Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-03

Chicago. April 3.-Fo GLOWING is the
text of DR.. Hillis,!l letter of withdrawal.
from the Chicago pres ytery::
Herewith I present my withdrawal
rom The p.esby;..css;- ss h::csgc and ask
to be permitted to demit the ministry OF
the Presbyter.s. church. Recent events
and more particularly the open state
ment of some OF my old friends and the-
illogical instructors have shown that my
membership in the presbytery has be-;
come an occasion of embarrassment In
their work. Ny affection and regard for
Mr.. Beecher and DR.. Lyman Abbott
have led me to delay for a little time my
request for a letter of dislnission to the
Association here.
deeply regret that my sermon of last
Sunday has disturbed my old friends
lin the church and former instructors.
can but think that the scope, content
and drift OF my sermon We're entirely
misapprehended. i have long felt that
our easy-golng, pleasure-loNing genera
tionis indanger of losing its moral sta
nina, and the sturdy fidelity OF convic-
ton that was the glory of our Puritan
ancestors. For years. in common with
many other preachers, l have been apo,-
ogizing for our creed, and saying that
while our confession of faith says that
some men and angels are fore ordained
Ito everlasting death, that nobody be-
llieyed 1T. Nevertheless, during these
years l have been disturbed by the
thought that nothing lowers the moral
sense of the community like the keeping
on statute books laws that are daily
.dispbeyed and laughed at; and what
Shall be said of the injury to our chill
sdren and youth of preserving intact a
creed that is accepted by our clerical in
jstruetors one day and denied by our
ministers the next. During past years.
Il labcred in season and out Of season
With voice and pen to secure revision
of the confession that we might be clear
before the world. BUTT now seems that
some teachers In our theological semi
Inaries hold to the doctrine of a reproba-
ton. teach it. love 1T, count it an in
.tegral part Of our system and urge that
If ! can not accept 1t 1 must withdraw
from The church.
lin fulfilling their request, now d.a-'
Germ that I have for years been in a
false position, and desire 10 set myself
right.
While in the seminary and college 1
was in a state of constant rebellion
against the type of Calvinismi there
taught. 1 early became convinced that
the foundations Of the old theological
systems were dissolving and that Il new
basis must be found, and after several
years Of mental doubt and distress 1
found that new basis In Christianity as
interpreted from the viewpoint of The
|istic evolution. The views now hold
and teach i have held and taught during
my pastorates and what little light
have had has not been under bushel.
a have not believed one ..ling secretly
and taught another openly. AS i am no
longer a CalNinist in the old sense of the
term and could not today accept the un-
revised confession IF faith. have decii-
ed 10 denit my ministry in the Presby-
terrain church, and beginning anew. to
unite with some other body on the state
of my present belief.
In going out from you lest some
misunderstand my action i wish TO re-
affirm my faith in what is; called the
great fundamental principles of Christi
anity AS never before believe in God
the Father maker of heaven and earth
and IN His loving providence; in His all-
helpful, all-comforting, all-guiding and
regenerating spirit; in Jesus Christ, The
worlds savior and redeemer, and our
way and truth and life: In man made In
the image of God. and despite his sin
fulness and ignorance he is sincerely
and truthfuily invited to come unto
likeness to his Father / believe that
what Christ was and did and suffered
for few men thru three and thirty
years. God is and does and suffers for
all men, III all worlds. thru all ages. IL
the new scholarship has destroyed my
old view of the Bible. as never before
believe HE Bible 10 be the VOID Of God.
a light 10 my feet and lamp 10 nv
path After years of mental conflict
and doubt, l have bought these faiths
at great price. Nothing can wrest
them from me. For me the principles
of evangelical Christianity seem as
firmly fixed as mountains and stars. so
far also from loving the Christian
church and the Christian ministry less.
these views have strengthened my love
L