Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-12
CASE OF Mr.. CAVE,
WAS THE VOICE or JEHOVAH HEARD
BY ABRAHAM, DAVID, AND ELIJAHf
Teachings win Have on the Dis
cipies or Christ.

I
A recent sermon from him touching the
inspiration Of the Scriptures teaches doc
trine not acceptable to the great majority
of his brother Christians. As result of
the manifest dissatisfaction with him he
has resigned his pastorate. and with num-
Der of members who are in sympathy with
his views will organize new church.
II will be interesting to see how he will
| be sustained in his position; TO what ex-
| tent his remuneration Of the well-accepted
doctrines Of the Disciples OF Christ will
| effect that denomination. On these and
cognate points the Dispatch has interviewed
a number of Disciples here. who. by reason
of their position in the Church and in so
ciety, can speak with almost representative
authority. 80,
Mr.. Cave is virginian by birth and edu-
cation and was for several years pastor OF
| the largest church (the Seventh-Street) his
| peoplc have here lie was noted in Rich
| inond for loneliness Of character and was
| Jealous an the work of God and his ser
mons were eloquent and vigorous. Except
| az to the doctrines he is now preaching no
| one here has aught to say against him, but
about these there is pretty Tree express
sion Of opinion that they are IN opposition
to the spirit and language of the New les
converts TO them.
! EDITOR l. J. SPENCER.
Rev. IL. Spencer, editc of the Mission
nry Veekly. was seen yesterday by q
| Dispatch reporter and asked: In your
opinion are the views expressed IN a
recent sermon by Rev. X. {. Cave IN
accord with the faith of the Disciples of
| Christ or the teachings of the Scriptures
The sermon to which you refer, said he.
has in il much that is excellent and true.
/ regard what il saws of the tenderness,
patience, impartiality, mercy, sympathy,
| and forgiveness of Jesus as In perfect har-
mony with the faith of the Disciples and
with the teachings of the Scriptures. The
peculiar doctrine of the sermon which has
| been most criticised seems 10 be, IN bret,
| that God never at any time spake
by the mouth Of the Old Testament
worthies-such as Abraham, Moses.
| David, Elijah and Isaiah-but that
what they thought was the voice
of Jehovah was but the voice OF tnelr own
souls. made hoarse and discordant by the
| fogs of a universally prevailing supersti-
ton" This doctrine in the sermon re-
| gard az in clear contradiction 10 the teach
| inc of the Divine Master himself and OF the
apostles. and as subversive of the faith OF
the New Testament. The Disciples believe
| in the inspiration of the Old Testament as
well as of the New. This sermon. however,
has evoked probably less criticism than
have the now famous preamble ana rcsoiu-
| tons which outlined the platform OF the
new church, and which one must read IN
order to understand the true situation,
| Do YOU think the organization OF
church in st. Louis for Mr.. Cave will re-
! suit in new and distinct denomination
| do not think so.
| What effect will the new church or de
nomination have on the Disciples. ana
what, in your opinion Will be It's relation 10
| the other denominations?
| The new organization, said MIR. Spencer.
will take probably seventy five or eighty
members from the Central church. but the
remaining members have determined TO
stand close together and do all they can TO
carrv on their work. The new organiza-
ton will, | Judge, be independent OF all
denominations. Mr.. Cave, personally IS
highly and Justly esteemed by the Disci-
| Piles. Those who are most troubled over
! sincerely love the man and care
| fully distinguish between him and his po-
| sition.
ELDER l.. A. CUTLER.
The pastor of the Marshall-Street Chris
| tian church said the views expressed IN the
! sermon concerning the fact that God spoke
| to the fathers by the prophets are not IN
accord with the faith of the Disciples nor
| with the teachings of the Scriptures.
do not think that the organization OF o
| church in ST. Louis for Mr.. Cave VIII result
| in q new and distinct denomination.
1t will have no effect of serious conse-
ouence upon the Disciples outside of the
| church in st. Louis. The withdrawal OF
| one preacher and few members from
local church can have very little effect
upon our religious body. numbering seven
| hundred thousand members IN the United
| States.
| Should new church or denomination be
| established it is impossible TO say what its
| relation will be to other denominations.
Allow me to add that have known Mr..
] Cave personally from his boyhood days.
He is a gentleman of distinguished ability,
of fine native intellect, which has been
well cultivated. and is one of the most elo-
quent and polished pulpit orators OF the
day. That he is perfectly sincere ana non.
| est in his views | have not the slishtcSi
| doubt. II is matter Of deep regret that
| he is not in accord with his brethren.
| ELDER Z. A. COLE.
The pastor of the Third Christian church
| answered the same queries by saying;
| In the sermon alluded to the ric,cs ex-
| pressed that no voice of Jehovah was
| heard by the ancient worthless Abraham.
| David. Elijah, and Isaiah making revela-
| ton of Jehovah and his will to men are
| not in harmony with the teachings or the
| Disciples, and are. believe. In opposition
| to the teachings of the New Testament
Scriptures, in which Jesus quoted inc
| words of these worthless.
| | do not think the organization OF a
church in st. Louis for Mr.. Cave will result
| in new and distinct denomination and
| do not think it will be injurious to the Dis
| ciples as a body.
The brotherhood, as well as all interest
| ed. will have opportunity for hearing again
what is taught and believed by the Disci-
plies through representative men OF the
| Church.
SUPERINTENDENT FOX.
Professor w. f. Fox, Superintendent Of
! CITY Public Schools, is an elder IN the
| Marshall Street church, and when seen and
| questioned as Mr.. Spencer was, answered :
1t is hardly fair 20 judgea man at second
hand-by opinions attributed TO him bY
Others. and which are not authorized by
him. Men so easily misconceiye a. speak
er's meaning, especially when dehcate
construction OF language Is involved. lie
ought to stand or fall by his own author
,zed utterances. have long known and
| loved Mr.. Cave. In purity, in loftiness OF
motive. and rectitude of purpose l have
not seen him surpassed. lie IL
man to win esteem and confidence
not only by his many fine qualities OF
head and heart, but by the nobleness
of his life. When be was pastor IN TINS
CITY l had few opportunities of hearing
| him preach, and then little was said with
whic' was not in accord. Since his re-
NOV to st. Louis | have only seen the
serm, to which You refer (John l.. 49,. Ii
have read it Alright its tendency IS TO I'M
pair confidence in the Bible as an infalllole
euid No people have striyen more earn,
estlS than the Disciples of Christ to exalt
the Bible in the estimation of men as the
inspired Word Of God-the only authorita-
tive rule of faith and practice. Anything
which tends to lessen this appreciation
cannot be in accord with their views.
/ do not think that the organization OF a
church in st. Louis for MIR. Cave Will pro,
duce "a new and distinct denomination.
SO far as the Disciples are concerned It's IN
fluence will, think, be local and temper.
arv. / have no sufficient means OF judging
what its relation TO other denomination:
will be.
COLONEL JOHN B. CARY.
This gentleman is prominent member
of the Seventh-Street church and upon be
ing asked for his views said: :" beg to say
that having O warm personal regard fol
| NJ. navo arI No raiion WhQfaypr for re.