New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-15

MESI WI Ms FIX tNIN>D l
the ecclesiastical fires that were kirHled a year
,co and banked al Winona after burning for
fe,r roonths have been uncovered recently. and are
exn.cted IN blaze with renewed vigor whom the
General Assembly convenes In tho Westminster
Presbyterian Church next Thursday. While u IS
not fair 70 assume that the erring nrotner VIII
literally persh in the onhagration. II Is not too
much to predict that he will he somewhat roast
ed before the desired end IS reached.
Or McGlffert Is not rascble offender. as his
colleague in Union Seminary who Is now causing
sleepess nights IN Protestant Episcopal circles was
charged with being before his suspension from the
PRESBYTERIAN ministry He born IN Sauquot
y Y. in 1851 and graduated from Adelbert
College IN 1852. From this institution he received
the degree Of Doctor Of Divinity In 1892 The Uni
versity OF Marburg. Germany. gave him the degree
OF Doctor OF Philosophy in lSS AFTER MS srauua-
ton from Union Seminary in 1855 he studied for
some time in Germany and In ~" was ordained by
tho Presbvterv OF Cleveland. Entering Lane Semi
nary that year as an instructor ~ Church history,
he was made q professor of the department IN lS9o
and retained that place. as fellow-laborer OF
Henry Preserved Smith. who was suspended from
the PRESBYTERIAN ministry for holding heretical
Views until 1893 when he succeeded Professor
schan in Union as an associate ~ Professor
Charles A. Briggs who was suspended that year
by the General Assembly meeting In Washington
Dr. McGfert hse published several volumes In
Guiding Dialogue Between a CHRISTIAN ana d
lew" translation sf Eusebus with Prolegomena
and Notes" primitive and Catholic Christianity
(his Union Seminary inaugural address,. and AT
utude Of Christianity In the Apostolic Age"
1RREvERENCE CHARGED.
II is this last-nnmed book which is deemed heret-
Ical by many Presbyterians. The Presbytery Of
Pittsburg sent memorial to the last Assembly In
reference to its teaching I'm the following strong
language:
In this volume the New Testament is very irrey,
erently handled; special supernatural guidance
IL ascribed its sacred writers, the genuineness
| Of more than one-half of the books composing II
is called IN question. discordant and mutually con-
| Trajectory tea chings declared TO be contained
and practice act is set aside Further. in said volume
great distinguishing principles OF the PresnyteTlan
| teachings OF said volume the Presbytery deems II
a duty 70 bear testimony, to disavow all completely
with them. and 10 condemn them as false and sub
vers!ve Of the Christian fam. The Presbytery
and affectonatey the people OF IT'S charge guard
against being led away by divers and strange doc,
| trnes. 10 stand fast In one spirit. with one mind
striving together for the faith Of the Gospel. and
70 comfort themselves in me trHstWorthy ana
! As the said volume by DR. McGidert is a fragrant
| tempt the obligations by which the author and all
| other Presbyterian ministers have bound them
selves; as is the most daring and thoroughgoing
| attack on the New Testament that has ever been
made by an accredited teacher of the Presbyterian
! Church in America; as IT has already attained sig
nal no;oriety throughout the entire nglish-speak-
ing world and II threatens the highest interests
OF the Church at large. the Presbyery Of Pittsburs
mindful that the Church OF the Living God Is the
the General Assembly Of this year TO take into
| solemn consideration the grave crisis which the
publication OF the said volume has created and, in
| Its wisdom. TO adopt such measures MS shall be
and TO the maintenance Of the authority Of the
words NJ God. which have been committed to the
| Church's trust.
After a long and animated discussion this actor
taken:
The General Assembly deplores the renewal o.
| controversy occasoned by the publication Of this
book at a time when our recent divisions are
| scarcely healed II sympathzes with the wide
spread belief that the ,utterances of Or. McGner
are Inconsistent with the teachings OF Scripture a.
Interpreted by the Presbyterian church and bS
evangelical Chrstendom And the Assembly stamps
With It's emphaic d.approya all nttg5anGes IN tn
Pittsburg not in accordance with the standards Of
But the Church needs peace. the union OF all itt
forces. the cooperation OF all It's members spir
may ADDRESS tse 81" with intense zeal and no vast
OF energy TO Its great pressing and practical worl
The Assembly, therefore in the spirit Of kindness
no less than in devotion to the truth. counsels DR.
forth in his book: and i he cannot conform hi
ably TO withdraw from the Presbyterian ministry
Considerable pressure has been brought to bea
upon Dr McGiffert to get him either to make
statement in reply to this action to Withdraw
from the Presbyterian Church. He has apparently
grasped neither horn OF the dilemma, but has KEEP
a dignihed silence 80 far as the official action fl
concerned. II is understood. however. that he ma
prepared a long answer which he will submit L
the Assembly justifying his views but not modify
ing them II this is done n Is probable that tn
subject will be referred 70 a judicial commission
which will ST. during the year and take up to-
matter thoroughly Should he decline 10 submit 81
answer there Is no doubt that the Assembly wou'
either order the New York Presbytery 10 place hin
on trial because OF his views or drop him from II
rolls for contempt 81 court.
THE STORY OF THE LITTLE JEW"
Next 10 the McGnert case. the topic OF mos
importance from a personal point OF view will h
the complaint OF Herman Warszswiak. the con
verted jew. whose troubles have been aired in m
courts OF the Church for several years. As ne ha
an able ecclesiastical lawyer II In probable that thl
case in some one OF It's many aspects may renal
in one or another court for years 10 Last yea
the Rev Dr. James O. Patterson. Warszawlak'
lawyer brought an appeal from the action OF IN
Presbytery Of New-York 10 the General Assembly
but after a full hearing before one Of the com
nittees II was dismissed without word OF argu
rnent In the Assembly. only 10 find its way bar
again At this time. both appeal and com
plant
The story Of this Little jew" as WarsEawia
has been termed in OF the religious meeting