The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-19
PETTTS DRY GOODS co.
HIS VIEWS ATTACKED
Prof. Garvin May Have an Exper-
fence Similar to DR.. Briggs.
Christian Church Conference at Craw-
louisville to Take Action Against
Buffers PrOfessOr-His Defense.

At yesterday mornings session of the
Third district Christian missionary conven-
vention, now being held at Charlottesville.
there was a general discussion concerning
teachings Of Professor Garvin, of the
theological department OF Butler Univer-
sity, and the committee to whom the mat
ter was referred presented the following
resolution:
That it is the Judgment OF this conven-
ton that the churches of this district
should reject all teachers who teach any or
all Of the following doctrines: l. Repent
ance before faith in the salvation of sin
ners. 2. Baptism OF Holy Ghost and fire
BIS taking place now. 3. Judaism as being
the religion Of humanity, and Christianity
as only new spirit put into it. 4. And
that the death of Christ had no more to do
with the salvation Of men than that of any
other good man. .. And that the gospel Of
Christ is only a power among other powers
In the salvation of man."
This resolution was adopted by a unani-
nous rising vote, and it is the intention TO
bring this matter prominently before the
officials Of Butler University and ask for
the removal Of Prof. c. H. Garvin.
Professor Garvin was seen last night
No petition or resolutions Of any sort have
been received by him. Influential members
Of the university board have strongly ad-
vksed the Professor to pay no attention
whatever TO the matter, and. should such a
petition reach him, to return It unopened.
Although Professor Garvin had known of
the disturbance at the Columbus conven-
tion, he entirely unaware of the
Charlottesville action.
AS the principal teacher in the theological
department, lecturing especially upon the
Greek Testament, Professor Garvin natur-
ally discusses many doctrinal points, in
which laymen. as a rule, take no interest.
Some of the conclusions which he derives
from his study Of the Scriptures, and
which he says he is ready to defend on
Bible authority, have been very unfavor-
ably received by the ministers of his
church, who claim that his teaching is not
IN line with general views of the members
Of the Disciples Church At the meeting
of the college directors on last Wednesday
the board discussed the matter Of the Bible
school, in Connection with the controversy
which has arisen. The discussion lasted
several hours, but no direct motion was
made except TO inquire into the matter. A
COMMITTEES consisting OF p. II. Jameson, H.
U. Brown, a. r. Armstrong, II. B. Gale,
-. Nj. Blount and j. 6. Miller, was APP
pointed and given power TO call a meeting
OF the board II deemed necessary. The
general impression, however, Is that no
further move will be made until the next
session OF the directors in June.
Professor Garvin is conceded to be one
OF the most scholarly men the Christian
Church has ever had He has devoted years
TO the study of the Bible, both while in
Germany and America. He is thoroughly
converSant with all modern languages, and
Hebrew, Greek and Latin. His comments
on the Hebrew Scriptures are said by his
accessible TO scholars. He is in the deepest
sense a genuine Bible student. All his
views are based upon Scripture, and are
results Of such thought and study as but
Few men give to the subject. His depart
ment IN the college IS I'm q fiOurishing con-
dition- The Bible pupils are mature men
OF from five TO ten years experience in
Professor Garvin does not recognize the
authority of the Charlottesville meeting.
and holds himself accountable only TO the
official board Of the college in whose serv--
Ice he is engaged: The. doctrines men
toned in the crawfordsville resolutions, as
far as regards Garvin'S belief and teach
Ing, are thrse-fourths Incorrect he having
never spoken or taught them. His sup
porterS say that IL is not a Briggs case
at all, except as regards animus, for the
church involved is congregations In that
case, too, they tried their man, but in this
instance the action has been taken before
the charges are established. The ssnti-
ment among the students was freely ex-
pressed last night. His pupils are, without
exception. his enthusiastic admirers and de-
voted followers. None of the preachers. 1t
IS understood. at either convention have
ever asked Professor Garvin for his views,
and II is charged they have acted on hear
say only. There has been considerable dis
cussiOn OF the subject in the church paper
the especial point Of controversy being that
Garyin breaches repentance before faith.
He has contributed several articles on this
doctrine TO the Christian Standard.
In response 10 question TO his posi-
ton, President Butler said that as 70 the
dOctrinal points at issue he took no inter-
est in the controversy. but added: "As a
matter INVOLVING, free thought. free speech
and free Bible, / should not be the son OF
my father If L did not stand by Professor
Garvin."