The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-26

them. they receiving and resting upon Him
end His righteousness by faith, which faith
they have not Ia themselves; IL is the gift
of God. Faith. thus receiving and resting In
Christ and His righteousness. is alone the
instrument OF justification. Any teaching
which in any way modifes or beiittles the
essential act and exclusive necessity % faith
in human salvation Is mischievous. dishon-
oring to the word and sacrifice of Jesus
This assembly enjoins upon all sessions
and presbyteries loyalty to defend and pro-
tect tEese fundamental doctrines of this
colfe5sIonal church"
The report was signed by Wallace Rad
cliffe. Benjamin Lewis Hobson, Samuel w.
Miller. william p. Merrill. Joseph D. Bur-
rell, William r. Brown, f. w. Hnitt. Dun
lop Moore. Ford C. Ottman, Alexander NJ.
Reid, Joseph ]. Gilchrist William II. Scott,
Silas b. Brownell, Wallace Miller. James A.
Loves. A. NJ. Donaldson, Robert McKinnell.
John Gilchrist, George I. Coxhead and +.
X. Butler.
The majority report. with the slight YER
bal changes made for sake of clearness at
the end Of the discussion. follows: I'VE
recommend that the whole matter OF the
teachings of the book of Rev. A. c. Nc
Giffert. ID. d. entitled, a History of Chris
tanity in the Apostolic Age be referred to
the Presbytery of New York, to which be-
longs the primary constitutional responsible
ity. for such disposition as in its Judgment
the peace of the churches and the purity of
doctrine may require"
THE MINORITY REPORT.
The minority OF eight set against the re-
port Of the majority Of twelve the follow
ing:
I'VE recommend the adoption of the fol-
lowing: The General Assembly, while de-
ploring the controversy occasioned by DIR.
McGinerts writings, hereby direct the Pres
bytery of New York, of which he is men,
him. and IL IL should appear to the pres
bytery that DIR. McGiffert fails 10 modify
his views so as 10 conform them to the
standards of the churches the presbytery is
directed to use every means to induce DR..
McGinert to withdraw peaceably from the
Presbyterian ministry. BCt If he should re-
fuse TO do go 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 main-
love as well as fidelity to the truth
This was signed by Benjamin Lewis Hob
son, William X. Brown, +. w. Hinitt, Dun
lop Moore. Joseph J. Gilchrist, William II.
Scott. James A. Loves and George T. Cox
head.
DR.. Radcliffe threw back his shoulders, ad-
justed his glasses and with his well-known
vigor, coupled with the keenest perception
and close e-jointed logic. began the discussion.
Have patience" wait a little while
Avoid trouble" Give DR.. McGiffert an op-
portunity to depart in peace Take one
more step to prevent a heresy trial and it's
train Of dissensions," do not sacrifice the
harmony of the present." are phrases that
are characteristic Of the whole thirty-min-
ute speech. Give this case to the presby-
terry to decide" said DR.. Radcliffe, put the
responsibility where it belongs. surely they
will attend to 1T. Let the Presbytery of
New York attend to its own business in its
own way. Do not order them to do so and
SO and make threats against Mciiffert"
Continuing eloquently in this strain, DR..
Radcliffe concluded with these Words THE
time has not yet come when the whole au-
thority of the churches should be exercised.
When the committee of New York Presby-
terry has acted and the presbytery too, then
there will be ample time for the assembly
to review the case 1 am rat-a moderate
conservative, 1 am no middle-of-the-road
conservatives am a Presbyterian. Being
relieved from all differences and from all
antagonisms we are all becoming Presby-
terians 1 ask you in the interests of the
mony, for the sake of the great and
glorious peace Of the churches, for the sake
of magnificent opportunities that lie before
US. strong ard united, in the near future,
to leave this case simply where it belongs,
permitting in the fear of God the Presby-
terry Of New York to attend to its own busi-
ness
REPLY TO RADCLIFFE.
DR.. Hobson replied to DIR. Radcliffe with
a speech which was magnificent from an
argumentatve point of view, but vastly In.
ferior to DIR. Radcliffe's in effect and elo-
quence. He called attention to the fact that
DR.. Radcliffe has said that DR.. McGiffert
was Of seminary which the church die
not support and was not an active pastor
If that argument had any weight, why send
the case down to the presbytery at all? The
plain fact was that DR.. McGiffert was a
member Of the church and an ordained min.
ister, who was under obligation not tc
preach or teach against the doctrinal stand
ards OF the church. Where was the threa,
in the course approved by the minority? In
any event, If DR.. McGiffert refused to modify
his views or leave the church, there must
be 4 heresy trial. 1t would be wiser plainly
TO say to DR.. McGiffert: "You are scholar
all honor to scholars, but the Presbyterian
Church Is no place for you. Go where yor
will be more at home" 1t has been sait
that to adopt the minority report would bt
to run plow-share through the New Yorl
Presbytery. If such is the case and DIR. Nc.
Gsffert is stubborn. 1t is only a question OF
time when that plow-share will have to dc
its work. 1t is said that DR.. McGiffert will
he II
Ii into his head TO do So" but in the mean
time here was the spectacle of the grea
Presbyterian Church sitting at the feet o.
an individual and begging him to go anl
leave 1t in peace. DR.. Hobson got alons
easily until he undertook TO discuss Dr. Nc
Giffert's theology, when he was sharply re
minded by DR.. Radcliffe that the assembl,
had already condemned DR.. McGlfert's the
ology and was not conducting a heresy trial
Il yield that point" gracefully said IN,
speaker, but moment later his time ex
pired.
The leaders having spoken, five minute:
each was given TO a host of eager takers
Out OF a wrangle as TO whether a majorit,
or minority man should follow Dr. Hobson
DR.. w. II. Mckibben, Of Cincinnati got the
floor. 1T has been said that there is nc
unrest in the church." he cried in a thun.
derous voice. but before he got farther DIR
Radcliffe sang out that he had simpl,
said that there was mo such serious un.
rest as had been believed"
Taken back for a second Dr. McKibber
continued: well, / say there is unrest IN
the church. when in Cincinnati We have
to issue a declaration OF belief in the deit,
of the Son of God II fhere is M {nSt;so.