St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-28
.,s s,tts E
SESSION OF THE NEW YORK PRES
BYTERY Az VERY LIVELY
ONE.
DR.. HALL 70 70 J: THE FRONT.
HE THOUGHT THE PREsBYTERY
OLD ENOUGH TO CARE FOR
ITSELF.
OLD UNION SEMINARY TROUBLE.
Vote When Taken Was Against Ac-
cepting Instructions Given by
the General Assembly.

NEW YORK, April 2.-The meeting of the
New York presbytery today for the purpose
of voting on the report of the committee on
the minutes of the general assembly proved
to be the liveliest session that body has held.
year ago the presbytery asked the general
assembly for advice in the matter of receiv-
ing candidates for the ministry. The general
assembly replied as follows:
1--WE recommend that the presbytery of
New York be instructed and enjoined not
to receive under its care for licensure, stu
dents who pursuing, or purpose to pur-
sue, their studies In theological seminaries
respecting whose teaching the general as
sembly disavows responsibility"
The committee on the minutes of the gen.
eral assembly consisted of Rev. Dr. John C.
Bliss, DR.. w. w. Atterbury and George H.
Hyde. These gentlemen presented their re-
port last week. The report stated:
''Your committee reports that, having ex-
amined the minutes of the assembly, we find
the only subject requiring the special atten-
ton to be that presented in answer to the
overture from this presbytery for instruction
relative to its duty toward students apply
ing to be taken under its care.'
I'm It's answer, the general assembly gives
this presbytery certain instructions. to which
all due consideration should be given US by
as loyal presbyters. But the assembly fur
ther proceeds to enioin the presbytery as to
its action with reference to the licensure of
these students. In thus attempting to au-
thoritatively control the presbytery in this
matter, 1t seems to US that the general as
sembly exceeds its powers"
1t was this second paragraph that resulted
in a three hours wrangle. It was understood
that the general assembly aimed at Union
been so much controversy for the past few
years, and today the members of the presby-
terry who sided with the general assembly
urged that the report of the committee should
not be adopted.
DR.. John Hall caused a sensation when he
said that his idea Of what the presbytery
should do would be to say in reply to the gen.
eral assembly "that the presbytery Of New
York desires to report respectfully that 1t only
receives ministers from other presbyteries or
denominations on being satisfied of their ac-
ceptance Of the standards of the church, and
that 1t is the presbytery's intention to apply
the principles in the preservation of
scriptural doctrines to all applicants for IL
cense; that the presbytery desires on the one
side to hold fast to the truth as embodied in
our standards, and at the same time in the in
terest of peace and mutual good will, does not
exclude from application for license students
who give evident assurance of their loyalty to
the standards of our church,
Rev. DR.. Charles s. Robinson said he would
not allow any majority of the presbytery to
speak for him, especially when the presbytery
sought to prevent the general assembly from
giving instruction.
II loath these discussions" said the speak
er; "they have been going on for four or five
years without any beneficial result
Rev. Charles l.. Thompson offered a resolu-
tion that the statement Of Dr. Hall be adopted
as substitute to the resolution of DR.. Alex
ander, who had moved that the language in
the report of the committee be considered as
the expression of the opinion of the presby-
terry. The motion to substitute the statement
read by DR.. Hall for the report of the COM
mittee caused no end Of confusion The re-
port of the committee had been accepted a
week ago, but that was all that was done
about it, and DR.. Alexander's motion that 1t
be considered the expression of the opinion
OF the presbytery was pending when Dr. Hall
read his statement today. DR.. Alexander sec
onded Mr.. Thompson's motion for the substi-
tute.
Rev. DR.. James Chambers, the moderator.
explained the matter to the members but. as
half dozen insisted on talking at once, only
few seemed to understand what was before
the meeting. Rev. J. Ford Sutton repeated
his arguments of week before that the gen.
eral assembly was supreme and that 1t had
perfect right to enjoin the presbytery. After
three hours discussion the substitute was
adopted by vote of 81 to AZ.
Rev. Mr.. Birch was heard from again. He
said 1t was the constitutional privilege of the
general assembly to give instruction to the
presbytery; the controversy was concerning
theological students Of Union seminary.
against whose errors In doctrine and illegality.
II not immortality, the assembly had already
borne testimony. A second vote was taken
on the amendment, and 1t was adopted by
vote of 81 to AZ.
Many members refused to vote on the ground
that they did not know what the vote was
tions, but Rev. ]. Ford Sutton was not satis-
fed, and stated that he would complain of the
proceedings tosthe synod. 1t would seem as If
the statement read By DR.. Hall expressed
the question Of majority Of the presbytery.
but at the next meeting the report of the COM
mittee may be taken up again and some other
action taken.