The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-05-26

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ton to the fact that DR., Radcliffe had
said that DR.. AIcGiffert was Of SEM
mary which did support. and was not
an active pastor. If that argument
mad any weight why send the case
down to the prcsbytery at all? The
plain fact was that Dr.. McGifrert was
member of the church and an or
dained minister, who was under obliga-
tions not to preach or teach against
the doctrlnal standards Of the church.
Where was the threat in the course
approved by the minority? In any
event, II Dr.. McGifrert refused to modI-
fy his views or leave the church there
must be heresy trial. 1t would be
wiser plainly to say to DR.. McGiffert:
you are n scholar; all honor to schol-
nrs, but the Presbyterian church is no
place for you. Go where you will be
more at home" 1t had been said that
to adopt the minority report would be
to turn plowshare through the New
York presbytery. II such Is the case,
and DR.. McGiffert Is stubborn. 1t Is
only n question of time when that plow-
share will have to do It's work. ills
said that DIR. McGiffere will not fail
to withdraw. MAY the Lord put It
into his head to do so." but In the
meantime here was the spectacle of the
great Presbyterian church sitting at the
feet of un Individual. and begging him
to go. and leave 1t In pence.
DR.. Hobson got along easily until he
undertook to discuss DR.. McGiffert's
theology. when he was sharply remiNd-
ed by DR.. Radcliffe that the assembly
had already condemned DR.. McGlffert's
theology. and was not conducting q
heresy trinl. 's
II yield that point" gracefully said
the speaker, but moment later his
time expired.
Host of Eager Takers.
The leaders having spoken. five min
utes each was given to host Of eager
takers. Out Of n wrangle as to
whether n majority or minority man
should follow DR.. Hobson, Rev. II. w.
McKlbbin, of Cincinnati got the floor.
ut has been said that there Is no
unrest in the church." he cried, in a
thunderous voice. but before he got fur
thcr DR.. Radcliffe sang out that he had
simply said that there was no "such
serious unrest ms had been believed"
Taken back for second, DR.. McKlb-
ben continued: well. l say there is
unrest In the church, when in Cincinnati
We have to issue n declaration of belief
In the Deity of God. II there Is no
Justification for n judicial process, when
In Gods name vii! there be Justilica.
tion?"
1T Is time to close up the ranks and
for prcsb yterians to march shoulder to
shoulder" said DR.. w. p. Merrill, a
member of the committee. 'The major
ity repor: means harmony and union"
Like prophet of old. with beetllng
brow and hoary hair and beard. DR..
Dunlop Moore, of the Presbytery Of
Pittsburgh. lifted DIP the voice of con-
Servlt!sm.
81 have read this book" he said. TT
is bad: there are worse. for some books
deny tho authenticity OF every one of
the Gospels. Dr. McGiffcrt questions
only sixteen out of twenty-sevcn. The
book"-ard the old man shook with
fccllng-"is m nbominatlon before God
Some one has spoken Of the kind tone
of DR.. McGiffert'S letter: II gives me
no encouragement. If l had DR.. Nc
Gifrcr, hero l would knock that nom
sense out of his head" This last senti-
ment was lIberally applauded.
BE patient. brothers: wait yet n lit
tie while" pleaded Drs. Hughes and
Gibson. of Phipde!phis.. speaking for
the majority report.
"Slsulkers and towards to the rear"
shouted Elder Alex. Dixon, of Scran-
ton, Pa.
Roarcd With Laughter.
Then close up Was there ever q more
beautifully worded letter than that of
this thco!ogian, which says, after ALL
I do as please, and YOU can do the
other thing" And the galleries and
the assembly roarcd with laughter.
"Who has read DIR. McGiffert's book,
anyway" asked Elder Samuel G. Scott
of Philadelphia. And the commissioners
looked ut each other and repeated the
same question. Then, upon tho plat
form came DR.. ]. b. Alcom Shaw, Of
New York. director of Union semin-
ary. Intense silence followed. In that
deep. sonorous voice for which he is
famous, the eloquent minister spoke,
while his every word was eagerly swal-
lowed as Of supreme Significance
II disapprovc OF DR.. McG!fert's book"
he said. slowly and impresslvcly. There
are many bad things and some good
things in 1t. I have no sympathy or
patience with It.
Then, why broke In DIR. McKibben.
fiercely. then why, as n director OF
Union StIuiIluI9 uU yOu hCtp III. MIC
Glffert thcre?"
DR.. Mckibbcn's eyes flashed fire, and
his voice was roar.
wait for nn explanation. 1t will
come in time Have patience" replied
DR.. Shaw. with great calmness. Vote
for this majority report. because. first,
you can trust the church; second be-
cause you can trust Dr. McGlffcrt. Only
q short time before coming to this con-
vention | had n talk with DR.. McGlffert,
In which ] asked him II he believed In
the Deity OF Christ. Yes was his an-
swer, DO you believe In the miracu-
Ious conception asked him next, and
he answered Yes
For the next minute DR.. Shaw tried
In vain to make himself heard From
all sides were shouts Of disupproval of
what appeared 10 be an apology for DR..
McGiNert.
"I mean simply this" continued DR..
Shaw, when the turmoil had ceased.
that DR.. McGifrcrt was honest In his
letter Hc will walk out OF the church.
He will say. T will have no stain on
my conscience Of another hcrosy trial."
Thirdly. want to say that you can
trust the Prcsbytery of New York. For
the first time In years we voted together
when we voted for DIR. Sample for mod
orator There ls n great reaction going
on. on the glow OF the new spirituality
we Will do our duty. Leave us free. and
We viii take our stand for the right"
The applause which greeted DR.. Shnw
when he took the tribune was nothing
compared with that mighty rattle OF
hnnicfappinG that saiuted hts dcpnr-
turc.
Sprung n Sensations.
Then Elder James YcaTcancc. Of
New York Presbytcry sprung n sensn-
ton. Pale with indignation. he de-
clarcd that Or. Shaw had broken SOL
e,nn agreement OF the New York Pres.
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