New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-26
THE REV. Mr.. SMITHS VIEWS.
HE DISAvOwS PUBLISHED REPORTS OF
WHAT HE SAID.
Mr. YEARANCE, WHO LEFT THE CHURCH WEEK
AGO ON ACCOUNT OF THE PASTORS SPOKEN



AGO ON ACCOUNT OF THE PASTORS SPOKEN
WORDS, Is SATISFIED NOW.
The Rev. Wilton Merle Smith pastor Of the Central
Presbyterian Church, in Fiftyseventhsf, yesterday
uttered two three sentences OF terse cxp@hauoh
and denial relative to his position on the question OF
higher criticism. lie sandwiched them In among the
announcements before the sermon. and then made no
nr her reference to subject These were his words
May add a word to what was said In TINS pulpit
last Sunday morning, t. correct the grossly inaccurate
reports which have been published dsavow In 1910
the sentiments which have been put into my mouth
| do believe In the cause Of liberty and oleraoi'
but to the personal case OF DR.. Briggs l nave
held all the time that that settled by the Assembly
and the decision should be- Loyalty accepted. Any
further agitation OF It should certainly depreca'e'
| add this simply In Justice to myself, FOR am not
willing to be put Into position have never held
This statement was made TO large congregation
among the members OF the church present DeiS JaeS
Yearance, Of the Equitable Life Assurance society,"
who was one OF the members who left the church OH
the previous sunday. when the pastor threw ont
what TO outsiders looked very much like challenge
Mr. Yearance ut that time told Tribune reporter
that Mr.. smiths statements had been "ill advised.
Yesterday after the service the manuscript OF Mr.
Smiths explanatory denial was given ont through
Mr. Ycaiance who, however, would say nothing be-
yond the single statement that the pastors explana
no trouble I'm the church. Inasmuch as the mem
Der, who left the congregation when the words were
uttered took exception to spoken and not 10 pup
lishpd sentiments. II is 10 be supposed that some
iu. ther adjustment made than appears In the
few words spoken the subject yesterday
Mr. smith declined to talk OH the matter after the
service and did not point out the published language
which he dis:vOwed These were the sentences, as
report d. which catscd the trouble:
me action of the AS,embly, In DR.. Brggs's
rasp was most unfortunate: | will not say UNJUST
In, whole question Is one Of Hebrew scholarship
am no Hebrew sch0lar, and don't Know anyuhhH
about it,
the jui gment Of the General Assembly can in no
WAY sCtt tho matter. Ii be settled at the bar
III the OF final resOrt-tle court or the "orli
.cnolarship Councils IN lhe day, Of Corernicis Ge
carcd that the round tho EARTH but that did
D, change the fact. There not five men In That
Assembly who competent 10 judge OF the matter.
do not understand that the decision OF the Assembly,
I'm any WAY changed tine inisp cation OF the ,onies
sion Of Faith for that nnuer the Constitution De
now ir, as he did before the decision. That was the
opinion Of the Assembly not the Judgment OF tne
whGle Church. For myself. cannot 500 why there Is
not room I'm the Presbyte Church ')r such men rs
pr. briggs or Union end DIR. Dodge. Oi PriEcet0h
have determined make this statement. for Won are
nv people and you have n right hear Ii and do VII IN
me n you Will. Iu must say am strongly 10 the
liberal sda but still can. and will. extend my hand
10 any man who believes In the Lord Jesus Christ
will oNiciate until September. He announced tpaf he
would sail for Europe July 3. on the Cmbrir: Many
Of his congregation pressed forward to bid MIN goou-
". -