The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-08-26
THE GREAT EVOLUTION TRIAL,
DIR. Woodrow cleared Of the Charge of Hcresy-
A Statement of the Case. d, '"l"

Dr. woodrow Cleared OF the Charge OF Hcresy-
A Statement of the Case. 4 .''l"
(From tho Augusta Chronicle, August l9.)
This is the first formal arraignment of
DIR. Woodrow in Court of the Church
authorized to try his case, although his
peculiar teachings have been reviewed
and criticised in every assemblage of
this denomination. He has been cleared
of the charge of heresy, and escapes even
the admonition which was The mildest
form of punishment he could have re-
G. 'Ved, and which, L believe, would have
been the penalty selected by the prose-
cutlon. The case will be taken, on COM
plant, before the Georgia Synod, which
meets at Sparta in November, and as
this body has been against DR.. Wood
row, the verdict of the lower Court may
be annulled. But annulling o verdict Of
not guilty does not establish verdict of
guilty, and o new trial before the Pres
byttery could have but one termination.
30 much, then, for DR.. Woodrow's
ecclesiastical character. Three of the
four Synods controlling the Theological
Seminary in Columbia may, and proba-
BY will, vote to turn DR.. Woodrow out
OF the faculty in accordance with tho
recommendation of the General Assem-
bly,. That, of course, will sever his con-
ncctlon with this institution. DR.. Wood
rows point was that he could not afford
to resign under fire, and that, as he has
been cleared of teaching error bv the
Court having jurisdiction, he will remain
until he is removed by tho formal order
Of the Synod.
AS DIR. Woodrow has two largo publi-
cations in Columbia, and as he occupies
the chair of natural science in the South
Carolina College, he will remain in Co.
lumbia at all events.
The features of the trial were full OF
interest. The two persons pitted against
each other were prominent men. DR..
Adams, Of Augusta, conducted the prose-
cution in a spirit of candor, courage and
high ability. His argument was said by
DIR. Girardeau to have been the most
mastery presentation of that side of the
question that has yet been made. saw
no evidence of malice or intolerance. It
was the clean work of man who did his
duty III the most direct way, and did it
well. 1t was not an enviable position
that of prosecutor. 1t was q contest with
DIR. Woodrow in his own field, among
his old friends. No man knows better
than Dr. Woodrow what he does believe.
and no man marshals his proofs so COM
pletoly. 1t is hard to fasten error or to
impute heresy here.
DIR. Woodrow says he believes the
Body OF man was formed by successive
steps through succeeding stages of lower
animal life.
The objectors say he does not give full
credit to God.
DIR. Woodrow says he recognizes God
IN the whole development from begin
ming to end. ..,0.,'o0'o-..
The objectors say God created man
out of dust.
DIR. Woodrow insists that tho exact
process of creation is not told in the
standards of the Church or in the Bible;
that science is not forbidden to try to
work out the problem, and that the
Church should not set up arbitrary on
illiberal barriers.
Ihc personal character of the accused
had its effect upon the case. Members
OF the Presbytery had been associated
with DIR. Woodrow for thirty Years.
They refused to believe him dangerous
man to the Church. Others of the
younger ministry had studied under him
ut Oglethorpe University and at Colum-
bla. They did not incline to the belief
that his teachings were hereticaI. All
him to be pillar of intel
lectual strength in tho Presbytery. It
was not easy to secure q verdict of guilty
against this sort of man.
DIR. Woodrow's handling Of witnesses
was wonderful. Ho has q trained and
subtle faculty. His mind is alert, and
his output this time was finer in thread
ing evidence from the stand than in
making his appeal to the Court. He is
n skilled debatcr. The examination of
DIR. Girardcau by DR.. Woodrow was the
kecncst contest of the trial. 1t was IL
clash of flint and steel, edgo-cutting and
spark-throwing. 1t was quiet and in
tense. Both men are masters of contro-
Versal forces.
DIR. Adams proved the better advocate;
DIR. Woodrow the more adroit attorney.
One is impulsive and eloquent; the other
wary and logical. DIR. Adams is full and .
florid, and his eyes shine with fire and
nervous force. DIR. Woodrow is quiet
and collected. He is precision itself.
lis face IS pale, his eyes clear and pas
5lonlesS and his domeanor indicates cool
Both men | believe were born abroad
md are of Scotch extraction. This meet
ing might have suggested the array of
CALIFORNIAN extremes. You might almost
see Bruce and Balliol personifed there.
| was glad to note the exchange of:
friendly courtesies in the train this after.
noon. The personal relations are not
disturbed. / think DR.. Adams has sus-
tanned his reputation and made friends
even of his opponents. DR.. Woodrow
has, OF course, gained all the official ad-
vantage of the trial and proven his
strength in his home Presbytory.
The vote on the Indictment stood as
follows: Yeas (Guilty): Ministers 4,
elders 5; total 8. Nays (Not Guilty.:
4, elders 10; total ID.