The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-28
AGAINST HEREsY TRIALS.
Presbyterian Assembly Makes DIR. Nc
GifIert His Own ENecutiOner.

Giffert His Own EXecutiOner.
WINONA, Ind. May 27.-By a large ma
jority. voting viva Voce. the Presbyterian
General Assembly decided this afternoon not
to naugurate another heresy trial in the
case of Professor McGifert, but to ask him
to withdraw if he cannot reconcile his views
with the church's standards. Professor Nc
Giffert was practically directed to act as
jury and executioner on himself. The ac-
ton was in the adoption of the following
resolution which was substituted for the
final paragraph of the report on the bills
and overtures submitted on Wednesday:
That the assembly. in a spirit of kind
ness no less than in devotion to TRUTH coun-
sells Professor McGiffert to reconsider the
Questionable views set forth in his book
and If he cannot conform his views to the
standards of our church. then to peace
ably withdraw from the Presbyterian min
istry.''
The debate on the case occupied the aft
ernoon session. Half an hour each was
given to DIR. Sheldon Jackson, DR.. Plummer
Bryan and Dr. Francis Brown, the first
signers of the three reports before the as
sembly. The discussion by the assembly
was limited to fve-minute speeches, which
occupied half an hour in all. DR.. John
Dixon, of Trenton. N. j., closed the debate
on behalf o.. the majority report. DIR. Jack
son said the purpose of the majority was to
condemn the book and to bear testimony to
the churchs rejection of its teachings. He
depored heresy trials saying that New
York had had enough already and that New
York's delegation begged that the case be
not sent back TO them. He said that the
present recommendation was signed by
thirteen out of eighteen committeeman now
present. DR.. Bryan. of Chicago claimed
that the question was one of constitution
not of doctrine. and that to adopt the ma
Jority report was to condemn a man un-
heard. He said the assembly was not COM
petent to pass judgment, few having read
the book, and he deprecated Presbyterian
index expurgatorius. He foresaw that the
majority report would be futile, since the ac-
cused might reply: Il will not go out; put
me out. He said that the first minority re-
port did not PREJUDICE the case but followed
constitutional lines, and would give the &C
cused chance to explain The views eX-
pressed in the book. Dr. Brown said that
certain teachings of the book were alleged
10 be erroneous. and that the second minor
lty report put the stamp of the asSembly's
olsapprovai upon any such teachings. He
sald the time was not opportune to iRvesti
gate these charges now, as the church need
ca all It's energy TO prosecute the work be-
fore II. The report did not condemn sthe
man unheard. but did condemn the erron-
scus opinions alleged TO be contained in the
book He said ali forward movements were
accompanied by disturbances. citing con-
hicts over geology. evolution and biblical
chronoIegy, but said that. in comparison
with European scholarship. McGiffert was
conservative. He added that such action as
hlat proposed by the majority would tend
70 repel young men from entering the min
lstry of the Presbyterian Church. and that
1t would lead to a disturbing agitation
He closed by stating thafSeDr. McGiffert
was loyal to his subscription<to the great
Fundamental doctrines of the church. After
brief discussion by commissioners vote
was taken: That for DR.. Browns report
recommending no action. was considerable
IN volume. That for heresy trial in Mew
YORK was much smaller, while the majority
report was adopted by large majority and
the case was at an end.
one Item of miscellaneous business this
morning was the declaration of the adop-
ton of an amendment TO the constitution of