The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-05-26
Di the Presbyterian Church in
Regard to Charges Against
Rcy, DR.. McGifrcrt.
THE WHOLE MATTER REFERRED
To the New York Prcsbytcry to
Deal With it as it
Deems Best
AFTER TyMUL7UOUS DEBATE,
Which Sometimes Partook OF
Pcrsonnlitics...Considerablc
Feeling Displayed.

MINNEAPOLIS, Mlnn.. May 25.-1n
the hands of the presbytery OF New
York sthc fate OF Rev. DIR. Arthur C.
McGlitert. professor of church history
In Union Theological seminary, New
York, The general assembly OF the
Presbyterian church steered clear, as
It hopes OF the rocks of another heresy
trial when II voted this afternoon, after
4 tumultuous and sometimes personal
debate. to refer the whole matter to
the presbytcry Of New York "for such
disposition as in Its judgment the peace
Ct the church and the purity OF doctrine
may require"
When the bills and overtures COM
nl,tee report was announced this aft
ernoon by Vice Moderator DR.. L. Y.
Graham, n profound silence held over
the assembly and the packed galleries.
Dr.. Wallace Radcliffe. of Washing
ton chairman Of the committee. took
the speakers platform and read lirst
that part OF the report on which all
members of the committee agreed. It
was review of the case and the state
ment Of four fundamental doctrines of
tbs churches which DIR. McGiffert's
History OF Christianity In the Apostol.
c Age is held to deny. Next DR.. Rad
ciifle read the majority report. and then
it was known at last that there were
10 be two reports. This report, which
was ultimately adopted. left the mat
Ter 10 the discretion of the New York
pgesbytcry. The minority report read
BY DR.. Benjamin Lewis Hobson. of Chi
Caso. made 1t mandatory upon the
New York presbytery to appoint conl-
mite to confer with DR.. McGiffert, and
II he would neither modify his views
hot peacefully withdraw from the
church, proceed against him in accord
aHce with the provisions of the consti-
tuition OF the church. That would have
meant scresy trial. Before taking up
the debate the whole assembly voted for
the preamble on which all agreed. From
this Scene OF unanlmity the aspect was
soon changed to one of tumut.
The majority report with the slight
verbal changes made for the sake of
c'earncss at the end of the discussion,
is as follows:
We recommend that the whole mat
Ter OF The teachings Of the book OF Rev.
y. McGiffert, D. D., entitled "a His
'oFy Of Christianity in the Apostolic
Ages" be referred 70 the presbytery of
New York. TO which belongs the prl-
mary constitutional responsibility for
such disposition as in Its judgment the
peace OF the church and the purity OF
doctrine may require"
The minority OF eight set against the
report Of the majority of twelve the fol-
lowing:
We recommend the adoption of the
following:
The general assembly. while deplor-
Hos the controversy occa5loned by DR..
AeGtifert's writings, hereby direct the
Mesoytery of New. York, of which he
member, TO appoint 4 committee
10 confer with him, and II It should APP
pear to the presbytery that DR.. McGif-
ieFt fails to modify his views so as to
CONFORM them to the standards of tho
churches, the presbytery Is directed to
use every means TO induce DR.. McGlf-
'eft to Withdraw peacenbly from the
ffeSbyier!an ministry. But II he should
's'Use 10 do so then the presbytcry Is
directed, as the last resort, to proceed
WIN the case In accordance with the
Provisions OF the constitutions OF the
'"NFcEcs. And In all thesc proceedings
Tue If9Sbytcry Is to maintain the spirit
w christian kindness and love. as well
is iI1clity to the truth"
Tive the case to the presbytcry to
UeC'Ne.' said DR.. Radcliffe, put the re-
Spons.blIlty where It belongs; surely
hey Will attend to 1t. Let the presby-
'eFy Of New York attend to its own bus
mess In Its own way Do not order them
70 10 30 and so and make threats
against DR.. McGifcrt."
DIR. RuScliT's Plea.
continuing. eloqucntly. in this strain.
VI i'adcllffe concluded with these