The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-30
THE ANDOVER THEOLOGY.
Professor Smythe Appears and Argues His
Case in O Digniied. Scholarly Address.

BosToN, Dec. 29-The Andover heresy trial
was resumed this morning. The question
whether the evidence in regard to all the ac-
cused professors should be put in and argu.
ments made before the conclusion of Professor
Smytheis case, was argued at the outset to-day,
as it was yesterday, Judge French stating that
the complainants had made no preparation for
prosecuting any case other than the one
against Professor Smythe and Professor Bald
win, urging that. while each case should be de-
cided by itself, the evidence aad arguments
applicable to all alike should be heard once for
all. Otherwise. he said, the trial would be in
definitely and needlessly prolonged. Ag ain
the question was undecided. Professor Smythe
then resumed his address in his own defense,
which was begun yesterday. Following is q
5ynoposis of Professor Smythes address to-
Jay:
ssThey charge that I teach that men are not
sinners who have not heard of Christ, or at any
rate are not in danger of being lost. Now, on
pages A. aad AZ of Progressive Orthodoxy
The quotations they make in support of this
charge are garbled, like so many other of their
quotations"
Professor Smythe read many extracts showing
that the book plainly teaches exactly the con-
trary TO what is charged 'They charge me
with teaching a model Trinity How do they
make this QUIT They have picked out two or
three places where the word model occurs in
discussing the doctrine of the Trinity. Yet any
trio 10 theology ought to know that the distinc-
ton between a model and the real Trinity is
elearly pointed out in the very sentences from
which they quote. The most characteristic ex-
nressions which have been used for fifteen CEN
turies to denote the orthodox doctrine OF the
Trinity are employed"
After citing Professor Parker's memoir Of DR..
Hopkins in defense from the charge Of exalting
reason in theology too much, the citation show
Ing that Professor Parker insisted on the need
and safety of exalting reason, Professor Smythe
took mp the real and only important accusation
Of teaching future probation after death.
II claim" said Professor Smythe slowly, sol
EMMY, and with tremulous earnestness, 'the
right. under the creed, to hold in this matter
whatever true Interpretation Of Scripture and
revelation which God makes of himself shows
me to be true. / do not think I shall commit
any ain against or violate any obligations under
the creed If / allow myself to follow with per-
feet trust wherever, with heart as with head, /
can discover any traces OF Gods holy and recon-
Cling love, llncipient applause will not
avail myself Of any mans want of skill in at
tacking me. Although state in Progressive
Orthodoxy that I hold God as revealed in Christ
as central in theology, l deny here and now that
IAof9 IS anything IN what J. uOlO on the QOCCrlno
of future probation inconsistent with the creed.
On the subject of eschatology (the ultimate
condition of soulsl the makers of the
creed did not use language of their
own, bat Bible Language. and they
attempted no Interpretation of that language.
The creed on that point has the meaning of the
Scripture which it quotes, and that meaning
5nly. / claim that this disposes conclusively
and finally of this whole question. [Applausel.
IL is made imperative upon me by my pledge
~sUaw n - Aafn ~1- N GpAA n q Foo . - So
fold the Scriptures according to the best light
that God shall give me. The creed must be
taken as a whole. tits impossible to take it any
Other way, for it contains clauses which, sepa-
rateiy considered, are contradictory. l accept
the seminary creed in its historical sense, but /
do not mean that thu opinions it Goes not con.
tain may be included in it because they were en-
tertained at the time when it was written. The
creed, instead of being intended to forbid prog
gress. is itself the child Of progress. 1t contains
term after term which are the waymarks of
progress along the line of modern theology"
Professor Smythe then considered the claim
that future probation is denied in that article
OF the creed which says that .'they who are eff
fectually called. do in this life receive certain
blessings This" he said, ':is an attempt to
fDd the doctrine in the creed, not where it
properly belongs, IN q most carefully drawn in
strument. The probabilities are all against the
makers of the creed having designed any such
thing. 1t they bad intended to pronounce upon
the doctrine at all, they would have done it with
tho same pains which they evinced in stating
other doctrines. 1t is not said that all who are
ever TO be effectually called are called in this
fife. The object and obvious purpose of this
rticle is to comfort believers by assuring them
If certain blessings in this life of
conflict and toll, The Interpretation sought to
be put upon this article makes it contradict the
standards of which it forms a part. with certain
statements transferred bodily from the West
minister Shorter Catechism, for that catechism re-
fers to elect infants and elect other persons who
have not been outv srdly called by the ministry
of the word. but they could not receive in this
life the blessings, justification. sanctiication.
etc., which are promised to the elect who are
effectually called"
The address occupied four and a half hours in
delivery, and was listened 10 with almost breath
less attention throughout by an audience which
packed the room.
DR.. Smythe was called in his own defense, and
testified that when he was named a professor in
Andover Seminary hs~said he would subscribe
to Its creed as q whole, but could not accept the
point of federal headship, because he had been
tRuRht by DR.. Park not 20 believe it.
DIR. George Harris testified for the defense
that. when he was to be appointed a professor in
1882, he objected to certain points in the creed,
including limited atonement and federal head.
ship. The witness said: 'I accept this creed as
expressing substantially the system of truth
taught 10 the holy scriptures. II was under
stood as q sort of agreement that we should sub
scribe TO the creed under these con-
aitI0ns. This was done with the sanction
OF both the trustees and the board of visitors.
During the Questioning on he part of tie board
OF ~visitoFs and the answering on the part of the
new professors. the question was raised about
the probation of those not within reach of the
gospel The reply given by the board Of visit
nys. in substance, was that although clergymen
might not teach probation extended beyond this
life for these persons, they were at liberty to
hold this view as private opinion"
Professor Kinks gave testimony in corrObora-
ton OF that Of his associates.
Professor Tucker testified that he was elected
shout two years before Professors Harris and
Kinks. He did not meet the board as they did,
because he was not asked to do so; but when he
publicly accepted the creed. at inauguration, he
read this statement: The creed | am now
about to read ! fully accept as setting forth
truth against errors it is designed to meet"
This closed the testimony, aud Professor
Baldwin proceeded TO sum up for the complain
ants. He was followed by Hon. Charles 1. Rus
tel, for the accused His plea was not concluded
xuhan the haarin1 voe afinuruad iii tounnrvou