New-York tribune., 1896-06-04
EyAUJyED BY THE PRESBYTERY.
WILLIAM J. HUTCHINS APPEARS brro"H
THE COMMITTEE AT THE CLASSON-
AVE CHURCH.

Conservative theology and higher criticism met
at the meeting Of the Brooklyn Presbytery III INC
Classon-ave. church Tuesday night, and Tor more
than two hours the old question oil the hls''''S"'
value of the Old Testament, particularly the rem
tateich was thoroughly discussed. The Prespy'ery
met for the purpose OF examining William D. Hutch-
ms a recent graduate of Union TheoosicaI oe'''-
nary. with view to his ordination. Inc eNaiii'''
ing committee consisted OF the Rev. Drs. hoi""a'
and Wells DR. Charles Cuthbort Hall being absent.
Dr. Holiday began the examination In response ~
his ep,estions Mr. Huchins said that the doc''ha'
system of the Prcsbyterian Calvinstic or Au-
gustinian or to go further back. the doctrine o.
Paul He avowed his b. lief In the three persons Vi
the Godhead and IN the doctrine OF foreordi"a''o".
Ito believed that God could control free moral
agent with reference to the creation oil man. "e
accepted the Scriptural account OF 1t with limi,a-
tlous Questioned as 10 his belief in the possoh'V
OF infant sinfuness he said that "sn was trans
gression Of the law: wlfu departure from "ou.
We can't sin until we do sin lie did not resa'u
infant baptism as a symbol OF puriicaton from
uncleannsss but as ceremonial Significant Oh HIS
relationship Mr.. Hutchins gave William ADAMS
Browns definition Of Inspiration.
Dr Fox then questioned the candidate with reier-
ence 10 his belief about the constructor Vi III"
Tabernacle and wanted 10 know whe'ner ne 'e
lieved tho Scriptural account. Mt. hu'cn'nS 'au
that the Tabernacle was undoubted'y puI'' ~ ~,
vine Instruction. but that all great schoars' Win
construction Of the Tabernacle were not OF Mosaic
origin Or Fox then tried By series OF tle most
searching questions to ascertain how nuch OF the
historical Bible the candidate believed This part OF
,he examination disclosed that Mr. Hutchns was
not clear as 10 some Of the doctrines OF the Chur'h'
and ,ho, IN some instances he was inclined Z" give
cr.a, weight To the theories of profound schoiars'
Ir Fox propoundel his questions with the kechhess
of professor OF mental philosophy ana az , tne
Gnesre of an accomplished attorney. Inc 'hu'iuia."
an ,wo or three occasions said he was not suhc"h'-
IL learned TO dogmatzc. ana that 80 lat as No|'VD "
v,rsial Scripfure was concerned h" wcuu ieIlCr. II
entirely rather than drive one inclined TO skeplclsn
away from the church by insisting on an ac'ep.ahce
~ u, H.. b,d not know how much OF the Pentatcucn
was Mosaic and asserted that HIS religion was uot
bound on n belief In the Mosaic construction OF tne
p.ntateuch He believed the inspired writers might
make mistakes in chronology ,, rr
FIX rOs, to address the Presbytery. ana san tha'
,hnngh profoundly impressed by the scholarly at
,ainm.nis and charmed by the frankness OF INC
canIila,e NJ. WAS gr!eve1 TO observe In him certain
Tendencies TO accept that socallet higher critl-
cism' OF the scriptures which ovcrturnS the ms
,nr,,i statements OF the Bible. Though he had SAL
m, these opinions only TENTATIVE tn"y coulu
IN h,m no greater unkindness than to ask him to
ufier the formula required oi al cihlui1tes iyI
holy orders. lie has not been sIenrri, ne T"lH
ION the contrary he has b" N licensed 70 preacn
ami can minister to the Bradford people as We'll
rra.,,csliy as II the ceremony OF orln alton were
'onf.rr.I. LET him net their pastor for A year
Lrllcfs have given way g. wcll-grounl"l iaith IN
The cardinal doctrines Of our church shall well
come him. not only with my hand but win my
Zen u