Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-04-03
STOP HERESY HUNTING
Rev. DR.. Hills Advice to the
Presbyterian Church.
USE THAT TIVE SAVING SOULS,
Does Not Believe In REORGANIZATION Re
fuses TO Preach Presbsterianism with
That In the creed--Aslsed to Be De-
mitted From the Ministry.

CHICAGO, April 3.--The resignation
of Rev Newell DWIGHT Hills, pastor Of
Plymouth church Brooklyn, from the
Chicago presbytery and the request
that he BE- allowed to demit from the
Presbyterian church, was placed before
the annual meeting of the Chicago pres
bytery No action will be taken ON the
matter for two weeks, the committee to
which DIR. Hills letter of resignation
was referred for consideration request
ing that much time on account of the
many important interests invol9 d, and
being unwilling to take hasty action on
matter SO important to the Presby-
terrain churth
DIR. Hills resignation was in the
form of letter to DIR. w G. GRAY, edi-
tor of The Interior, and a personal
friend of the Brooklyn pastor, and when
the aged divine stepped upon the plat
form to present the letter to the Chi
cago presbytery, the auditorium Of Oil
vet Memorial church, in which the
meeting was held was crowded to the
| doors, nearly every Presbyterian minis.
ter in Chicago being present.
Rev. DR.. Hills said in part:
regret exceedingly that my former in
structors have Thought one Of their students
lacking in courtesy and respect for those to
whom | am eonfessedly under obligation,
through the lecture room and library. can
but think, however, that the scope, content and
drift Of my sermon were entirely misappre-
hended. have long felt that our easy going,
pleasure loving generation is in danger of los
ing its moral stamina, and the sturdy fidelity
of conviction that was the glory of our puritan
ancestors. Having often piled men with mo-
tives Of self interest, reason and love- in the
sermon the automatic judgment seat in
man. appealed to the sense of justice and
righteousness.
Failing to find a sufficient rational basis for
penalty and alarm in the old Galvnistic theol.
ogy, did find a basis for fearing the penalties
Of transgression IN reason and memory, in
Judgment ard conscience. The sermon sounds
the note Of warning and alarm. 1t capitalizes
righteousness and not pleasure as the keynote
of character. By every possible motive I urged
men to turn from their transgressons lest they
fall under the penalties of the automatic judg-
ment seat in man as well as the condemnation
of God In passing spoke of the fragmentary
theories of Dante, OF Michael Angelo of Jona-
than Edwards and orr confession of faith
Hitherto | have encouraged myself in the
hope and belief that nine-tenths of our mem
bers and most OF our pastors rejected this
chapter in the confession. In uniting with the
containing the system Of doctrine" phrase
unfortunately omitted in my sermon of last
Sunday
1t now seems that this qualification "as con.
tanning the system of doctrine does not per
NIT one to deny this doctrine of reprobation.
One of my former professors says I have
"coldly, clearly and insolently denounced the
doctrines of the faith and therefore, "can
not consistently remain in the church" For
years, in common with many other preachers,
have been apologizing for our creed, aud say
ing that while our confession of faith says
that some men and angels are foreordained TIC
everlasting DEATH" that nobody believed it.
Nevertheless, during these years, Ihave been
disturbed by tine thought that nothing lowers
the moral sense of the community like the
keeping on statute books laws that are daily
disobeyed and laughed at. And what shall be
said of the injury to our children and youth OF
preserving intact creed that is accepted by
clerical instructors one day and denied by our
ministers the next ? During the past years
lab0red in season and out of season with voice
and pen to secure a revision of the confession
that we might be clear before the world. But
/ it now seems that some teachers in our theo-
logical seminaries hold to the doctrine of re-
probation, teach it, love it, count it an integral
part OF our system and urge that if / can not
accept it, must withdraw from the church.
In fulfilling their request, now discern that
| I have for years been in a false position, and
desire to set myself right.
The views now hold and teach have held
and taught during my pastorates of the First
I Presbyterian church, at Evanston, and the
Central church, of Chicago. What little light
/ have had has not been under bushel. have
not believed one thing secretly and taught am
other openly. Holding back nothing have
tried to give the light as the light has gone
forth from Gods word to me- But l now see
that have grieved and disturbed my brethren.
The happiness and welfare of man
should weigh for moment against the welfare