New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-25
ON TRIAL FOR HERESY.
THE REV. WILLIAM T. BROWN CHARGED
WITH HAVING ATTACKED THE CREED


Nev,-IIaven Conn., March 2-The heresy trial Of
The Rev. William r. Brown began at Madison this
morning The accused Is charged by prominent
members of his congregation with having attacked
the fundamental doctrines in the Congregational
creed in his sermons during his pastorate, which
has occupied three years.
The charges five in number. which were drawn up
nv the Rev. Dr. Blake of New-London. were sub
nit,ed TO a mutual council. which met in the Con-
gregational Church at Madison this morning The
council a formidable theological body. 1t en-
hraced the pastors Of all the neshboring Congresa-
tlona churches, including three theooglans OF Ma
t,onal reputation the Rev Drs. Newman Smyth,
T T. Munger and w. L. Phillips. Of this city The
Rev D. NJ James. OF Fair Haven. was chosen as
chairman Of the council. which sat in Its judiciary
capacity the charges.
The alleged heretical teachings were Iisteu uhuer
FIVE heads. as follows:
Doctrine of the Atonement as 1t is taught in Scrip,
ures and as it is commonly held by Evangelical
accept The Doctrine Of the InSar pn5
By Gn seash' a@s chuTche
s. He seems deny the Doctrine of the Trinity,
aT the scriptures to teach ii.
He minmizes. II he does not deny me authority
s. This charge includes expressions attributed to
him which tend 70 lead men to think ghtiy OF rhe
religion of the Bible and OF Christ as our saviour
The proceedings began with the reading of the
resolution by authority OF which the council was
called. The Rev. Frank Countryman was then
elected scribe, and Professor Brastow led in prayer
The relation of DR.. Blake. of New-London, TO the
matter explained by Moderator James as being
merely perfunctory.
He took charge OF the prosecution only at the re-
guest Of Dr. smyth. Dr. Blake followed, and said
that had he known what he was getting into, he
would have had anything TO do with the mat
ter.
1t was announced that the proceedings would fol-
1or al judicial
Harsh, the leader of the forces against the Rev.
Mr. Brown stated that it was not the original intent
TO impeach the pastor the charge of heresy, but
that the minority had been informed that this was
the only way the question Of his orthodoxy could
be examined and the congregation advised He then
The question 81 he afa 81 ne roSg
forth quotations OF sermons tendns TO prove In9
declared that If God called upon Christ to sacrifice
himself for mankind. ne was a devl or a mons ,i
death was not foretold or foreknown. II was said
that he had declared that Christ was not Saviour;
but a preacher, and that forgiveness py the Doou
The main argument against his denial OF the In.
the Rev. Mr.. Brown had stated that the birth OF
C others cS Mps b but mere could the Doctrine
Of the Incarnation was explicitly denier:
passed over 1t was understood that the minority
preferred this charge on the ground that me Hey.
his sermons The charge was therefore preferred
that he denied it. II was generally accepted that
this charge withdrawn.
To support the fourth charge. that the authority
Of the Bible was minmized. 1t was said that the
had declared that searching OF the script
ures through and through would reveal no such
thing eternal life: that he had affirmed that the
world would have been just as well OH II the -FOUR
Gospels had not been written. and that under some
circumstances George Eliot was as good reading as
the bble.
The fifth charge, containing miscellaneous quo
tatOns from the minister's sermons tending TO be-
little the Bible. was withdrawn. This closed the
for the prosecution.
Mr. Browns disposed of the charges one
by one He replied to the quotations from his ser
mons either by DENYING that ne ever uttered them
stated by showing that what he SAID was en-
TREY different from what had been quoted
The Council remained in secret session until 6:.5,
when II adjourned. Tomorrow the Council viii,
meet at noon, and it Is expected that BY or
oc.ock decision In the case Will be reached