New-York tribune., 1900-04-10

PROFESSOR A C ~GIFFERT D D.
was lost by vote OF 46 to so. at least twenty OF
those present declining to The original mo-
ton was also lest by a small majority, and then
this resolution was propounded and adopted by q
said by be So TO 81. and by others 20
be 56 TO 81:
Resolved That the request Of DE- MGGTt 9 e. ts be
papers be sent to the Assembly as part OF the
records Of this body.
second motion that DR.. McGirert's name be
dropped from the roll was adopted without opposi-
ton as a matter OF form
At the election of a Moderator for the ensuing
year Dr. David G. Wylie Of the Scotch church,
was nominated and elected by reclamation
DR.. McGIfert's letter of resignation follows:
To the Presbytery of New-York-
Dear Brethren: In view of the appeal TO tns cen
eral Assembly OF which i pr B5Tca gaTy have
decided to withdraw from the Presbyterian Church:
name aa9 from FegHef the 'Si ro of the Pres6yter
In making this request desire to say that 90
heresy preferred against ne well founded or
because recognize the justice OF me acSG Gu ',fI ti
believe as I believed when wrote 70 tne GIelea1I @
AsSem9y tb a55 the sP5a P5P6 Of the Church
and Of evangelical ChTistendom IN an an VIA ~ nv nv
dItv To 90 through the trial before the Genera
assembly which the appeal will doubtless precip-
AsseuIS nS am unwilling needlessly to prolong the
agitation that has been disraetng the Church n ana nd
r. true work of advancing the kingdom Of God
ABHoRs ECCLESIASTICAL STRIFE
Ecclesiastical strife is abhorrent 70 me Ian ana s
have interest and no raitn nm IN 1Tdaed be-
iiaTa that they work mischief whether they result
in eoafta aPy foT the principles them
are are rom rT1b Notwithstanding unsound. Only by pa
tent study and free discussion can the truth Oe
rectness or incorrectness Of historical conclusions
by their conformity or non-con1oTnnLtEE 20 a
and +0 promote Indifference 10 its claims re
teTring i ths beg TO assure the Presbytery
that il written with no thoushS OF coilsi Ms
the PRESBYTERIAN Church or any one besides my
5ouqbt Of provoking ecclesiastical strife but solely
with the purpose OF recounttng as accurately anu
as clearly as I could the history OF th% Apostotc
fafiibity for my conclusions-no scholar doeso6pt but
do claim that taey G9n o oe Carried on in the same
spirit loyal devotion to the truth IN whch IN SI
the question Of first importance touching the f re-
suits sb+Gysn nave reaGee srandSrs? but Are they
true? In trial for heresy the H9uiTy ] neysao1y ssfo
and the latter is too largely overlooked
STAND FOR RIGHTS OF SCHOLARSHIP
But in spite Of my convictions in this matter be
iievng as do that at my }y,fb Yle"S of are tS
Church I have felt it duty TO many OF my
| have profoundly at heart to maintain so far as
could the HISTORIC rtghts Of Christian an9
speech within our communion by refusing 20 Win
serblv For while it can matter little whether
the particular views hold are pronounced sound
or unsound by an ecclesiastical tribunal. II mat
ters much whether a great Christian communion
IKE nas- for staIwart inteactuaI Professionalism
shall commit itself rrevocabL5. 10 the unprotected
make it increasingly difficult If impossible for
thair part Of the one great work 70 which God
has called His people have therefore, renalne9
serious Misrepresentation, and have ever 3een
prepared IN sP ndf, 2f my trial n p5e Prsbyr #
called upon TO do so BnI yogr s-iUI J ~ actHT
WIICl, @ W S sb6,,,f b dD,iNreavrs rne from the
ard makes II possible for TO withdraw without
ysTtapa 70 the cause OF f-iitE and liberty Your
action is distinct assertion and the more distnc,
because YOU dissent from r-any % ny views that
questions of scholarship best be settled not
& by 1S PS Se-Sf CO.'S truth nor
Of Chrst's kingdom are subscribed when the church
turns it's active. practical. saving Christian
work TO the nroftless task of discovering and
conforming supposed deviations from the confes
sional standards That assertion 1 concur In
heartily. and I am unwilling that the clear issue
between the Presbytery and the prosecutor. which
has been raised by the appea OF the latter should
be obscured by further consideration OF the minor
question as 70 ny own souh1hess OF ui'soulu'esS
believe iT the Presbyterian Church With all nv
heart l believe in its past past and in its future and
too prevalent misunderstanding OF the spirit and
purpose Of the Christian scholars who are
advance of the kingdom of God shall everywhere
eVe @ w. M 70 70 Ia ny now % s cnrnnonIy
by the publication OF unfamiliar views shall dis
and q more widespread faith in the truth of God
and in the guiding influence Of His spirit Only
I a faith profound 10 cast out all fear give
the Church In this that spiritual enthusia
and power through which alone can take the
world for Christ
With PRAYER for Gods blessing upon the great
cause in which our hearts and lives are all en-
listed I yours in the honds of common faith
and hope. ARTHUR c. MGIFFERT.
The letter was laid before the PresSytery by the
| Moderator. the Rev. DR. Wyle and after IL had
been read motion TO refuse DR. McCiinert's
request made. in order send the whole mat
ter 10 the General Assembly. which meets At St
Louis in May This motion led technical dis
cUsson as TO whether the Presbytery could permit
Or. McGiffert's withdrawal in this and the
Moderator ruled that the request could be
granted. An appeal was taken from this ruling.
and. the Chair being reversed the request
formally granted.
DR.. r. A Johnson moved that Dr. McGiTerts
request be granted after the Moderator had read
the letter. DR., Birch noted exception the
ground that as an appeal is pending 20 the General
Assembly had M 10