New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-08
DOCTRINE OF PROBATION.
DEBATE IN THE BOARD OF MISSIONS.
THE POSITION OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
UNCHANGED ny THE CONTEST.
rnY IELEGRAPa ruE TRIBUNE

UNCHANGED ny THE CONTEST.
TBY IEIEGRAPL 10 LIE TRIBUNE.
DIES MONIES, Oct. THE great theological
debate which the Congregationasts have ahtepa-
ing for loug time place today in the American
BOARD of Missions II ragged all day with the
vgor OF political contest. though with the
rancor OF partisan politics soitened somewhat oy TO-
lgious courtesy The battle was precipitatcd this
morning by report OF the committee which had been
reviewing the work OF the Prudential Committee as
described by Secretary Alden President Bartlett oil
Dartmouth College, VINO read the report i"''o
duced resolution approving the action VI
the Prudential Committee In rejecting missionary can
didates had doubts about the question OF iuture
probation. Tho resolution not strong, but IL M
mi,akably sustained the position that the Pruhehti
Committee can pass theological questions Professor
f. C. smyth, OF Andover. William II. Ward, of Ihe Nee
York Independent the Rev. Newman snyth OF new
Haven; the Rev. DIR. Lyman Abbott Editor OF me Ne"-
York Christian Union. led tho Tight for the ne" opnons
There were three ca.ses Of controversasts present
to-day: those who believe In future probation or nave
doubts about 1t those who do not believe In H. anu
,bose who naa, no opnon upon It, but think the matter
4. foreign to the work OF the Board ana
ought not to be considered at this meeting. 90
the fight was complicated and the main question was
not discussed on its merits. Many conservatives VINO
hold the old doctrine opposed 10 taxing any
action here that would seem to maintain the right
cal test Of . candidates qualification for mission
work So with this com pllcation the fight began Pro-
sssor Smyth OF Andover made speech In FAVOR
largeneas of opinion and liberation OF dnerouces III
minor matters He asserted that this question OF pro-
baton only OF secondary Importance ana the boar
could afford to adopt harsh and exciusvea pocJ
as that proposed. He spoke with great emotion ana
produced deep impression. Tho Rev. DR.. Ward of The
Ne,v- York Independent. was sharp. Impatient
and some what sarcastic in his strictnres
upon the school men, declaring that tney
were trying to abridge free thought and check the
progress OF the Church The men who represent what
i, called the new departure stand for hborality OF
opinion pon-essential points
The Rev. Newman smyth. OF ew-Hayen' made an
impressive speech protesting against any un-cathohc
and ntolerant action by the Board. lie urged the as
astrous effect 1t would have upon young men VINO "ero
LOOKING toward mission heds. and upon the Church III
general this matter OF speculation should De SCI
up forbidden dogma lie was loudly cheered "nen
he said:
avon can't shut us out Of the church. You can't
keen us out For we Will appeal again and again. TIL
with larger faith and charity you admit us when we
come asking only to be allowed to preach common
Christ and saviour"
1t was plain that the majority OF the Board ana
the audience were strong against the new de-
parture men. The CONSERVATIVE were
applauded to tho echo Some oil the
old school men vigorous In their condemnation OF
the new views one enthusiastic member compared
them to the Southern rebels. who required the Union
armies before they would be put down. The more In
tense conservatives freely expressed the opn-
ion that no man. however Otherwise we'll
qualified, ought to be allowed to preach as
missionary If he had any doubts about the fact that
the heather who had heard OF Christ and uled
centuries ago were everlastingy damned.
The venerable Mark Hopkins, who was hcld In tender
regard by the warning factions tried at last to pour
oil on the troubled and succeeded 80 far that the
final vote on the resolution Of approval OF the Prudeh
tal Committee should be taken viva voce, requiring no
more to 20 record way that might Do unpcasah
and he misunderstood. A..
To sum up. The Board refused to pass the
plaln spoken resolution Of the Rev. DR.. NoDie, vi
Chicago committing the Board Enthusiastically against
probation II pass substitute offered ny Presldeht
Chaplin, OF Beoit COLLEGE, which Is shrewdy wordeu
and simply approves the action OF the committee III
guarding against "a dangerous tendency In con,
uection with the doctrine OF probation Botn
sides will undoubtedly claim under III the
compromise ana guard against SUBSEQUENT trouble
they decided advise the Prudential Committee 10
leave theological questions alone "neheNeI
,tnSSborn kO' fact stood all the time in the
way of the old school; namely, men Ike myth hoains
country complained. why then set
up different standard for mission
arrest Great excitement prevailed throughout the
entire debate which lasted eight hours. Every
inch OF taken and men leaned forward eager
every word with frequent shouts OF approval
or dsspproval Strangely enough was the conserva
tive West against the radical East for the West was al
most solid for the old-schoOl doctrlnes