New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-19
DIR. HALL HAS NOT RESIGNED.
HE HAS NOT LEFT THE UNION SEMINARY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A PUBLISHED REPORT THAT HE HAD DONE so
DEyIED-THE REAL STATE OF AFFAIRS
EXPLAINED.

EXPLAINED
An article was published yesterday announcing that
the Rev. Dr. John Hall had resigned his place as
director Of Union Theological seminary The con-
servative attitude which has been maintained by Dr.
Hall in connection with the case Of Professor Charles
A. Briggs and the defeat Of his compromise resolution
In the last meeting Of the Presbytery lent color OF
truth TO the published statement. There has indeed
been feeling all along among prominent Presoy-
terians that Dr. Halls failure to himself on one
side the other Of the controversy rendered his posi-
ton awkward one. He undoubtedly values highly
his connection with the seminary director, and his
influence has been potential In its support and success
as an institution for theological teaching. 1t Is
true also. that he appreciates fully the scholarship
Of Professor Briggs, and that he in no wise
underestimate that genteman's value as an in
structor. At the time DR.. Hall IS preeminently
a preacher Of the gospel Of peace, and has no taste
for controversy docrnal points. lie seeks to deal
only with the simplest principles Of Christianity as re-
vealed 10 the conscience Of the highest and lowest ake
and which do not rest upon any Interpretation Of the
Scriptures here or there. II he should resign, ii would
be only as a means Of escape from unpleasant con
trOversy To refuse 10 vote a director would be to
shirk his duty To vote side the other would
be to pass judgment when in pursuance Of his well
known principles, he seeks not to Judge thus observing
Of the most conspicuous mandates OF his Master.
The announcement, therefore, that DR.. Hall had re-
signed director Of the seminary created no sur
prise, though it led to many expressions Of regret.
But DR.. Hall has not resigned. Whether he intends
to 90 not is known only TO DR.. Hall himself.
lie would reporters yesterday, and refused to
confirm deny the story. This was consistent with
his wellknown views respecting the observance Of
Sunday. II is also consistent with his characteristic
reserve, that he should not say in advance what he
proposes do not to do, especially in matter Of
much public interest and professional importance as
this.
The assurance that DR.. Hall has not resigned is
made the authority Of DR.. Thomas ;. Hastings,
president OF Union theological Seminary. The facts
are these: The General Assembly in May last APP
pointed committee OF which DR.. Patton Of Princeton,
is chairman 10 confer with the directors OF Union sem
mary, with a view OF determining the true relations
Of the Seminary 10 the General Assembly. DR.. Pat
ton wrote to DR.. Charles Butler, Of the Union
Seminary Board asking him to appoint date
for the conference and DR.. Butler named october %
\ special meeting OF the Seminary Board was held
at the banking house Of Brown Brothers & Co. on
Friday last. President Hastings, behalf OF the
Executive Committee, OF which he is chairman, pre-
seated the views Of that committee respecting the
manner and spirit in which the General Assembly
Committee should be received. conference had
been appointed for October IS, and il necessary
that there should be some plan formulated and the
se.ment Of the Board obtained upon the points that
were TO be disussed in the conference. Dr. Hall was
present at that meeting. lie listened atentively 20
The report and the subsequent discussion but TOOK
no active part in proceedings. Just afor the ad
iournment or possibly before the adjournment was an
nounced, DR.. Hall remarked that he had come to
the meeting prepared 10 offer his resignation as a
director painful as that would be 10 him ND
much as be would regret to do Then he added
that after hearing the report Of the Executive Com
nit,ee and recognizing the spirit which animated
the Board, he had decided TO defer any action in
that direction. There the matter rests 1t is possible
that Or. Hall intends to resign at future day, but
he certafaly has not done 50 yet
Considerable stress has been laid on the fact that
at the meeting OF the seminary Board OF Directors on
lime DR.. Hall retired before the vote was taken
on the resolution adopted sustaining Or Btlggs. a
member Of Board said recently To Tribune repOreI
that the June meeting called with special reference
10 nHog tile Roosevelt Chair Of Systematic IneolOSy
made vacant by death Of the Rev Dr. Henry D. al
DYKE No conclusion reached Then some one
remarked that il was due the students VINO proposed
10 enter this fall that they should Know what 10 eA.
rpct in their casses and pCiessOrshlps ana IN view Oh
The acton taken By the General Assembly regarding
ThcOlogy the position Of the seminary ought To De
declared This brought the Briggs case forward uhe1
u4rtedlv 10 some at least, ana particularly 10 Dr'
HALL who had held himself acOt from the controversy
| A prevlous meeting in May had after an examination
Of DR. Briggs sustained h.m. Inc new question vi tie
relationship Of the seminary 70 the Gcnera AsseuiDIl
had been raised by the General Assembly NJ ter Is'
session hence the Importance OF the Board IN the IN
terest Of all concerned. promptly dehhng lJs attuc
which was done by a resolution SIMPLY anrinliS tILit
Dr. briggs having been transferred from one chalf U
81 the General Assembly in the Of a new APP
pointment. There was no defiance OF the ue1era a. a.
/ Assembly intended. What was done was SIMPLY 1
/ maintenance Of a reserved f.ght. Inc appointment
Of DR. Worcester 10 the Roosevelt Chair OF Systematic
Theology will be regularly submitted 10 the GeueTiI
Assembly for approval.