSSION.
Latest Phase Of the Disagreement
Among congregatIonaIists.

CHICAGO, ILL.,, Oct. 11.-Several Massachu-
sets men prominent in the councils Of the
Congregational church are in the city, and
were interviewed today in regard to the re-
port that five professors of Andover Theo-
logical Seminary had been charged with
heresy. They pronounced the report incOr-
rect, and said the real facts were these: at
the founding out of the seminary the donors
of the funds drew up very clear and sharp
creed. Every professor employed is required
to pledge adherence to this creed on entering
on his duties, and to renew this pledge every
five years. The real complaint now before
the Board of Visitors accuses five
professors, editors Of the Andover Review,
Of breach of trust in that they are
drawing salaries under this pledge while
their teachings do not conform to it: The
professors are Egbert c. Smyth, w j..
Tucker, Geo. Harris, Edward Y. Hincks and
John Gulliyer.
The Board of Visitors has absolute power
over the affairs of the. seminary, and the
Supreme Court of Massachusetts, has decided
that no appeal lies to the courts from their
decision as such, though an appeal may be
taken on the ground of an error in pro-
cedure and the visitors decision declared
void. Such reversal of the visitors decision
practically amounts to sending the case to
them for new trial, as they may at once
take up the same charges against the same
offenders and prosecute them to an issue.
This decision Of the Supreme Court was rem
dered some years ago in similar case from
Andover
1t is not necessary that complaint be made
to the Board of Visitors. It is in their
power and their duty to take the initiative
when it may seem proper. Ihey are ex-
plicitly charged with that duty by the rules
of the seminary.
Three months ago a trustee and several
graduates of Andover charged the five pro
fessors named with breach of trust in
drawing their salaries from the FUNDS ana
not conforming to their pledges. The Board
of Visitors heard the complaint and decided
that the charges ought to be considered, and
summoned the professors to appear on Octo-
Der 25th to answer and have preliminary
hearing The professors deny the power OF
the visitors to hear the complaint. and there
the matter rests at present.
The doctrinal point that has been most
prominently before the public in this. con-
troversy is the "Andover hypothesis asit
is called. This is, that mans probation may
continue after death; that death does not
cut off his last hopes of salvation; that he
may have another chance. This belief is
declared by its adherents to be secondary
matter, and they do not claim ii is absolutely
warranted by the inspired Word. They
allege that the teaching of these professors
tears all to pieces the received Congrega-
ti0nal doctrines of fire, eternal punishment,
Scriptures,
AT the Congregational ministers meeting
this morning the subject of discussion was
1.-The Des Moines Meeting of the American
Board and the .Andover hypothesis
Nearly ali present were evidently of the
conservative party. Quite number of
gentlemen have reports of the doings of the
board Some doubt seems to exist as to the
meaning to be given the various resolutions
passed at Des Moines, but good majority
thought it a substantial victory for the con-
servatives that Prof. Smyth was not re-
elected upon the prudential committee.
Among those who were DR.. Qun of Dover.
N. H.; Rev. M. Burnham of Springfield,
Mass. DR.. Packard of Boston; DR.. Will
liams, a trustee of Andover; Mr.. Roberts of
Oregon, Mr.. Penniman of New Hampshire,
DR.. Todd Of New Haven, Dr. Speer Of Ober--
lin. and Drs. Goodwin, Little and Noble of
this oitv