The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-25
Probation and Foreign Missions.

Probation and Foreign Missions.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
NEW YORK, July % congregational theologi-
cal Circles have been pretty thoroughly stirred
mp by discussions over the doctrinal basis on
which the American Board of Foreign Missions
should be conducted. The trouble arose out of
the action of the executive committee Of that
body in refusing to commission applicants for
missionary work on account of their loose inter
pfetatien of the doctrine of probation. Strange
as it may seem, two of the rejected candidates
are graduates in good standing from the An
dover Theological Seminary, and another from
the divinity school at Yale. There are several
others with equally respectable credentials as to
their Christianity who impute their rejection to
the same cause but the issue centers arouna tbs
three first mentioned, because the committee dis
tinctly stated in their cases the doctrinal reason
for its action. 1t is fight between the Joseph
Cook party and the rest of the denomination,
and the feeling engendered Is really
bitter. During many years past the Congrega-
tionalists have been growing to liberal view of
probation, and to-day the vast majority of the
churches hold that probation is settled for those
only who have refused to accept the redemption
of Christ. AS DR.. Ward, of the Independent.
expresses it, 'those who could not know Of
Christ in this life, will somehow be made cogni-
zant of the divine plan and His relation to it in
the period that intervenes between death and the
Judgment; and upon their acceptance or rejec-
ton of Him will depend their fate The Jo-
eeph Cook party, represented in this controversy
By e. K. Alden home secretary for the board.
deny the truth of this doctrine, and hold to the
older and relentless dogma that all men twill be
raised at the last day. and stand before the judy
ment seat of Christ, and will receive from Him
their rewards according TO the deeds done in the
body And Mr.. Alden, acting for the majority
Of the executive committee, withholds the
missionary commission from such as disa-
gree with him. The other party. in which
Clark, senior secretary of the board, say
that it is not question as TO the correctness of
either doctrine. The rejected candidates are
recognized good Christians and should not
be impeded in their desire to do wholesome
Christian work. But retorts the secretary, with
an unconsciously humorous departure from the
cTetical argument to considerations of the in
tensely practical, such view of probation tends
to discourage missionary work altogether, for if
God has provided post-mortem means of saliva
ton for the heather, why should we exert our
selves so strsnuously in their behalf Said DIR.
Ward, in conversation on the matter: This is
. question not of doctrine, but of liberty The
greater part Of the denomination is satisfied to
let the missionaries have the same freedom of
personal convictions that were enjoyed by
preachers at home. The discussion will not
probably result ia general revision of the creed
This will be avoided, If for no other reason be-
cause we shall not make the issue on the'point