Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-17
DIR. WOODROW AND EVOLUTION.
The Old Dispute Again Brought Up by
| the Southern Presbyterians.

The General Assembly of the Southern Pres
byterian church met in its twenty ninth annual
session in Chattanooga, Tenn, yesterday
Eleven states were represented. The body was
called to order at IL o'clock, in the First
church, by Moderator J. ]. Bullock, of Wash
| ington, D. c., who conducted devotional exer-
| cises. In his sermon he set forth the power Of
the gospel for the enlightenment and moral
elevation of the human race. The assembly
was announced ready for business, and the
| election of moderator was declared in order.
| The following were proposed: DIR. H. J. Hill,
! Fayetteville, Y. c.; DR.. G. d. Armstrong, Nor
folk, Va: DIR. Jas. Woodrow, Columbia. S. c.. 1;
DIR. j. W. Tupton. GAINESVILLE, Tenn. The
nomination of DIR. Woodrow expected, and
a conflict between his supporters and oppo-
nents became imminent. Heis the celebrated
evolutionst, whose theories, two or three years
ago. came near causing serious split i'll the
church. He was Opposed from the presidency
of the Columbia theological institute, and was
tried by the assembly at Baltimore. Adjourn
ment was had until the afternoon.
At the beginning of the afternoon session
Rev. J. b. Adger. president of Adger college,
South Carolina, arose and warmly seconded the
nomination of DIR. Woodrow for moderator.
The names of Drs. Armstrong and Tupton
were Withdrawn.
DIR. WOODROW ASKS THAT HIS NAME BE WITH
DRAWN.
DR.. Woodrow took the floor and, in a verv
earnest manner, said it had been stated before
the assembly in one of the nominating speeches
that he had refused to submit to the judiciar
decision of the general assembly. Il want the
opportunity" said he, ''of saying that that
statement is wholly incorrect and could not
have been made by any one who is aware of the
facts. The only judicial proceedings / have
ever been connected with were those at the
Baltimore assembly last year, when my COM
plant was brought before it. The Judgment
of that assembly was that the complaint was
not sustained, and to that decision, as a loval
Presbyterian. have submitted with my whole
heart. l have never done anything or thought
anything that was inconsistent with the most
complete and loyal submission to the expressed
Judgment of the general assembly. Along with
that judgment were certain utterances and
declarations of opinion and belief. When
judicial decision is given. that determines and
concludes in the highest court a particular
case. My case was concluded. but the assem-
bly, went on to say that any expressions in con-
nection with the judicial decision are binding
provided they are in accordance with the con-
stitution of the church and the law of God The
general assembly has thus commanded me to sit
IN Judgment upon their opinion. ANY men,
Der of the church is to be the Judge The re-
sponslblhty Is upon me to refuse to submit to
that opinion. If in my judgment 1 find that it is
not in accordance with the law of God am
not willing to be traduced before this assem-
bly, by having anything attributed to me that
is not the truth. / am loyal to the Presbyterian
church and the final judgment of the as
sembly, but L am not loyal to anything
that is not law from the throne-from God /
had no intimation that l would be nominated
here. / thank my student for what he has said
of me. God has hOnored me, thanks to His
name for having caused me to lead mutitudes
to believe every syllable of His blessed Word
On account of my ill-health, and for other
/ at M No MT
drawn.
A QUESTION OF vERACITY.
Elder James Lyons, of the Virginia synod,
quickly took the floor and said he would show
whether or not DIR. Woodrow had made unlaw-
full and rejecting criticisms upon the action of
the general assembly.
Moderator Bullock requested Mr. Lyons to
take his seat.
lit is a question of veracity." insisted Mr..
Lyons. while the general interest deepened
when he says that the spirit of the inquis-
ton has entered into the deliberations of the
general assembly he is going too far. Six edi-
torlals to that effect appeared i'll the Southern
Presbyterian in July, 1886. DIR. Woodrow was
the editor, and whether he wrote them or not
consider him morally responsible for them"
Mr.. Lyons was called to order. and Dr. Wood
rows name withdrawn over the protest of sew
eral members.
DIR. II. c. Hill, OF Fayetteville. n. c., was
elected and installed. J. ID. West, of Misss-
sippi, and Il. Z. Caldwell, of Louisville. were
elected temporary secretaries. ". +. Crabb, of
New York, representative OF the American Sun
day Observance society, made an address. in
which he said the saloons. Sunday newspapers,
and post offices were among the greatest enc
mics of Sabbath observance. He made strong
talk in favor of legal prohibition of Sunday
work. The assembly passed motion to refer
to committee for trial long-standing matter
of dispute between the Mecklenburg presby-
terry and the synod of North Carolina.