The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-06-03
The Evolution Question Settled.

The Evolution Question Settled.
The Sixth days proceedings of the
General Assembly Of the Presbyterian
Church, 'SouIIl, on Tuesday, was devoted
to the discussion of The question OF cvo.
luton. The debate was opened by DIR.
r. K. Smoot, of Texas, in favor of the
majority report, contending that the
matter is properly before the Assembly
for decision, and not a matter of conye'
nicncc or cxpctlicncy; that it can nol be
deferred. DIR. George D. Armstrong, w.
F. Junkin and G. B. Strickler followed
in support of the majority report.
In favoring the majority report DR..
F. l.. Ferguson, of Louisiana, opposed
action at this time by the Assembly, on
the ground that it would prejudice the
case of DR.. Woodrow, now pending in
the lower court of the church. DR.. W.
Finn and DIR. Woodrow closed the
debate on the minority report.
DR.. Woodrow did not speak in support
of, or even advance his theories of evo-
luton, but spoke against the propriety of
the Convention taking action now, and
against the Assembly adopting the report
of the majority, alleging the creation to
have been Immediate The majority
report was adopted by an overwhelming
vote Of 1877 to 13.
To several overtures on the subject of
evolution of man sent up by the presby-
teries, the General Assembly returns
answers as follows: The church remains
at this time sincerely convinced that the
scriptures as truly and author; tatiyely
expounded in our confession of faith"
and catechism teach that Adam and Eve
were created body and soul by the imme.
diate act of tho Almighty Power, thereby
preserving perfect race unity. That
Adams body was directly fashioned by
Almighty God without any natural ami.
NAL parentage Of any kind, out of matter
previously created of nothing, and that
any doctrine at variance Herewith is
dangerous error, inasmuch rs by the
method Of interpreting the Scri ptures
which it must demand, and in conse
quences which by fair implication it will
involve, it will lead to denial of the
doctrines fundamental to faith.
Afterwards in the discussion of the
report of the Committee upon Theologi
cal Seminaries a most animated discus
sion was had as follows upon the section
of the report indicated:
Columbia Seminary-a very brief re.
port from the Board of Directors of this
institution fills us with sorrow and
amazement. It tells US this beloved
seminary, with its assets amounting to
S270,000 and the annual cash income of
S11,7S4, closes this term with only eleven
students, and that five of these are in the
Senior class, leaving only six as the
prospect of next year. 1t tells us further
that twenty-five students matriculated;
that DIR. Woodrow resumed his duties as
the Perkins Professor about the middle
of last December; that eleven students
were dismissed, and that DIR. Girardeau
has resigned.
Therefore, in view of these facts, es-
pecially the small number of students
and the large amount expended in train
ing them, your committee recommend
the following:
"Resohed, That this Assembly recon.
mend the four Synods controlling this
Seminary to suspend it for the present,
and until the Providence of God shall
indicate that It should be opened again
dc novo."
DR.. Woodrow spoke in opposition to
the report, saying the inferences to be
drawn from it were unwarranted and un
| fair. The statement is made in such
connection as to convey the idea that
$11 900 was the expense of the Seminary
last year, which is not true.
Again the impression is created that
DR.. Girardeau resigned upon my resum
ing my duties 10 the Perkins professor
ship; this alsC is not true. Again it is
alleged that because there are 80 few
scholars, the seminary should be closed
Was there ever such an argument? Be.
fore this there has been smaller mem.
bership of students in attendance, but it
never was considered a reason for closing
the seminary.
Rev. R. K. Mosely, of Texas, offered
the following amendment:
"We recommend that the synods in
charge speedily take such steps as in their
judgment will be best designed to restore
the seminary to the confidence of the
church."
Rev. J. A. Preston-The way for the
Presbyterian Church to reach this mat
ter is not to abolish the chair, but the
professor. Go and put your hand upon
the man, whoever he may be, that is
standing in the way of the success of the
institution and say, "Sir, you must get
out" / am not afraid to have science
alongside of our Bible. True science
has no conflict with Gods word, but it is
this miserable caricature of science
against which / enter my protest. l
think the paper offered is exceedingly
unfortunate. want US to do the right
thing-the manly thing.
Rev. r. K. osely-I say also let US
do the manly thing and put our hand
upon the troubler.
DR.. Woodrow-Do you mean me?
Rey. R. K. Mosely-I decline to be
interrupted. Before the committee I
urged a paper that was not adopted that
we should find the trouble and remove it.
Can it be claimed that this Assembly has
not the right to do this?
DR.. M. Van Lear-There is no doubt
as to the power of the Assembly; the
question is as to the propriety of exer-
cising that right The deliverance of
this Assembly will have great effect, and
will be equal to rendering a verdict
against gentleman who has not had the
benefit of hearing.
Rev. DR.. Hooper, of Alabama-Ther
can be no doubt that the cause of tn
trouble was the address upon evolution
delivered by Prof. Woodrow, by request
of the Board of Directors of Colum bia
Theological Seminary. There are four
Synods who have charge of this semina.
ry, and there is tie vote between them
as to removing DR.. Woodrow, and we
have no power to settle the question.
When majority reinstated DIR. Wood.
row we had no doubt, however, that be
would then resign, but he would not.
DR.. Woodrow-Did you vote for my
reinstatement?