New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-09
DECORUM IN THE PRESBYTERY.
THE REV. DIR. ELLIOT REPLIES TO THE TNBUNEs


COMMENTS
To the Editor OF The TIL b u n e.
Sir: The statements and comments IN your issue
TODAY concerning the spirit manifested the meeting
OF the New York Presbytery amazed me and cannot
allow them to pass unchallenged. | trust that the
ADLER pen Of some more prominent correspondent may
take the place OF mine before this shall reach YOU X
not, will you allow reply from one to whom The
Tribune has been as daily food than forty years
and who can be at when 1t seems to be on
the wrong side OF any good cause
Having present at all the sessions OF the Presoy
terry taking small part In the discussions. and being
always averse TO undue heat In debate may claim to
be competent witness upon the subject, and testify
that the occasion was remarkably free from "dispays
OF temper and excuses Of speech What reporters
coming with pencils sharpened for lively descriptions
OF an ecclesiastical storm, may have concocted or
imagined that they saw l do not know, but do know
that impartial observers nothing Of the kind The
remark OF DR.. Hasting that DR.. Briggs had been
bounded for two years by misrepresentation ana
nlseoodso Instantly checked and recaled had no bear
Ing upon those before him. but upon utterances aud
publications throughout the country. The impulslve
reply Of DR.. Booth to DR.. Carl's unexpected state
ment "That is not true before God it not tre' aso
Immediately checked), did not, am sure, tm1y TO any
candid hearer charge OF falsehcod but only Of mis-
apprehension and grievous error These were the only
momentary explosions during two days OF entirely
courteous generous debate upon various questions
while the frequent ripple OF laughter at some slightly
humorous turn indicated the prevailing good temper In
spite OF atmospheric high temperature. There was
absolutely nothing than that which you concede
to be the duty we'll as the right Of those whose
convictions are strong 10 uphold them with vgor and
steadfastness.'
That am not singular In this impression is shown
by the fact that number both Of ministers and elders
representing both Sides spoke TO Of 1t at the Close
as also overheard many speaking TO each other, with
peculiar satisfaction, regarding 1t encouraging
illustration OF the efficacy OF prayer" In which, as
you pertinently say, do believe, and the result OF
added supply OF grace" for which we did earnestly
petition" when came together and did earnestly
give thanks when separated. With long experience
of such occasions, ! emphatcally declare that
have been present at none that could be less fairly
charged with speech that would dlscredit political
caucus" or an assembly of Christian brethren trust
that you will give the benefit OF this disclaimer
freely you have conveyed the opposite impressions
that have to you from other private infOrmar
ton" Good and good objects invariably expect
honorable dealing and candid hearing from The tribune
No. $50 West Thirty first ST., NewYork oct 8, 1891
THAT the editorial In question was fair and
warranted by the facts is borne out by the ad.
missions of our amiable correspondent. TO refer
to a single instance, he acknowledges that DR..
Booth used in an impulsive reply" to DR.. Clark S
unexpected statement the words: O. That is not
true before God, it is not true" but explains
that this implied only "misapprehension and griev-
GUS error DR.. Elliot may read with profit the
editorial in The Evangelist this week, written
evidently by DR.. Henry NJ. Field, who took part
in the discussion. lie refers to the effort of some
of the conservatives to shut out Dr. AleXanders
substitute, after he had withdrawn it temporarily,
as rather sharp practice. He speaks of the
indignation" exhibited by President Hastings,
and sums up the issues of this exciting day :
When men are greatly infamed with passion, it
is good for them to let off steam; to give express
sion to the feelings of which they are full 1t
keeps them from bursting with pent-up rage. So
in this case we think there is feeling of relief
all round Both sides feel better" To this might
be added the charge, made openly on the floor of
the Presbytery, that the room was packed with
Union Seminary students to add influence by their
applause and that on the rollcall attempts were
made to vote upon the names of at least two abb
sent members This looks remarkably like a
political caucus. That the brethren were sorry
for their rashness is TO be expected from Christian
gentlemen; the pity is that they forgot that old
time injunction, " BE courteous. Ed