The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-05-27
RELIGIOUS BOYCOTT
DR.. Scudder DenounCeS the
General
Action in the Case
of Union.
A DAMAGE TO CHRISTIANITY
Solomon Parsons Wakes Things Up
at Trinity-Memorial Services
at Many Churches.

The Rev. DR.. Scudder last evening at
the Tabernacle in a prelude to. his sermon
paid his respects to the Presbyterian
General Assembly for its action in boy
cotting the Union Theological Seminary.
HIS topic was Religious Boycotts," and
he said
Last week the United States witnessed
an eruption of intolerance rarely seen at
this end of the nineteenth century. The
centre of volcanic disturbance was Pitts
burg, and the mouth of the orator was
the General Assembly of the Presbyter-
ian Church. For years past there have
been significant rumblings and occasional
pyrotechnic displays, but last week there
was an overflow of theological lava which
was designed to bury Union Seminary
out of sight
This Assembly forbid the licensure of
all students who study or purpose to
study at Union Theological Seminary,
thus debarring all future graduates of
the institution from occupying Presby-
terrain pulpits. In other words this AS
sembly had the distinction of transferring
the boycott from the industrial to the
religious world. Now the boycott is a
cruel weapon in any sphere, but decided
ly out of place in the domain of religion,
Who cardinal principal is love; and its
employment in this instance is severely
condemned by all broad minded people.
In this age of light and liberty they are
at a loss to conceive how intelligent men
could SO far forget themselves as to de-
clare a formal boycott against this ven
cradle and useful institution of learning.
They were amazed at this sudden out
pouring of fanaticism.
A = C1TTT MIN TInNJ -
This action of the Assembly is the in
judicious elimination of a long-con-
tinued process of persecution, the goal
of a very insanity ''perssv erance of the
saints" Inasrnuch as candidates for the
ministry should be judged by what they
are and what they believe. rather than
by their attendance upon. any particular
i naai1Ta 6rIne q d dearnidng' u fnls t reee PreIpb 5y-
terrain denomination. and is a positive
damage to our common Christianity,
enduring an unusual strain AS a grad
uate Of Union Seminary, I publicly de-
nounce this unkind, unchristian act,
sents the Sc ntiments of many P~resbyter-
ian churches and a vast multitude of
F. 7ify w l9byn1aen; en prs99testan at,c6 Chris n;s-
ptry. and pities the puerility hat gave it
HAS THROWN A BOOMERANG.
In ~prono1ncing this Boycott the Cen
eral Assembly has thrown a boomerang
which will certainly return upon the
will suffer a loss. of elientage and Sc
cession of individual churches. Many
churches will defy the fat of this re.
continue to be supplied by students from
Union Seminary. and If the Presbyteries
will not license such men as they see fl:
Their connection with tine PresbyteriaD
body and become Independent churches
of Jesus Christ. like the Congregational
f~4e 80, D. - 4 f-&e A. rr11 n Us al = r
America want preachers who can think
for themselves. They have a enough
Of these clerical nonenft-es who ave al;
passed through. the same an%tiquated
theological machine and look as much
alike as pickets in a fence.
IF the General Assembly has anchor
ed in mid-stream and refuses to advance
with the times, many individual churches
will decline to follow their example and
will continue to sail with the current of
d~c,nines cannot arrest the stately march
Of relig Gus evolution.
MO FEAR FOR THE SEMINARY.
A far. as the seminary is concerned
we entertain no fear for IFS future. 1t
Is to be congratulated, for this action of
the Assembly is equivalent to name
patton, from sectarian control ana inter
ference, the assurance Of a broader life.
an increased usefulness and an enlarged
t @Srsfi t. J fbo,, g gbffu1 ay ,nGsnen5 Ssnae manS Hf
fellow, h VIII not. consent to receive
his training in a Theoretically sealed
9He loves fresh air ard demands in
tellectual elbow room. He will quietly
senore the General Assembly, attend
Igaspss seip 70 eTsae he { glaase co aaa gst h55
bodies, after which he can be. called to
Presbyterian pulpits with little d ficulty.
come a mighty undenominat oaal theo-
logical university. For years the Cen
eral Assembly has given It a nlagnif-
cent advertisement and placed 1t at
last on a lofty pedestal. The Institution
is attracting the attention OF bre,d-
minded and wealthy philanthropists, VINO
give it the prominence Il deserves.
Being e progressive institution in touch
with the times, / predsct for it Q glorious
for its president and facility, whose
coDscientiousnese and courage are an in
sp.ration to us ALL"