Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-05-26

This is the most interesting scene in all
the United States to-day. The eyes of all
orthodox Christians are upon us. If there
is any backbone of orthodoxy in the coun-
try; We must look for 1t In the Pfespy-
terlan church. Let US show that We va are
straight up and down evangelical Chris
tians.'
Who has read Dr.. McGiffert.s book
Philadelphia. And the commissioners
looked at each other and repeated the
same question.
Elder D. w. Glass of Baltimore. and
Rev. Mr.. ]. J. Gichrist. of Las Vegas. N.
NJ. spoke for the minority report. Judge
Wilson. of Philadelphia, got in a word OF
Then upon the platform came DIR. j. Bal
com Shaw. of New York, q director of
Union seminary. Intense silence followed.
Tried to Act as Referee.
In that deep. sonorous voice for which
he is famous. the eloquent minister spoke
while his every word eagerly swallow
ed as Of supreme Significance.
L d1SjpprOVed of DR.. McGifertS 5 book,
he said slowly and impressively. There
are many bad things and some good things
in 1t. l have no sympathy or patience with
Then why" broke in Dr. Mcktbben.
| fercely. then why, as a director of Union
seminary, do you keep DR.. McGiffert
| there?"
DR.. McKibben's eyes flashed and his
voice was a roar
Wait for an explanation. 1t will como
in time. Have patience replied DR.: Shaw
| with the greatest calmness. Vote Tor this
| majority report. because, first. you can
| trust the church: second, because you can
| trust DR.. McGiffert Only a short time be
| fore coming to this convention, l had
| talk with DIR. McGiffert in which l asked
| him If he believed in the Deity of Christ
Yes was his reply. DO you believe in the
| miraculous conception? ] asked MN next,
| and he answered, Yes.
| For the next minute DR.. Shaw tried in
| vain to make himself heard. From all
sides were shouts of disapproval of what
appeared to be an apology for Dr. McGif-
| fert.
Il mean simply this continued DR.:
| Shaw when the turmoil had ceased, that
| DR.. McGiffert was honest in his letter. lie
will walk out of the church. He VIII say.
| 1 will have no stain on my conscience OF
another heresy trial Thirdly. / want 70 70
say that you can trust the presbytery of
New York. For the first time in years we
| voted together when We voted for Dr sam
pie for moderator. There is a great re-
| action going On the glow of the new
spirituality We will do our duty. Leave
| us free and will take our stand Tor
the right The applause which greeted
| nothing compared with that mighty rattle
of handcapping that saluted his departure.
Is Charged with Favoritism.
Then Elder James Yereance. of New
York presbytery, sprang sensation of the
first order. Pale with indignation. he de-
| clared that Dr. Shaw had broken a sol
| emn agreement of New York prespyter!
that none of them should speak or try 10
influence the vote on the question before
.Mr. Moderator, Mr.. Moderator" called
DR.. shaw, who was now ,tre tnoroaghS 1,,',e NY
such agreement; it was simply understood
that we should not speak as representing
the presbytery. l spoke only for my
II am glad to hear that explanation
said MIR. Yereance, but there was trace
" Immcdiately after he struck DIR. Shaw
another blow. only a twelvemonth ago,
he declared, with great intensity. DR.
had read DR.. McGifert's book and saw
nothing in it to disapprove.
II recall no such statement whatever,
passionately exclaimed DIR. Shaw.
stop it. gentlemen; stop it.: enough
enough, came from all parts of the house
Lets have no personalities, said th'
lin ali manliness to God and man. DR.
McGiffert should retire." said MIR. 1ere
ance in conclusion.
! spoke briefly for the majority report Whel
3 he was through, the house clamored fran
!, ticaIly for the question
/ gled shouts of question, vote, an'
t shouts for DR.. D. W +. Birch, Of Nev
York presbytery S Sim Wno sNssk waS oeSn Finalv IN
I developed that there were only eight min
utes left.
The understanding had been that Dr.
Radcliff was to have fifteen minutes Il
which to close the debate. but 1t was SuS
: eested that the remaining time be divide
, between two speakers from opposite sides.
Everybody shook Hands.
4 At last the house voted to hear DR.. Rad
D cliff, Dr. Hobson generously eXplainn
A that it was his right. and in his turn Dl
: Radcliff gave DR.. Birch couple of min
e utes He explained his position, whic
Il was that since he was to be one of Dl
Y McGifferts judges, he would speak on ne
e ther side. He vindicated DR.. Shaw b
e stating that there had been no agreemen
: about speaking, he CDR. Birch) had simpl
d given counsel to that effect, DR.. Radcli
5 hastily summed up.
2 Again the house clamored Tor the ques
Y ton and someone demanded the roll cal
but an emphatic mo- vote disposed of tina
motion.
+ | report of the minority.
A parliamentary tansle followed with
I | half dozen speakers and numerous motion:
t but a motion To lay DR.. Mckibben 5 subSt
Q tute on the table prevailed.
: Then came the vote on the majority rest
G luton. THE ayes have it, said DR.. Gra
@ | ham.
t Somebody called for a division. for tn
Y negative vote seemed to have large volume
: But when it came to standing up til
II | negative vite which had given promis
: of being almost equal to the afiirmativ
@ dwmdled so sadly that the few Standel
@ | were laughed at The majority Shoute
y for joy. Next, the vote was made unaI
I mou..
Q The 1l1th annual assembly of the Presb!
t terrain church had dealt with the harde:
: problem that confronted II.
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