Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-12
A MEETING
OF Congregational Ministers Held at
ChicasO-An Interesting Interview
With Several Visitors.

CHICAGO, Oct IL.
Several Massachusetts men, prominent in
the councils of the Congregational church,
are in the city and were interviewed today in
regard TO report that five professors of An
dover Theological Seminary had been charged
with heresy. They pronounced the report
incorrect and said the real facts we're these
At the founding of the seminary, the donors
of the funds drew up very clear and sharp
creed, Every professor employed is reQuir-
ed to pledge adherence to this creed on enter.
ing upon his duties and renew this pledge
every five years. The real complaint now
before the board of visitors accuses fve pro
fessors, editors of the Andover Review, of a
breach of trust, in that they are drawing a
salary under this pledge while their teach
ings do not conform to it. The professors
are Egbert c. Smyth, w. j. Tucker, Geo.
Hains, E. Y. Hincks and Jno. Gulliver. 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
grounds of error in procedure and the Wis
itors decision is declared void. Such re-
versal of the visitors decision practically
amounts to sending the case to them for q
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
years ago in similar case from Andover.
1t is not necessary that complaint be made
of the visitors. 1t is their power and their
duty to take an initiative when it may seem
proper. They are explicitly charged with
that duty by the rules of the seminary.
Three months ago trustee and several grad
H.. u. Al
named with breach of trust, in drawing sal
aries from the funds and not conforming to
their pledges. The board of visitors heard
the complaint, decided the charges ought to
be considered and summoned the professors
to appear on Oct. 25th, to answer and have
preliminary hearing.
The professors deny the power of visitors
to hear the complaint and there the matter
rests at present. The doctrinal point that
has been the most prominent befor the public
in this controversy is "Andover hypothesis, "
as it is called, and this is that mans proba
ton may continue after death, and that death
does not cut of his last hope of salvation but
that he may have another chance. This be-
| lief is declared by its adherents themselves
to be secondary matter, and they do not claim
| that 1t is absolutely warranted by the inspired
word, but allege that the teachings of these
| professors tear all to pieces that received by
Congregational doctrines Of fire, eternal pun
| ishment, and the atonemeut and inspiration
of scriptures.
At the Congregational ministers meeting
this morning the subject of discussion wa'
the Des Moines meeting of the American
board and "Andover hypothesis. Nearly
all present were evidently of the conserva
tive party. Quite number of gentlemen
favor the doings of the board. Some doub
seems to exist as to the meaning to be giver
various resolutions passed at Des Moines
but good majority thought it a substantial
victory for the conservatives that Prot
Smyth was not reelected upon the pruden
tial committee. Among those who spok
DIR. Quin of Dover, N. H., DIR. Packard o
| Boston. DR.. Williams, a trustee of Andover