The morning call., 1894-05-26
WHO BECAME A FAVORITE
Though the Moderator Sup
pressed the Applause.
OF THE BIBLE.
lnerrancy Cannot Be Argued Until
the Originals of the Scriptures
Are Found.

SARAToGA(N.Y.), May 25.-The proceed
ings in the Smith case, which is an appeal
against the heresy proceedings at Cincin-
natl, to-day reached the last order. and the
members began to give expression to their
individual views as The roll was called
FOrty-6ve three-minute speeches were de-
livered, and the trend of opinion was
shown by the fact that My eleven of
them were in favor of sustaining the ap-
peal. A feature of the proceedings con-
sisted in the abrupt closing of many of
these efforts occasioned by the fall of the
moderator's gavel. The proceedings con-
cluded with speech made by member
of the prosecuting committee, who was
introduced as "a plain man and farmer"
Professor Smith replied in the hour
given to him, and tho synod of Ohio, as
the body appealed from. occupied sixty-six
minutes. The calling of the roll Of the
assembly, to give an opportunity to be
heard. was then begun and continued
until adjournment. The most effective
speech was that of Elder McDougal of
Cincinnati, whose main contention was
that to support the appeal was to approve
the teachings Of Mr.. Briggs. and he ex-
claimed Don't reverse the Briggs
verdict" He called the attention
to the defence between Judge and
juryman and likened the members
Of the assembly to judges. Express
sions of opinion by them did not indicate
prejudice. He insisted that the present
was not a personal question, but one of
principle, because it was the faith of the
church that was on trial. Professor
Smith WAS declared to hold that
the decisions of Portland and Washing
ton assemblies were wrong and should be
reversed. He was declared to have gone
further than DR.. Briggs in bis views. hold
ing not only that errors may have been
contained in the original Scriptures, but
even specifying them. He was also ac-
cused of throwing dscredit not only upon
the books of the Bible, but also upon the
author of the same, who. 1t is claimed By
the confession. is God himself. He closed
by saying that if Professor Smith would
retract his errors the presbytery of Gin
cinnati would make haste to receive him
again in full connection.
One of the representatives. of the synod
of Ohio, DR.. Ludlow of Cleveland, be-
sought the assembly 10 remem ber that the
church has always contained two parties,
and that its present action might lead to o
division in the denomination.
The refusal of ths assembly to sit to-
night was due to WEAKNESS, but it win give
ample opportunity for the preparation of
a large number OF brief speeches, which
promise to prolong the sessions of the as
sembly by several hours.
1t was IL o'clock when Professor Smith
began his reply. He regretted that the
committee sought to impress the assembly
with the belief that he did not value the
Bible highly. He always endeavored 10
live by that book. Professor Smith dis
cussed the objections he had made to men,
bers sitting in the lower court, who had
printed expressions concerning his guilt.
1t was admitted that the address in
which the original charges were based
contained statements which are not in ac-
cord with the doctrine as stated by the
prosecution. Professor Smith went on to
say. however, that he had not denied any,
thing about the original autograph, be-
cause he had no evidence on the subject.
The Bible as we have 1t is evidenced to us
by the testimony of the Holy Spirit, but
in the present shape 1t contains admitted
errors, which. however. do not discredit
the books as given by Inspiration of God.
The matter of the innerancy of scripture