The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-26

more beautifully worded letter than
that of this theologian, which says, after
all: I do as 1 please, and you can do
the other thing -
The galleries and the assembly roar
ed with laughter.
Rev F. w Hinitt of the Iowa pres
bytery said: This is the most interest
ing scene in all the United States today.
The eyes of all orthodox Christians are
upon US. If there is any backbone of
orthodoxy in the country we must look
for it in the Presbyterian church. Let
us show that we are straight up and
down evangelical Christians"
Elder D; W Glass of Baltimore and
Rev. G.. Gilchrist of Las Vegas, N. M,
spoke for the minority report
Then upon the platform came DR.. ].
B. Alcom Shaw of New York, a director
followed. In that deep, sonorous voice
for which he is famous the eloquent
minister spoke:
"I disapproved of DR.. McGifert's
| book he said slowly and impressively.
There are many bad things and some
good things in it. [ have no sympa-
thy or patience with it,
Then why broke in DR.. McKibben,
fiercely, then why, as a director of
Union seminary, do you keep DR.. Nc
Giffert there?'
DR.. McKibben's eyes flashed and his
voice was roar.
wait for an explanation. 1t will
come in time. Have patience" replied
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
coming to this convention I had a talk
with DR.. 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" ask
ed him next, and he answered Yes
For the next minute DIR. Shaw tried in
vain to make himself heard. From all
sides were shouts of disapproval of
what appeared to be apology for DR..
McGiffert.
Il mean simply this continued Dr.
Shaw when the tumult had ceased
that DR.. McGiffert was honest in his
letter. He will walk out of the church
He will say, I will have no stain on my
conscience of another heresy trial.
Thirdly, L want to say that you can
trust the presbytery of New York.
Leave US free and we will take our
stand for the right
Then Elder James Yereance, of New
York Presbytery, sprang a sensation
of the first order Pale with indignation
he declared that Dr. Shaw had broken
a solemn agreement of the New York
Presbytery that none of them should
speak or try to influence the vote on the
question before the house.
Mr.. Moderator, Mr. Moderator"
called DR.. Shaw, who was thoroughly
aroused, L wish to say that there was
no such agreement 1t was simply I'M
derstood that we should not speak as
representing the Presbytery. L spoke
only for myself
Il am glad to hear that explanation"
said Mr.. Yereance, but there was a
trace of irony in his tone. Immediately
after he struck DR.. Shaw another blow.
''Only a twelve month ago." he declared
with great intensity, t'Dr. Shaw told me
in a conversation that he had read DR..
McGifferts book and saw nothing in it
to disapprove.'
ST recall no such statement what
ever" passionately exclaimed DR.. Shaw.
n
enough, came from all parts of the
house. Lets have no personalities,
said the acting moderator. I'm all manli-
ness to God and man, DR.. McGiffert
should retire." said Mr.. Yereance in
conclusion.
DR.. John w. Dinsmore, of San Jose,
Cal, spoke briefly for the majority re-
port. When he was through the house
clamored frantically for the question.
For fully five minutes there were
mingled shouts of question" vote"
and shouts for DR.. D. w. f. Birch, of
New York Presbytery, who was beg
ging the moderator to let him speak.
At last the house voted to hear DR..
Radcliffe close the debate for the ma
jority. DR.. Hobson, generously explain
ing that it was his right, and in his turn
DIR. Radcliffe gave DIR. Birch a couple
of minutes. He explained his position
which was that since he was to be one
of DIR. McGiffert's judges he would
speak on neither side. He indicated
DR.. Shaw by stating that there has
Deen no agreement ABOUT speaking, ne,
DR.. Birch, simply giving counsel to that
effect. Dr. Radcliffe hastily summed
up. Again the house clamored for the
question and someone demanded the
roll call but emphatic mo- vote dis
posed of that motion.
DR.. Radcliffe moved the majority re-
port.
DR.. McKibben moved to substitute the
report of the minority. A parliamentary
tangIe followed with a half dozen speak
ers and numerous motions. But a mo-
ton to lay DR.. McKibben's substitute
on the table prevailed.
Then came the vote on the majority
resolution. The ayes have it, said
DR.. Graham.