New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-21
M'GIFFERT MAKES REPLY.
ANSWER TO GENERAL AssEMBLYs AT
TACK on HIS BOOK.
REFUSES IN COURTEOUS LETTER TO
WITHDRAW FROM THE MINIsTRY OF
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.


IDY TELEGRAPH TO THt TkbiNbl
Minneapolis MINI, May MA hush Of expectancy
fell over the Assembly tins morning when the Rev.
DR. Wallace Radcliffe. the chairman Of the Com
mittee on Bills and Ovcrtures. 10 read his FIRST
report. Overture after overture was read by title
and referred 10 the proper committee. one con-
cerned the formation Of a new Presbytery. another
had 20 do with changes IN the printed minutes %
the Assembly. but finally those which interested
the entire Assembly and the Church throughout the
land were reached.
These related 20 the election OF brigham II. Rob-
erts to n seat In Congress Prcsbytery after Pres
bytery had appealed to the Supreme Court OF the
Church for n decisive word from that judlcatory
The wording OF tho overtures was not given. and
the papers were returned to the committee for fur
Their consideration and recommendation. but the
end was not yet. Nine overtures contained the
word "McGlffert." and these also returned to
the committee for further consideration. Then
change was made Paper 49," said the chair
man, rs a letter from Professor McGinert, and
suggest that II be read"
Shall I read to- said the stated clerk If you
please" replied DR.. Radcliffe.
Tho letter was brief and courteous. In word
II was this: we brethren. | misunder-
stood. but ] cannot accept the counsel OF the AS
sembly to withdraw from the ministry OF the Pres
byterian Church. in whose welfare l deeply
concerned"
The effect OF the letter electrical. From all
parts Of the house hearty applause. "a though
the commissioners felt that this incident was closed
but It is not closed for the letter with the over
lures is still in the hands Of the committee OF
which DR.. Radcliffe Is chairman. and another
port will be received within a few days
IN DOUBT AS TO FUTURE COURSE
In the mean time expectation Is rife and the
commissioners wondering whether IT will be
possible. in view Of Or. McGnerts letter full
of Christian courtesy, to order trial for heresy.
The letter was as follows:
New-York. May 49, 1899
To the General Assembly OF the Presbyterian
Church u the United states Of America. in SEES
sion al Minneapolis. MINI.
Dear Brethren: At me meeting Of the General
Assembly held In May. 1895. the following action
tory of Christianity in the Apostolic Age Of which
] am the author, and was communicated TO me by
The General Assembly recognizes the zeal for
pure doctrine represented by the overture from the
Presbytery OF Pittsburg and is itself now, as al
ways. profoundly concerned for the maintenance OF
the faith II enjoins upon all its ministers special
things which the Church holds sacred, to dstin-
guish as clearly as possible from all forms OF er,
Interpreted In the standards OF our Church; and In
particular constantly TO endeavor whether IN
word, to present the positive truth so distinctly
and so attractvely that men shall understand II
and be drawn toward II; and that especially the
Scriptures. which are the Word OF God, may be
everywhere received and believed as the only In
fallibe rule OF faith and practice.
THE Assembly indeed desires the fullest ana
erent Christian Students Into the FOUNDATIONS Of
the Christian faith. But # depreca ties everything
which, whether in its substance or In the form or
It's expression. needlessly dlsturbs the faith OF
"The General Assembly deplores the renewal Of
controversy occasIoned by the publication OF tnis
book at time when our recent divisions were
spread belief that the 1tterances of DR.: McGInert
are inconsistent with the teachings OF Scrlptu ns
BY Evangelical christendom And the Assembly
stamps with It's emphatic disapprovsi an u'' en-
Presbytery OF Pittsburg not in accord with the
standards OF our Church , ., eli
It's forces the cooperation OF all Its memoers
spirit Of and Mutual neHse ses and
waste Of energy to ts great pressing ana
ness less than In devotion to the ooasonsbIe
SelS Or Get forth in his book and II ne cannot
form his views to the STANDARDS on 99uIttnria =
then peaceably to withdraw from the presbyterian
ministry"
DISCUSSES ASSEMBLIES VIEWS.
wa,,ire at this time all questions OF constitu-
tional right and order have thought 1t proper 70
look upon this action in the light OF friendiy au
vice from Christian brethren, in which Hght III,
deed. It would seem that 1t must have peeh iooAeo
upon by those who Joined In It.
Regarded thus the action evidently requires nc
response from me. nor did the Assembly intimate
IN anv vav that the response was either expected
or desired But Il is my wish to be governed
entirely by the spirit Of Christian courtesy; ana
therefore, take this opportunity OF lndoi
/ hrethren TO gather in the first Generai Asseipi
,nca the action was taken. what have felt my
duty to be in view Of the fraternal couhsei oie'e'
The action OF the Assembly as well as the over
ture from the Presbytery of Pittsburg. upon wnicI
that action was based make II evident tnat Han,
Of nv positions together with the spirit and pui
nose Of my book whole have oeeh serious serious
msapprehended such msapprehen1ssono rapdet
regret and | wish here emphatcally 70 repuuia.
ne false constructions that have been placed upoi
my book in many quarters 30 iaI s as ny 90
are concerned they have been ana re,na p sS
believe. in accord with the faith OF the fresoiy
ternian Church and Of Evangelicai Chrlstenuol II
all vital and essential matters anu 'i,e rgbt /,
not feel that 1t Is my duty or even my fs .n m
Justice TO myself and to my brethren. ana 20 IN
Church Of our Divine Lord ana from The min
istrv Of the Presbyterian Church. In taking th
position to which I constrained by a profou,n'
sratefnliv the spirit of Christian kindness which
animated those who joined IN the sc1m 4 o th
trsth aad the Concern welfare Of tn
Church which prompted their action: l desire !,
say. also that yield to no one IN my fere Of th
Praying for the blessing Of God upon the Churcl
Within which was born and bred. and whose In
terests I have most deeply o ar hear' am
spectfu'iy ana ir"'e' A. {. MGIFFERT.
The Board OF Ministerial Relief occupied tn
! morning hours Of the Assembly and In the AFTER
/ noon the commissioners were the guests OF IN
! Presbyterians OF st. Paul. who took them In spe
cia cars across the river. and then, IN Carriages
B to MacAster College and to Lake Como. IN IN
! evening the Rev. d. f. Finks gave an ILLUSTRATED
Z lecture on home missions and the different com
mittees held special meetings to consider the va
rious subjects assigned TO theH
PORT WARDEN MARCH HONORED
REPUBLICANS OF THE WITH ASSEMBLY DIS