New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-15
DIR. WGIFFERT CRITICISED.

HIS VIEWS OF THE LORDS SUPPER CAUSE
DISCUSSION.
Passages from book recently published by the
Rev Dr. Arthur c. McGifert member OF the
faculty Of Union Theological Seminary, and called
"A History OF Christianity in the Apostolic Age
are creating considerable discussion and some un-
favorable comment In Presbyterian circles. Dr. Nc
Gfert is member of the New-York Presoytery
and Washburn professor OF church history IN
Union Theological Seminary. He was graduated at
Adelbert College. and for some time at Lane
Seminary. in Cincinnati. He came to Union Theo-
logical Seminary in 1879. The passages In his DOCK
that have caused discussion relate to the Lords
Supper. Professor McGnert contendng that the
Lords Supper intended by Christ TO have no
pascha meaning. and was merely social meal
Regarding this point ne says:
He not teaching theology. nor was ne CIV
ing yelled utterance to any mysterious dutn C1,
corning His person and work He was SIMPLY loIe-
telling His death and endeavoring 10 lnparJ 10 ms
disciples some ming OF that divine uust diG r'i ~
death. when His followers ate bread ana drank
emn monient in which Jesus mad broken P 2I III
their presence. and. with reference 70 us I'M
pending death. had pronounced the bread Ills oouy
ana the VINE HIS oood. am IeIieI Ds' re ;n
scene. their eating and drinking together mus IN
~ WI tro.a- ~ renoriai feasi in
HIM take on me character o. menu IL a
which they 'ooked back to His death ana he hau
looked forward to IT.
1t was reported yesterday that the New forK
Presbvterv would take some action regarding Pro-
fessor McGlmerts book at its meeting AT the First
Presbyterian Church in the afternoon, one member
Of the Presbytery saying that he had received
hundred letters calling attention TO the posiloh
taken by Professor McGiffert as TO the Lords sup
per The Presbytery however. In no way touche1
upon the matter DR. McGifert himself was not
there and his name was not mentioned AT the meet
ing
The Rev DR. Charles Cuthbert Hall. president OF
Union Theological Seminary said to tribune re-
porter yesterday afternoon: There is nothihs 10
say from the point Of view Of the Seminary. Thers
has been no discussion OF the matter, ana nave
no statement TO make about IT.
DR. McGifert when seen yesterday ABOUT the
matter. sold that ne did not know that ne was u
be tried for Neresy Other duties kept MIN away
from the meeting OF the Presbytery he thoueh'
that there were too many real troubles IN Ire
which fl was the duty OF the Presbytery 10 ols-
for any attention 10 he pald 10 such '''"e
The Rev. Dr. Walter D. buchanan. the Moderator
Of the ,'resbytery, said that he had not re"d IL
McGnert', "ooks but his attention naa Sve Ca''ei
O he speclal passage about the LORD : supper
can only say added Dr. Buchanan. that II ~
y atfanioo oP has been directed or similar pas
sage, II seems to me clear beyond all dispute tnai
exists despite all atter-day efforts to alter t. lie
Is not In harmony with the STANDARDS OF our
Church and | cannot what other course ne can
properly take except to separate himself from US
But II seems to me also that II correctly quoted
he is guilty Of more than contradlctlns the Wesl,,
minister teachings: he IS guilty of denying one OF
the tenets common TO all vangelical Christianity
nav even the Catholics are with in their belief
In the memorial and paschal significance OF the
Lords Last Supper ] do not see how there can
be any question between conservatives and lib
erals. how they can do otherwise than unite In
condemnation OF a teaching which would destroy
one IF the most cherished beliefs OF Christendom.
or course | do not wish TO be understood as con-
demnnx Or aiCGiffcrt offhand. BY all means let
IL first b. proved that he has made such state
men, as has been attributed to him, in the lam
guage attributed 20 him, and that ii is not
ceptibe OF any explanation putting it In different
light and giving ~ dlHcient Sltnlncahce from
The Presbytery transferred 10 the Albany Pres
bvtery the Rev Or. Henry T. MCEwen who some
time ago severed his relations with the Fourteenth
Street Presbyterian Church, and who is TO become
the pastor Of the Second Presbyterian Church. OF
Amsterdam " Y