New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-27
DAY OF PRESBYTERIANISM.
ASSEMBLY CELEBRATES ADOPTION OF
THE CONFESSION OF FAITH.
DR. HILLS SPEAKS ON THE cHcRcH's iSFL' S''@
ON THE NATION THROUGH ITS EMPHASIS
or crxrrDUO AND YOUTH.

OF CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH
rpy TELEGRAPH To TIE rRIbUNrl
w,nona Lake Ind. May 26-This was Presby-
terrain day IN the General Assembly. ana dozen
formal papers read. showing the history OF
the Presbyterian Church since It's confession OF
faith was adopted by the Westminster Assembly
IN Isis No business transacted at either ses-
s,on except that which was in keeping with the
anniversary programme. But this does not mean
that nothing pertaining 20 the business OF the AS
semhly Is IN progress. There are TWO or three I'M
portant committees TO report yet, including the
one on temperance. whose resolutions may ca
forth a debate for hours. The McGifert case Is
now before the commissioners three reports pre-
,ented Yesterday being In their hands.
While all recognize the manly stand taken oy
Professor Francis Brown. OF the Union Seminary
in behalf OF his colleague and friend there Is httle
likelihood that the individual report presented by
him will be adopted. The commissioners are no.;
willing 70 do ANYTHING and II the Pittsburg Pres
bytery had not sent a memorial here II Is probable
that the matter would have been raised In the
Assembly.
II is hardly probable that the minority report sub
mitted by Dr. Bryan, OF Chicago In which seven
members OF the Committee on Bills and Overturrs
,o,n Will be adopted In the face OF formal pro-
test from the members OF the New-York Presby-
terry against requiring that body TO begin an in
qury which will doubtless end In judicial proceed
ings the Assembly would scarcely bs willing 10
order such course OF action.
II is most likely that the report OF the majority
will be adopted Many OF the commissioners
agree that the cause OF truth is maintained by the
deverance proposed by Dr. Jackson's committee.
that error Is properly denounced while the peace
OF the church IL left undisurbed In the suggestion
that Dr. McGinert explain his position or quietly
withdraw from the PRESBYTERIAN ministry
An article entitled "Dr. McGnerts Apostolic
Age" by Dr. Herrick Johnson OF Chicago. has
been freely circulated among the commissioners
since the committee made its report. DR.. Johnson
does not believe that the sweeping Arrangement OF
DR.. McGiferts hook is warranted by facts Dr
Johnson says:
Giffert misinterprete his belief. misrepresent
his position. Well. that has occurred 10 me as a
possibility. So. after reading some parts OF his
book over and over agin. and stu reaching the
conclusion that all great Evangelical doctrines
of our Church. he true to his Torie belief Of
Chrlstendom. and accepted without doubt or ques-
ton the diety OF Christ and of the Holy Spirit tho
Trinity the resurrection OF Jesus Christ from the
dead His ascension TO heaven. and kindred doc
trines. | did what would have another do 10 me
In like Circumstances. l wrote 10 him my belief,
based upon his book OF his full acceptance OF the
Evangelical faith and asked him II he could con-
sistently confirm my conclusion
DR. MCGIFFERTs REPLY.
''I am not at liberty to make public his letter in
reply but he distinctly authorized me to say that
he neither denies nor questions any OF those doc
trines. and that he is thorough going Evangelical
believer. standing sQuarey on the platform OF the
inspiration OF the Scriptures. When l made this
inquiry OF DR. McGifrert. had purpose to
write this article. His reply was written with no
hint suggestion from me. that was intending
n review OF his book.
MY sole contention Is that. however much the
writer OF The Apostolic Age may have exposed
himself to severe and merited criticism he IL not
open to the charge OF having tossed to the winds
the fundamental doctrines Of the Gospel"
The alumni OF Auburn Seminary and OF Hamilton
College. who are delegates to the General Assem-
bly,. instead OF having banquet. held a picnic In
the chapel OF the Minnewawa Inn last evening.
and. Instead OF having ham sandwiches with their
accomplishments. their Princeton friends did.
they had s much to eat that one freezer of Ice
cream opened. The Committee OF Ar
engagements consisted Of DR.. George r. Cutting Of
Yonkers: William G. White. OF Youngstown Ohio
and Edwin II. jerks. OF San Francisco. Among
the speakers were Dr. Sheldon Jackson Of Alaska;
Or. Wallace Radcliffe. the Moderator; DR.. Pente-
cost and j. Willis Baer Many old friendships were
renewed and new ones formed.
The Central New-York men think that they can
give points to their New-Jersey brethren on the
question OF Assembly banquets An elaborate pro-
gramme had been prepared for the celebration to-
day This 10 the quarter millennal anniversary Of