The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-28
PRESBYTERIAN ALLIANCE.
DKLHGA TIES FROM Ire PARTS OF
THE World ~ IITENDIyCK

DKLHGA TIES FROM ILE PARTS OF
TINE WORLD ~ ATTENDANCE.
Pref. Dewitt of PRINCETON tt3n. ,s The Tx
ponsuts Of the Higher Cribo-m ut the
Bible, and DIR. Lang, Of the Established
Church Of Scotland, Defends Them.
WASHINGTON. Sept 27-About 100 delegates
- the seventh General Council Of the Pan
Presbyterian Alliance we're present this
morning when the sessions opened at
the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.
They came from all parts OF the world. whsrs-
ever Prssbyterianism has penetrated aud
gained toothold-from Europe. Asia Africa
and Australia. The majority OF the dele
gates from abroad. who were easily dis
tinguished BY their dress appeared to be
OF scotch ancestry. and the scotch burr was
plainly in evidence during ths proceedinGs In
addition to the distinguished clergymen.a num-
Der OF laymsn. prom nent in business and pol
itics. were In attendance. Among the most
noticeable Of the latter we're Secretary Wilson,
former Secretary John W Foster the Hon.
James A. Beaver. formerly Governor Of Penn
sylvania. and Col. John J. McCook Of New
York
At the religious exercises. which consumed
the morning session. the Rev. DR.. John Dewitt.
professor Of AGO esiastica history at Princeton
University. delivered the sermon. Some
comment had been heard previously
on tho probability Of general
discussion Of higher criticism VI tho Bible and
Its evil or good effects Being merely 4 CON
sultative body. and one without authority
To make pr enforce DEGREES. tho Council
could taks no action on thu sub
ject further than the adoption OF
resolutions. yet the iniuenCs 0f the
Council is such and its ramiicatiOn5 are
90 extensive that any discussion Of such
. measurs before this body will naturally
be felt all through tho Prsshyterian
world. \ differences ~ opinion among the
leaders developed to-day In the morning
DR. Dewitt attacked the exnonents Of the So
called higher criticism. and in the afternoon
the Rev. Dr. J. Marshall Lang. the Moderator
of the established Church of Scotland and the
President If the Council. indirectly de-
Tended them. Dr. Dewitt took his
theme. The attitude OF the Reiormst
churches toward the Holy Bible He took as
his text. | Peter - Being born again.
not Of corruutible 4ced. bnt u Moor
ruptible. bv the Word u God.
which iveth and ahldeth forever He
based his argument On william Chilling
wor'hs pronuncio that The Bible and tho
Bible alone IS the religion Ut Protsstsnts' He
said
And yet We must. I thnk. confess that
when naturaistic modes ot Thought are preva-
lent and honored anu influential. when second
causes 80 hold mems attention that the
hrsS cause ID easily removed FAR from
them on the field Of heir nOn tenn plation" there
In peculiar danger that VS.. especially. Of the
Reformed Church shall &c powerfully tempted
Co let the spirit II the time control or strongly
Influence us in our study Of the Bible,
until we look askance at or minimize the
miraculous IN its history and construs by the
1aWa of natural ayOIutiOn tnDRA ayaltS.
which, as narrated in Holy Scriptures. va
had before Interpreted "a Gods miraculous
and gracious Interruptions Of tho awful
tragedy OF a sinful and fallen race.
You will agree with me that this historical
attitude OF our churches toward tho Bible
Bible is ono that It is true that it is nspIritsd.
and chat it il sef-sytdencng Howsvsr we may
define them the Bi6lss unity truth. nspirSs.
given up BY US as Reformed churches without .9St
the Bible; for there would De no
meaning TO our acceptance OF the Bible i We did
We did not hold it,, an IN some sense. true.
We could not call it u revelation. II We
thorship and how could it obligs the people to.
receive IL as their supreme rule OF faith and
duty. u Z did not authenttcuts itself as the
At the afternoon session the details Of the
Of Council .ss and
Progress and Permanency n Christian
fly" DR.. Lang said that as there was
progress also. anu that the Church should
meot science on a broad ground Christianity
was not hostile to soience and had nothing to
fear from IL.
York Avenue Presbyterian Church. then
the delegates. which =, was rsesived
with liberal applause. He referred to
the fact that tho Meck!enburg resell
utions, this torerunner Of the Declaration OF In
IRIS ~ ta riu mr.
that tho only clergyman who signed the
Declaration Of Independence was Presby
terrain.
A resolution was offered providing that
telegram OF tratsrnal greeting should be sent
10 the Congregational Conferences now in
progress at Plymouth Temple, Boston. An
amendment was offered that tho telegram
should propose 70 the Conference that IL Ap-
point Delegates to q council for the consider
0tton Of plans for the religious untcaton OF
The amendme emit provoked a discussion which
migho have proved very Interesting had not
the presiding officer ended t by ruling
tho amendment ont OF order. The res
qiution was then adopted. Committees
on business and the adj ission OF new churches
10 the Alliance were announced and the coun-
oil adjourned until tomorrow morning
reception was tandered the deiegatsa and
the mem hers OF their families to- o iGht by Pres
tdent Mckinley The East room Of the Executive
PLANTS and cut flowers and the Marine Band
furnish music. This members OF tho Cahi-
net and thsir ladies'. prominsn officers of the
army and navy and offfcials OF other depart
nents and the resident Presbyterian clergy
wers invited to meet the guests Of the even
ting.
MRw raR rylurg EDR n r n NJ