New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-29
by the earthquake and thanked those who contributed
toward the relief Of the people.
THE ANDOVER CONTROVERSY.
TRIAL BEFORE THE BOARD OF VISITORS.

ARGUMENT FOR THE ACCUSED PROFESSORS BY PRO- |
FTssoR )wIGHT-PROFEssoR sMYTHs DEFENCE.
Boston, Dec % (SpeciaD.The hearing on the charges
preferred against Professors smyth, Tucker Harris
Kinks and Churchill Of the Andover Theological semina
~ begun to-day at the United States Hotel before
the Board OF visorsPrcsident Seelye, OF Amherst oo
lege; Dr. william T. Eusts and Mr.. Marshal. Of Lowell
The attendance of spectators large the hearing
was public. Among others present were William Bar
rows Dr. +. T. Eastman. Professor T. W. Bickneii the
Rev. Dr. j. L. Whrow, the Rev. Dr. S. f. Herrickand Dr.
Smith, of the American Board. The complanants were
represented by Judge L. lockwood Hoar, Judge Asa
French and Mr. wellman and the respondents, ali OF
whom we're present had for counsel william CASTOR and
Charles Theodore Russell, OF Boston, Professor Dwight,
of New York. and Professor Baldwin. of New-Haven
After some premnaries Professor Dwight opened the
case for the respondents reading from print long state
ment position OF the respondents, enthusiastically
and legally, quoting numerous decisions In support OF
their claim He likened church to club as a voluntary
association in this country The greatest accusation that
brought against the respondents is the violation OF
trust NJ ching criminal II is merely civil inquiry
into the carrying the provisions Of the requests OF
men now dead
Professor Dwight then turned the question OF labil
ity TO further litigation by other alumni should the com
plants fail here In law judgment barred further
action; the Board there no bar to other
alumni renewing the attack He pointed out that there
was specification the first three charges read at the
first hearing He then enumerated the causes for the
discharge Of professors by the trustees and called atten
ton to a by Judge Hoar this morning that there
was no heresy here" Then" said Professor
Dwight what was there Simply heterodoxy, and that
is not directly charged 1t is only assumed
to have been previously charged. 1t is described
ouasipena offence but does appear here at least
it vague 1t does not as violation OF the
Andover creed lite true meaning is deviation from GER
tain acknowledged opinions by few people. The creed
of the founders has nothing to do with 1t now lie then
diated on the meaning of charitable trust drawing
from the Roman and English laws He claimed that tho
substance of the Andover should be taken lib
eral LITERAL and quoted from several decisions
in support the claim that the object of the orig
inal Andover Seminary was 10 disseminate the
Christian religion Nothing said about Calvnism.
That simply period in religion, and Calvin. though
advocating his doctrine nfable did acknowledge that
he had been full communion with God He believed
that Calvin and Luther If they had lived till now would
have accepted new light There such thing
panants would concede to Mr. smyth the very liberal
views he had already enjoyed himself
evidence said Professor BALDWIN, would he regard
ing the main point TO be considered by the Board OF V
ors-whetner Dr. smyth has in ahy manner violated by
trustees OF Phillips Academy ana TO Tie creed anu stat
utes -, ~,
Professor EgDert c. smyth then addressed the Board
giving statement of his views and OF his reasons Tor mold
ing them lie understood the sole issue TO he one OF he
erodoXy and not OF neBect OF Official duties 10
whatever criticisms the creed fairly exposed ne hos
maintains and incucaes that does not bind the seln
nary TO an anliquated phase Oh oelei n . ma On Tue
which are now necessary and leaves path for such
the future may require He does not appear ne sad us
understood without careful study than the critics
have really given It, and whatever else 1t rlay be IL Is
not the symbol of antiquated phase OF orthodoxy
Drjsoned theology. Rightly interpreted the creed
IS not onciad The founders have not fact tied up
Andover seminary in the way which Is now insisted
uPoit Tho reSrt nj tlcse Nears OF toll and
oOoqOy, for those who may come after him 1.-THE the
right of reverent scholarship IN ., tne stu ia
Gods Word But when every indication from the
founders disregarded which points to that nober con
cepton of the function of the creed the present
is still utterly futile and void IL must De proved hat no
held an alleged belief and that that belief Is contrary TO
the creed He taught the fundamental principles OF te
Gospel expressed in the creed, according 10 te pest
light that God him and "a TO errors by "nch history
all along endeavored 10 show what neglected element OF
GoW th nsl'' heresg may be healed and com
verted " hv larger trnth rather than merely to
anagonize it, He would not he said draw any fine or
artificial distinction between his utterances in nc Rcr1e
contrary the creed he should not plead that he has
pn or s a hal e s ed or e
tar. he Is 70 the 1Sad psed Is nontrary
TO the creed actually violates or intends TO violate his
obligations Brown professor IN NE theo ait
the charges in detail The first one was that ne pc
a9d practice but It is aliOe md untrHstworihy
of It's religious teachings In repy 10 IL, ne aSked
what there anything which has been brought Tor,
ward suggested which either what Is charged
that there is anything IN The article or citation Woh
affords the slightest presumption that ne mus
that anything which he teaches or i9I when no Is re-
spolsble contrary to tho creed Inc cidtIOns IAN,
every one the charge and are wholly deia'eu
by being mserably garfield When taken IN ther proper
relations they into positive rciutauon OF 'ne
charge. 49, 4. a. ,o,,ro 30
Christ the Professor read another part OF me article
ouofcd in the charge, his purpose being 10 snow
a statement that Christ was true God ana man vi the
third charge to mans power 10 repent Professor
smyth then spoke, claiming tbat the quotations uo ~,
represent his fairly, aud asking what there Is III an
that is adduced which shows any eontraey OF OPINION 10
the statements III the creed lie mas nowhere aeneu
mans Tree moral agency Progressive orthodoxy recog,
Mics mans responsibility for his sins The Fundamental
priucipe OF the Book in the creed OF the Andoyer
LorIni unrY