The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-05-26
SCENES OF TURMOIL At
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY
McGiffert HereSy Case Turns the Religious Con-
ventiOn Into Fierce TumuItuOuS Body.
Bitter Personalities Induged In-"SneakS" Terms Used
Matter Goes to New York PreSbytery.

clearness at the end of the discussion, is
as follows:
I'VE recommend that the whole mat
/ ter of the teachings of the book of the
/ Rev. A. c. McGiffert, DID,, entitled, "A
History of Christianity In the Apostolic
! Age" be referred to the presbytery of
New York, to which belongs the pri-
mary constitutional responsibility of
such disposition as, in its judgment the
peace OF the churches and the purity
of the doctrine may require
The minority of eight set against the
report of the majority of twelve, the
following:
Report of the Minority.
'The general assembly, while deplor-
| ing the controversy occasioned by Dr.
McGifferts writings, hereby direct the
presbytery of New York, of which he
is a member, to appoint a committee to
confer with him; and if it should ap-
pear to the preSbytery that Dr. Nc
Glfert fails to modify his views so as
to conform them TO the standards of
the churches, the presbytery is directed
TO use every means to induce DR.. Nc
Glffert TO withdraw peaceably from the
; Presbyterian ministry. But if he should
refuse to do SO, then the presbytery is
directed, as the last resort, TO proceed
with the case in accordance with the
provisions Of the constitution of the
churches. And in all these proceedings
the presbytery is to maintain the spirit
of Christian kindness and love, as well
as fidelity to the truth"
DR.. Radcliffe threw back his shoul-
ders, adjusted his glasses, and, with his
well known vigor, began the discussion
for the majority.
Have patiencer' wait a little
while!" Avoid troubler' Give DR.. Nc
( GlHert an opportunity to depart in
peace, are phrases that were charac-
teristic of the whole thirty minutes
speech.
Give this case to the presbytery to
decide said Dr. Radcliff, put the re-
sponsibility where it belongs: surely
they will attend to it. Let the presby-
terry of New York attend to its own
business in its own way. Do not order.
them TO do so. and make threats
against AIcGiffert.'
Scenes of Tumult.
Dr. Benjamin Lewis Hobson replied
TO Dr. Radcliff with a speech which was
magnificent effort from an argumen-
ta1iVe point of view, but vastly inferior
10 DR.. Radcliff's in effect and eIoquence.
In any event, he said, if DR.. McGiffert
refuses to modify his views or leave
the church, there must be a heresy
trial. 1t would be wiser plainly to say
TO DR.. McGiffert: You are a scholar.
all honor TO scholars, but the Presby
terrain church is no place for you Go
where you will be more at home" 1t
mad peen said that to adopt the minor
lty report would be to run a plowshare
through the New York presbyterv. If
such is the case. and DR.. McGiffert is
stubborn, he said, it is only question
of time when that plowshare will have
to do its work
The leaders having spoken, five min
utes each was given to a host of eager
takers.
Dr. w. H. McKibbfn of Cincinnati
first got the floor. IF there is no
justification for a judicial process,
when in Gods name will there be a
Justification" he shouted.
Like a prophet of old. with beetling
brow and hoary hair and beard, DR.
Dunlop Moore of the Presbvtery of
Pittsburg. lifted up the voice of con-
servatism.
4 have read this book he said. at
is bad; there are worse, for some books
deny the authenticity of every one of
the gospels. DR.. McGiffert questions
only sixteen out of twenty-seven The
book" and the old man shook with
feeling, lis an abomination before God.
Some one has spoken of the Kind tone
of DR.. McGifert. 1t gives me no en-
couragement- If I had DR.. McGiffert
here I would knock that nonsense out
of his head" The last sentiment was
literally applauded.
Be patient, brothers; wait yet a
little while,' pleaded Drs. Hughes and
Gibbons of Philadelphia, speaking for
the majority report.
Harsh Words Used.
"Skulkers and towards to the rear"
shouted Elder Alexander Dixon of
Scranton Pa. "Then close up. Was
there ever more beautifully worded
letter than that of this theologian
which says, after all 4 do as I please
and you can do the other thing" The
galleries and the assembly roared with
laughter
The Rev. F. w. Hinitt of Iowa Pres
bytery, said: This is the most inter
estinS scene in all the United States
today. The eyes of all orthodox Chris
tians are on US. If there is any back
bone OF orthodoxy in the country we
must look for it in the PRESBYTERIAN
straight up and down evangelical Chris
tians'
Elder D. W. Glass of Baltimore and
Rev. J. J. Gilchrist of Las Vegas. n.
NJ, spoke for the minority report.
Then upon the platform came DR.. ].
3. Alcott Shaw of New York, di-
rector of Union seminary Intense
SAASA4Nt AN4AVHCt- III NiAcll NtGB SOHDTOllS
voice for which he is famous, the elo-
quent minister spoke:
Il disapprove of Mr. McGiffert's S
book he said slowly and impressively,
there are many things and some good
things in it. / have no sympathy or
patience with it,
Preachers Grow Fierce.
"Then why" broke in DR.. McKibben,
fiercely then why as a director of
Union seminary do you keep DR.. Nc
Ciffert there?'
DR. McKibben's eyes flashed, and his
voice was a roar.
Wait for an explanation, it will
come in time. Have patience" re-
piled DR.. Shaw with the greatest
calmness.
Vote for this majority report. be-
cause, first. you can trust the church;
second, because you can trust Dr. Nc
Giffert Only a short time before COM
ing to this convention l had a talk
with DR.. McGiffert, in which 1 asked
if he believed in the diety of Christ
Yes, was mis- reply. Do you believe
in immaculate conception I 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 disapprovai of
what appeared to be an apology for
DR.. McGiffert.
Il mean simply this continued DR. |