The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-14
WILL NOT TAKE ACTION
NEW YORK PRESBYTERY DECLINES
TO TRY PROF. A. c. MGIFFERT.
1t Takes steps to Refer the Case of
the Alleged Hereto Back to the
General Assembly.

NEW YORK, Nov. 13.-The case of Prof
Arthur c. McGiffert, of Union Theological
Seminary, who is charged with holding
views that are at variance with the doc
trines of the Presbyterian Church, came be-
fore the presbytery today and action was
taken which will probably result in refer
ence TO the General Assembly. A committee
was appointed last June to confer with Prof.
McGiffert and prevail upon him TO Withdraw
from the church or at least modify his
views. Meetings have been held, which
Professor McGiffert attended but he stead
tasty refused to recede from the stand ne
had taken on certain church matters, say
ing he had been misunderstood The Gen
eral Assembly prepared expressly for Prof..
McGiffert's case an outline of the funda-
mental principles of the church. These were:
"First-That the statements of the Holy
Scriptures are absolutely truthful. !. e., free
from error when interpreted in their natural
and intended sense.
Secondhand in Jesus Christ there were
two whole. perfect and distinct natures me
Godhead and the manhood being inseparate-
ly Joined together in one person. without
conversion or confusion, so that He was in
no particular liable to error.
"Thiro-That the Lords supper was insti-
tuted by the direct and personal act OF
Jesus Christ, to be Observed in His church
unto the end of the world.
"Fourth-That God justified men by I'M
putting the obedience and satisfaction of the
Christ to them: they receiving and resting
uIon Him in all His Righteousness by faith.
which faith they receive as the gift OF God.
1t is only the last of these statements that
Professor McGiffert accepts as II stands.
The committee to which the matter was
referred was composed of Rev. DR.. Robert
F. Sample, chairman, Rev. DR.. John 3.
Shaw, Rev. Or. r. r. Booth and Rev DR..
| john c. Bliss and the following elders: Will
| liam Magic. Oscar E. Boyd and Titus b.
| Meigs Mr.. Boyd was the only one of the
| COMMITTEES absent at meeting held just
previous to the meeting of the pfesbytery.
| The report was voluminous. It's essence
| was that the case should be referred to the
| General Assembly, which meets in st. Louis
| next May The report ordered to be
printed for private distribution among the
| members or the presbytery and made the
| order of the day of the December meeting.
AT the conclusion of the reading of the
report Prof Francis Brown Rev. DR.. How
| ard Agnew Johnson and Rev. DR.. Henry
van Dyke read suggestions in which II was
| at,vlsed that the controversy over Professor
| McGiffert he dropped DR.. Johnson's paper
| was heard first, then Professor Browns
| and DR.. Van Dykes, and they were in sub
| stance alike DR.. Van Dyke said that while
| a majority did not agree with Professor Nc
| Ginert, the wisdom of heresy trial was
| douhtfu' and might result in harm to the
| presbyterian cause. In view of prepare tons
| for series of Presbyterian revivals in this
| city this fall and winter. the postponemen'
crence to the General Assembly is thought
l desirable.