Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-03
untll1it ihI as become as all.consumlns


this hour am chiefly conscious Of my
indebtedness to Jesus Christ, whose
teachings. whose character. whose life
and death. have done more for my ln-I
tellect, aspirations and conscience than
all the books and Instructors. Never
has Chriet's ministry seemed SO sacred.
inspiring and all-important. OF late 4
have felt that the church was ap-
preaching great crisis and that while
we have been discussing the nature Of
Inspiration and petty critical problems
and while we have been trying each
other FOR heresy, the multitudes have
been turning away from the Threshold
OF the Christian church to wander Ia
the darkness and storm. If have
seemed critical OF the creed 1t was be-
cause I have feared that an OVER
emphasis of creeds was making the
queen OF the sciences, theology. to be-
associated with scorn and contempt or
the part OF business men.
misunderstanding my .ca! spirit
E(perhaps thru my imperfect statement)
some have said that am drifting
away from the Christian faith and be-
coming Interested in philosophy and
Nevertheless, the exact OPP.
ipositeg Is the truth. OF late 1t has
seemed to me that unless our churches
put away all minor issues and present
a solid front, that our Christian civilt-
cation is to be overwhelmed by. the
forces of Mammon and greed, thru the
Sluxury5of the selfish rich and the in
difference of the discontented poor. All
this has burned as Are in my bones
and have felt that IL did not speak
that the very stones in the streets
would cry out against me.
now perceive that my position has
been misunderstood and nothing Is left
but for me to Withdraw. 1 withdraw,
not to escape existing responsibilities
on my part, for shall henceforth full
fill to the last degree my every duty to
the church of Christ. From this time
am bound to my college, seminary
and brethren in the ministry, but you
are free from embarrassment or re-.
sponsibility for my views. Hitherto
disagreements in the presbytery have
been accompanied by trials for heresy:
and the disturbance OF the church. Il
hope that my withdrawal will strengths
en- friendships and will make for peace.
For lay down my ministry, not that 1
may be free to attack some non-essen-
tial In the creed that may be dear to
some OF You. but only that thout any
embarrassment or friction l may be,
free to affirm those great positive prin-
ciples Of the Christian faith that we all,
agree upon and love, a S we love life it
self j know full Well that the public
Will misunderstan and my frank words
and that cSnics will say that / have
worn my heart upon my sleeve. For
that reason / address this letter TO my.
brethren in the presbytery of Chicago
and TO you alone. To all my friends in
the presbyteryf l send greetings and as
surances OF esteem, respect and affec-
ton and to. the end that my views may
cease to be an occasion OF disturbance
unanimous vote to erase by name from
the prebytery and to permit me to de-i
NIT my ministry in the Presbyterian
church.
NEWELL DWIGHT HILLIs.
AT the conclusion OF the reading Of
the letter a motion to refer it To a COM
mittee of three for consideration was
adopted and DR.. .. G. X. Mcclure, pres
ident Of Lake Forest University; Dr.
William r. hoffman, Of the Fourth
church; and DR.. w. ]. Chichester. OF
the First church, We're named
The committee spent some time In
discussing the letter and finally de-
cided 10 ask for two weeks in which to
consider the matter before making any
recommendation to the presbytery. and
the request was granted by unani-
nous vote.
When Or. w. G. Gray. editorsof the
Interior and a personal friend OF the
Brooklyn pastor, stepped upon the
platform to present the letter TO the
Chicago presbytery. the auditorium Of
! olivet Memorial church. in which the
meeting was held. was crowded to the
doors. nearly every Presbyterian min
lister in Chicago being present. The
reading of the letter was followed With
the closest interest.