Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-01-17


the Independent by Rev DR.. X. S. Storrs
Of Brooklyn, brings TO general public atten.
ton the latest development in the famous
American Board controversy over the doc
trine. or hypothesis Of probation after
death At the meeting Of the board held
in New York last October the breach be
tween the liberal and the ultra. conserva-
| tive elements was apparently henled 10y an
almost unanimous agreement to accept as
basis Of comfy the platform contained in
/ DR. Storr's letter Of acceptance as presi-
dent Of the board The gist Of this plat
| form was that the board is not TO send forth
any missionary who is committed TO the be-
lief in future probation as a dogma, or as a
part of the body Of religious truth which
he expects to preach 10 the heather. But
on the other hand, a candidate for mission
airy appointment ought not to be rejected
merely because he is in doubt about that
question, or cherishes a secret hope that
those who have had no chance 10 accept the
gospel Of salvation in this life may be Civ
en- a chance to repent and believe in fu
ture state.
In order to carry this policy Of agree
ment into practical effect the bylaws were
changed so as to make the president and
vice president err o6icio members of the
prudential committee. That committee is
an executive body Of twelve men by whose
votes missionary candidates are accepted
or rejected 1t meets every week in Bos-
ton in conjunction with the secretaries Of
the board, and the purpose Of the change
in the by laws was to allow DR.. Storrs to be
called in consultation in cases Of special
Importance.
The first case was that Of A. j. Covell,
an Andover student who applied for a
missionary appointment. From DR.. Storr's
letter in the Independent it appears that he
went TO Boston on the third Of December
and had two hours private conversation
with Mr.. Covell with the result Of satisfy
ing himself that the candidates theological
views came clearly within the terms Of the
basis of agreement, and that in education,
ability and devotion he was just such a
young man as the mission cause needs. He
so stated at the prudential committee meet
ing that afternoon. After long debate an
adjournment was had until the next day
On the next day DR.. Storrs again urged
Mr.. Covells appointment but it was found
impossible TO agree and the matter wa,
postponed for two weeks. On December
Il the committee met again, and again the
president pleaded for the candidates ap
pointment as in accordance with the treaty
of peace made at New York But hi,
efforts, seconded by those of Vice President
Blatchford who had come twice from hi,
home in Chicago TO help to decide the first
test case, were unavailing. Finally, as the
only alternative to absolute rejection, the
matter was postponed until next June
The liberals are indignant at what they
deem wanton breach Of faith, and DR.
Storrs, staunch conservative that he is
points out in his letter, in his own dgniied
logical and eloquent way, that the case OF
Mr. Covell is one to which the agreement
applies that to keep the agreement is t.
restore to the board its lost harmony, and
that to break the agreement is to incur d
peril from whose contemplation he shrinks
The matter has been simplifed this week
in a certain way, by the announcement
that Mr.. Covel has sent to the prudential
committee a notice Of his withdrawal of hi.
candidacy for missionary appointment, but
his action cannot be construed as other
than an enforced and self-respecting one
and it will increase rather than allay the
excitement in the Congregational body.
The Boston Herald, has this comment
which, though caustic, and possibly over
drawn, nevertheless represents large
element of public feeling on the subject:
Now the devil is to pay 1t will be
understood throughout the Congregational
denomination that bright young men, who
are of necessity thinking and living in the
atmosphere of our own time, and are worth
something in the Christian ministry, cannot
obtain an appointment for the foreign field
Inferior young men who have no doubts
and do not know enough to have them car
secure appointments, but the men of ability
who represent the consecrated life of the
denomination are not likely TO apply Thi,
puts the missionary work into the hands OF
comparatively incompetent men The best
intellect in the Congregational body will
have nothing to do with it, This dries ~
the sources of supply for missionary fields
When il is understood that the best men il
the denomination cannot secure foreign
appointments the interest in missions it
self receives a cruel check. Men of wealtl
and intelligence are not going to give theil
money to support blockheads in missionary
work among the heather, and where strong
and able men cannot go, there will not be
money given to send their interiors. Thi,
is where the matter rests today