Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-10-14
NOr CHARGED WITH HEREsY.
Real Facts I'm the AndOver Theological
Controversy.

A Chicago special says that severol Mas.
sachusetis men, prominent In the councils
Of the Congregational Church, are In the
city, and were interviewed to-day In re-
gard to the report that five professors OF
Andover Theological Seminary had been
charged with heresy. They pronounced
the report incorrect. and said the real facts
were these: At the founding OF the Sem.
mary the donors Of the funds drew 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 fiye
years. The real complaint now before the
Board OF Visitors accuses the live pr0fes-
sors, the editors 0f the AndOver ReCielc. OF
brcach OF trust, in that they are drawing
salaries under this pledge, while their teaclI-
ings do not conform to 1t. The professors
are EQbert {. Smyth. W. j. Tucker, George
Harris, Edward Y. Hincks, and John Gul-
liver. The Board Of Visitors has absolute
power over the affairs OF the seminary, and
the Supreme Court Of Massachusetts, has
decided that 10 appeal lies to the courts
from their decision a. such, though an aD-
peal may be taken on grounds OF error in
procedure and the visitors decision
declared void. Such reversal OF the
visitors decision practically amounts
TO sending the ease to them for a
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 rendered some
wears AGO in n similar case from AndOver.
II j. not necessary that complaint be made
to the Board OF Visitors. II is their power
and their duty to take the initiative when II
nay seem proper. They are explicitly
charged with that duty by the rules Of the
seminary. Thrce months ago tru u3tcc and
several graduates Of And0yer charged the
five professors named with breach OF
trust in drawing salaries from the
funds and not conforming TO their
pledges. The Board OF Visitors heard
the complaint, decided that the charges
ought 10 be considered. and summoned the
professors to appear on October 18th TO an
>WCr aud 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 pub
lie IN this controversy is the " Andoyer hy-
pothesis." as 1t is called. This is that
mans probation may continue after death;
that death does not cut of his last hopes
Of SalyatiOn that he may have another
chance. 4 his belief j. declared by its adj
heTents themselves to be secondary mat
ter, and they do not claim that it is absO-
lutely warranted by the inspired Word.
The conservatives, the compliments in
tins case, charge that the second-prOba-
tion" men are trying 10 introduce, and
are now teaching, an entirely new system
Of theology. They say the AndOyer creed
las been violated by them in some ten or
twelve particulars. They alege that the
teachings Of these professors tear all 10
pieces the received Congregational doe
trines OF fire. eternal punishment, the
atOnement, and the inspiration OF the
Scriptures.
At the Congregational Ministers Meeting
this morning the subject OF discussion was
Tie Des NOIneS Meeting Of the American
Board and the "AndOyer Hypothesis
Nearly all present were evidently OF the
conservative party. No one seemed TO
support Professor Smyth and his colleagues.
though few took the middle ground held
hy Dr. Lyman Albeit, OF the Christian
Union.
Quite a number Of gentlemen gave re-
ports Of the doings OF the Board. Some
doubt seemed to exist aS to the meaning TO
lie given the various resolutions passed at
Dies Moines. but a good minority thought it
4 substantial victory for the conservatives
that Professor Smyth was not reelected
upon the Prudential Committee. Among
those who spoke were Or. Quinn, OF DO.
yer, \. H.; Rev. NJ. Durham. Of Spring
field, Mass; Or. Packard, Of Boston; Or.
whitman, trustee. Of AndOyer; Mr..
Roberts, Of Oregon; Mr.. Penman, Of New
Hampshire DR.. Todd, OF New Haven;
DR.. SpeeI, Of Oberlin, and Drs. Goodwin,
Little. and Noble, OF this city. Nearly all
believed that the Andoyer party was badly
defeated,