The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-17
PROF. SMITHS OFFENsE.
Dr.. McKIbben Endeayors to Prove the Charges
Against the Alleged Hereto.

CINCINNATI. Nov. 18.-Ths trial Of Prof.
Henry Preserved Smith before the Cincin.
natl Prssbyt terry was delayed in opening
this morning by the hardness of the stated
clerk. and was still further delayed by
criticisms and objections TO the minutes,
and especially by . question IS to what 10
proper TO put into the minutes, and what
should 90 into the record of the court.
After obtaining light from the order of pro-
cedurs in such eases from the standard of
the church it was left to the clerk to de-
eide how the minutes and the record
should be made mp.
Tho argument of the prosecution began
with DE-. MoKibben 90 tho first speaker.
He began by saying there were two things
to be settled. First, the suffioiency of the
specifications to sustain the charges, and,
secondly. did tho charges constitute an
offensei His treatment was plain and
easy. and his Language familiar % well az
forcible. In illustrative the necessity for
charges TO constitute an offense. he said it
might be charged and proven that minis
ter did not dress in accordance with the
taste of some other person, but such o
Gong into the question. not of the truth Of
the charges, but of their sufficlepcy, he
held that to teach that q minister may
abandon essential features of doctrine
and still rightfully retain his position
We are not Armenians. said he. nor free
agents; we are Calvlnists One Of the o.
sential features of the system of Calvinism
Is the authority OF the Word OF God. Its
doctrines are inculcated because they ere
H<Ht
was called on to put an end to the Presby-
toriAn Church. there could be no better
way to do it than to teach the doctrine
which the charges ascribe to Professor
Smith. To teach that all that 10 required
of . minister - TO be in accord with the
doctrines of the church whom he enters tho
ministry. and then be permitted to vary
hia belief aftsrward and stiil retain his po-
eltion a. minister 10 assurodly an odsnsA
Even she installation vow ives . contract 70
teach the essential doctrines Of the church.
Coming to the second charge. he said the
committee believed that the inerrancy of
the Bible meant that IL was absolutely
true when We understand what it means.
Inspiration meant infailibility. or it is not
inspiration: and We went to stand where
tho Son of God stood and say: Every
word which procsedsth out OF the mouth
of God 10 true" That 10 inspiration and
lievos Professor smith does not teach any
inspiration at all. 10 not that On offensef
he asked. The temper of DR.. McKIbben's
argument was excellent. Speaking of
Smith at one time. be said: II have no
controversy with him. but only with his
views. l believe his heart 10 right. Nv
hope IL his head and heart may be brought
in unison"
During tho progress of his argument DIT.
Mckibbon made numerous citations from
mitree's statements of the charges To
this Professor smith objected. ~ u was In
Producing matter TO which his attention
had not been called by the prosecution.
The moderator overrnled the objection.
Professor Smith appealed. and vote W as
taken. Thirty-cight voted TO sustain the
moderator. twenty -fve against sustaining,
and eleven members declined to vote.
While this could not be regarded IS al IN
dication Of the vote on the main Issue. the