Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-25
LATE NEWS BY WIRE
Continuation of the Smith Heresv
Trial.
THE ACCUSED REPLIES TO THE CHARGES
His Belief on the lnerancy Of tho
Scri ptures.
VIEWS OPPOSED TO HIS

SARATOGA. N. Y, May 25.-The first
hour in the Presbyterian general assembly
today was set for the reception of delegates
from the BaptistS now in session here The
delegates were DIR. A. II. Strong. president
Of Rochester Theological Seminary; DR.. G.
W. Northrup, dean of the divinity school of
University Of Chicago; DIR. Alva II. Hovey
of Newton Theological Institution; Hon. c..
". Kingsley of Massachusetts and Dr. II.
l.. MorehoCse, field secretary of the Amer
lean Baptist Home Missionary Society.
The assembly was then addressed by Drs.
Strong and Northrup, and an address in re-
ply was made by the moderator
The house was full during these exercises
In anticipation Of the opening of the Smith
case, which was set for 10 o'clock The
cOngratulatOry greetings were the order of
the day till 1920. when the assembly was
constituted as a court and addressed by
Elder Daniel II. Shields, a member of the
CINCINNATI prosecuting committee, who was
introduced as "a plain man and farmer. -
1t was announced that about three
quarters of an hour remained for the ap-
peal MI Shields argument transversed
the twelve grounds Of appeal forwarded by
Prof. Smith, and was read from manuscript
In the course of his remarks, Elder
Shields said that the committee did not for
a moment doubt the outcome of the matter
In the present assembly. He then proceeded
TO read few extracts from Prof. Smith 8
writings.
At the close of Mr.. Sheds speech the
assembly applauded, but the hand-clapping
was stopped by the moderator's gavel.
The prosecuting committee rested at a
few minutes before IL o'clock though they
still had six minutes to spare out OF their
four hours.
After the assembly had taken a short re-
cess. at the moderator's suggestion, Prof.
Smith began his argument in reply. He re-
GREETED that the committee had sought to
iu1nreSS rba ba iaf tbat
he did not value the Bible highly. On the
contrary he had always endeavored to live
by that book.
Prof Smith then proceeded to discuss
briefly the objections which he had made,
but which he had not thought fit to dis
cuss till they had been taken up by the
prosecuting committee.
They related to the sitting of members
of the lower court who had printed express
siOns concerning his guilt the refusal to
receive whole book in testimony when a
part had been introduced by the prOsecu-
ton. and the taking of a vote in a mem
ber's absence.
1t was admitted that the address on which
the original charges Were based contained
statements which are not in accord with
the doctrine as stated by the prosecution.
He went on to say. however, that he has
not denied anything about the original
autographs. because ne has no evidence on
the subject. The Bible, as we have it. is
evidenced to us by the testimony of the
Holy Spirit. But in its present shape 1t
contains admitted errors. which. however,
do not disCredit the book as given by in
spiratiOn Of God.
The matter of the inerrancy of the
Scriptures was next discussed and the Op-
pOsite influence drawn from the fact that
the ordinances of early Scripture were alb
rogated by later Scriptures. Such inerrancy
was declared 10 be new doctrine AMI quite
unknown TO the refOrmers. It was added
that if the assembly will restore the &C
cused to the ministry till the original of
the Scriptures are discovered he will spend
the rest of his days without fear.
Prof. smith Closes.
At u o'clock Prof. Smith closed his argu-
ment, and the program announced yester-
day. as agreed upon by the synod of Ohio.
was begun.
DR.. Townsend Of Cleveland opened. with
seven minutes to his credit.
DR.. Townsend's argument consisted in a
presentation OF the fundamental question
whether tnerrancy is unequvocally taught
In the Bible and confession OF faith
DR.. George l.. Kolb Of BeIefontafne fol-
lowed. He expressed the hope that the as
sembly may have grace given them to en-
able them TO restore the appellant 70 his
ministry His arSun ent was based upon
the contention that neither the Bible nor
the confession of faith contains a definite
theory of inspirat ton. and upon the assertion
that the accused holds strongly to the doc
trine of the Scriptures. as formulated In the
doctrinal standard of the church
The committee on correspondence reported
In favor of a meeting in Convention Hall
on sunday night at quarter-paSt o. in which
the assembly shall join with the baptists
now in session in a common service. The
speakers named were Drs. Marquis of Chi
cagO, Mimic of San Francisco and Col Nc
Cook of New York.