Evening star., 1894-04-03
Varies the Presbyterian Hue of the
Washington Delegates.
SESSION OF THE PRESBYTERY TODAY
Echoes Of the Briggs Case and
Symptoms Of the Smith.
MANY MATTERS OF ROUTINE

DR.. Briggs heard at the session this morn
ing Of the spring meeting of the presbytery
Of Washington city in the chapel of the
Church of the Covenant. There was also
| a rumbling premoaition of the expected
contest, which will take place at the meet
ing of the general assembly at Saratoga
in May next, over the ca Sc of Rev. Preserve
Smith. Neither the echo nor the premoni-
tory rumble attained any great proportions
or diverted to any extent the time of the
presbytery, but still the atmosphere was
rather charged with these influences so
that the attention of all was kept on the
alert. In the midst of 1t ALL however, there
was the greatest harmony and good feeling
manifested and he session seemed to be
enjoyed by all the members.
The echo or suggestion of the Briggs case
was heard when the letter of dismissal of
Rev. Howard Wilbur Ennis, the pastor
elect of the Western Church Of this city,
from the North Chassis of Rhode Island of
the Dutch Reformed Church to the pres
bytery in this city presented. AS Mr..
Ennis was a member of another denomina-
ton it was suggested by Rev. DIR. Bittinger
that the examination for his admission as
provided for in the rules be proceeded with.
Rev. DR.. Hamlin made the point that
when a minister came from a denomina-
animation was not necessary. DR.. Bittin-
ger, however, conteLded that the rules
would have to be complied with and he
was requested by Rev. Alvin Smith to read
the rule referred to.
While Mr.. Bittinger looking up the
rule this point having been waived by Mr..
Ennis, Rev. Mr.. Ramsdell, as chairman of
the committee, proceeded with the examin-
alton.
In response TO questions, Rev. Mr.. Ennis
said that he was in entire sympathy with
the doctrines Of the Dutch Reformed
Church, and added that when he was pre-
pairing for the examination before the
classis he read up on the doctrines of the
Presbyterian Church. Replying to fur
ther questions as to whether he believed in
the inspiration of the Scriptures, he said
| that he accepted the Bible as the Word of
| God and when DIR. Bittinger asked him
whether the Bible was a perfect and in
that he believed that II was. He stated his
| belief in future punishment and also in the
doctrine of vicariouS atonement.
Other Questions Answered.
Rev Mr.. Ramsdell expressed his salts
faction with the answers given In the
| opinion OF Rev. DR.. Hamlin, this case illus
trated the point that he made, namely, that
| this was not complete theological exami-
nation. as the rules required and he
| thought 1t was a farce to have a rule and
not carry it out Exception was taken to
this opinion by Rev. Mr. Ramsdell and Rev.
Dr. Bttinger. and the latter thought that
| Dr. Hamlins position was rather hyper
critical However, DIR. Bittinger was
further moved to ask Mr.. E. ais if he
agreed with the deliverances made by the
last general assembly, and Mr.. Ennis said
| that he did. The examination came to an
! end right there, and the call from the
| Western Church was presented by Elder
simpson and accepted by Mr.. Ennis
Later in the session the attention of the
presbytery became once more aroused over
! discussion which was held preliminary to
| the election of delegates to represent the
presbytery at the next meeting of the gem
eral assembly, which will be held in Sara
| toga in May next. When this order of bus
mess came up, Rev. Mr.. Alexander, the
pastor of the West Street Church in George
town, and the successor in that pulpit of
I Rev. DR.. Fullerton nominated Dr. Fuller
| ton as one of the clerical commissioners
explaining that he had done so without con-
sultation with DR.. Fullerton He expressed
| mis- appreciation of the assistance which he
had received from DIR. Fullerton, and said
that he was glad for personal reasons TO
place his name in nomina ton.
| DIR. FuIIerton's Statement
Surprise was expressed by Dr. Fullerton
| that his name had been mentioned. He
said that he would consider il an honor TO
| represent the presbytery at the general as
sembly. He wished, however, to be very
frank. for the reason that a judicial case
would probably como before the assembly
IN regard to which he would probably rot
| be able to represent the sentiments of a
| majority of the presbytery. The popular
| idea was he said. that this case which was
| that of DR.. Smith, was similar TO the
judicial case namely that Of DR.. briggs,
which was before the last assembly II
was popularity opposed that these cases COW
| cred the same ground, and if the general
assembly reaches different decision in the
smith case from that 1t did in the Briggs
case then it will be generally supposed thar
| the assembly is taking a lack step
Dr. Fullerton, however. said that he did
| not consider the two cases Identical DIR
| Smiths views were never taught in a
| class room or preached from pulpit He
| did, however state to personal friends his
doubts about the doctrine of inerrancy.
| The Ministers Associa ton of Cincinnati
| asked him to prepare a paper setting forth
| his views. paper on the same subject
was presented at the same time by Prof
| criticised, yet he was granted letters of
! dismissal. but in the case of Mr.. Smith
his paper, as well as his letters to the
| Evangelist, were made the basis for
| charges. The case will come I'D before the
| next assembly on the single basis of the
| doctrine of inerrancy. The fact that it is
| so largely a personal case and also his dis
| agreement with the assembly in deciding
| that this doctrine was fundamental led him
| to the conclusion that he could not properly
| represent the presbytery. He had no doubt
| of the right of the general assembly to de-
| eide it did, but 1t is to be remembered
! that there is distinction between a funda-
| mental and q nOn-eSSential doctrine. In his
| opinion, the general assembly declared the
| doctrine of inerrancy as fundamentals and he
| questioned the propriety of this decision,
on the ground that 1t is not SO stated in
| the Confession Of Faith
DR.. HamIin and the Minority.
Upon the conclusion of Mr.. Fullertons
remarks, Rev. Mr. Van Wyck said that in
the event that DR.. Fullerton withdrew his
name, he would present the name of Rev.
| Mr.. Ramsdell. 1t was explained that the
presbytery was entitled to two clerical and
| two lay delegates. and thereupon Mr.. Van
Wyck moved that Revs. Ramsdell and Full
| erton be elected. The name of Rev. DR..
! Sunderland was placed in nomination by
| Rev. DIR. Bittinger. He said he was un
| willing to vote for any man who found
| himself in doubt on these doctrines. The
| present he said, was no time for doubt.
| He however, expressed kind personal feel
ings for DIR. Fullerton. The opinion was
| stated by DIR. Hamlin that instead of DIR.
| Fullerton's statement disqualifying him to
act as delegate, it showed his eminent
qualification. He would rely on his ability
| and candor to vote on these questions He
| then urged the members of the presbytery
| to consider that there is in the church and
also in this presbytery minority on these
questions and minority that has some
| rights. II belong to the minority he said,
"and / don't agree with DR.. Fullerton's s
, views" He questioned the wisdom of the
| action of the last general assembly
| He thought that it would be fair and