Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-11-10
ASK FOR The RIGHT
PRoTtsT AGAINST IMPOSITION


cikrk1Asn. Nov. a-Tbe confrrercs
of presbyterian mipisters and isymen
concluded their deliberations aen n.
today ADD adloufned slns slss Ths fcl-
loving rt'eoiuiions we're prepared and
viii be pTinsed IN al ne chareh Ispers
besides being seaf 10 the rnesaters of tho
presbyterian church aud ministry
throughout the connfrs;
Flnt we believe that the rensral az
sembiy has no right q, smrcse upon ne
church rev doctrinal siAtAnsnts under
the gaoze of interpretstion. sisstier i,y
deiiserhncs OF through Judicial psocasf~
and further that Interpretation ~ dot
trino by the courts Of the church ought
always o. BE strictly within the letter of
the standards aud sith SACRED rnxari
% the broad aud generous ternls q ths
reunion Of lss0
scrspuisus Care E~sentisL
Second We believe that the mosf
scrupuloas care should be used IN al
trials for doctrinai divcrgeucics from
the standards. especially now when a
large majority Of tie presbyterians have
expressed. after much delibersiion. their
dissatisfaction with our confessi,sa q
faith. as u stands. their desire for iss re.
vision aud. many 81 them. their ccsire
for new creed We vies with great
concern procedures al such \ time con
Quoted 20 esyerest sentonce. by aha
seems 10 us interpretations ~ our sfand
ards. strained beyond thsir letter and
Tor beyond any just regard for the conl
pact OF the reunlon.
Thlrd-We believe that no court 81
our church has right by ceiiTerarco.
or resolution or rcbnke or otherwise. o.
seek 20 suppress respectful action by
judicatories below IL. expressive ~ their
anxiety and apprehension concerning
anything Ia the church which nesans %
them 90 imperil the constitutional liber-
ties of the church. or ~ any ~ its men,
bers Tie right u pctltion and rcmon.
church Of Christ
A Strained Interpretation.
Fourth-We believe that the interpre-
tation o; one or two phrases in our hook
Of Discipline as meaning that a prose-
cutting committee should become, from
the moment IL enters on its work. indie
pendent Of the court which appointed
H. capable OF living on even after the
iudicstory has died. and % prosecuting
after the iadicatory has acquitted. ia
strained Interpretation. leading logically
to many absurdities and easily rossibls
miscarriages of justice. In these phrases
are fairly susceptible q such interpreta-
tion. they ought % be eliminated from
the book.
fiffh-we believe that IL is no part
OF the constitutional power of any court
OF the church 10 warn honest Gnd God
fearing men to withdraw themselves
from its ministry or eidcrship. because
they cannot accept as binding upon
them Interpretations Of doctrine which
are outside the letter Of the confession.
and which have never been settled by
the sanction % the preebyterians ia any
legal way. This method q discipline
by withdrawal. enioined by ressiution of
church court - not provided for In
the book Of discipline. such warning
carries TO Obligation ot obedience.
Dr. johnson Eador~ed.
Sixth--We believe that our church -
broad and strong enough b. abide by
spirit of the compact OF re union ald 10
embrace In Its communion and its minis
try, all forms and schools u reverent
scholarship which accept the essential
and necessary articles ~ cur somnson
faith. acknowledging the Lord Jesns ns
divine master and savior ana the Bible
as the only fDfallibleruie q faith and
practice
Scvunth--We call upon al proshyter
ians 90 stand together In defense n
reasonable liberty ~ opinion in the
church aud Of the constitutional nights
cf individual members wherever a.
sailed: aud NC heartily approve of tils
protest Of Dr. Herrick johnson. Dt.
Niccols and eigbty-th Others a tie
last general assembly.
Eighth-We 10 most urgently counsl
our brethren who may 10 perTlcxrd
concerning their duty 90 abide IN tho
communion and service - tie church.
assured that ia 80 doing they remain
well within their constitutional risthts
ifaily Only profound Hfilse ~ The
peril that non besets our church he's
led us tasmhke this drclsrstion - what
=. 4 - -.