Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-02
REPLY O|DR. Hills
Raw. 7. ". Russell breaches On i
Presbyterian Creed in Light Of
Dr. Hills Criticism.
Third Chapter Wsstminister Con
fssston Explained Church is
Divided In Opinion.

Admits Chapter IL Obsolete But
Says Dr.. Hills Was Too
Radical.
Rev. F.. w. Russell, pastor of the First
Presbyterian church OF this city,
preached very strong sermon to his
congregation last evening on the re-
Gently criticised chapters in the Presby-|
terrain creed known as the doctrine of
election. The sermon was occasioned by
the recent sensational utterances Of DIR.
Hills from the pulpit OF old Plymouth
church, Brooklyn. The subject has
gained renewed interest just now be-
cause OF DR.. Hills statements, and Rev.
Russell arose to the occasion with q
very clear. candid, fair and just. as we'll
as thoughtful discourse. He said in
part:
One week ago this morning, in the
pulpit of old Plymouth church, Brook
Ign, made illustrious by the brilliancys
and personality of Henry Ward Beech
er, the present pastor, Newell Dwight
Hills, preached a sermon that has pro-
voked widespread comment. EDITORIAL
ly. the Brooklyn Eagle says his state
ments We're entirely unWarranteds by the
occasion. Other papers say he has read
himself out OF the Presbyterian church.
The statement that has perhaps caused
most comment was a quotation from
chapters of the Westminster Confession
of Faith, wherein at articles and It
is said, by DIR. Hills: BY the decree OF:
God some men and angels are foreor-s
dained to everlasting death. And these.
are particularly and unchangeably de-
signed, and their number is so certain
and definite that 1t can not either be in-
creased or diminished. Those OF you
who are familiar with the confession.
will recognize that DIR. Hills has not
Iquoted the paragraphs in their entirety
(Iiere followed the reading of the para
graphs.) 1 say this in order that may
further say that DIR. Hills has in no
wise misinterpreted OF misused their
Language or meaning.
.Dr. Hills says further:
I know not how others may feel, but
having conceded to my old instructors
the right to teach that, don't propose
Ito lose my own liberty in denying it. In.
ldeed, for years have encouraged the
lhope tina. these gentlemen had ceased to
teach the tenet of retribution. That a
great theological seminary should have
I150 students in its classrooms and that
men should be teaching such d doctrine
| lis source OF peril to American Chris
L 4 In nit Int ne hea n
lhave been taken from our chariots; and
so long as live shall continue to make
my protest against this doctrine that
Ilibels the gospel of Jesus Christ, misrep-
i resents the divine government and is
calculated to turn men away from Jesus
IChrist, the worlds Savior. Regeneration
4 and Redeemer. as we'll as its Judge and
King.
Commenting upon these statements.
4 DIR. Herrick Johnson. of Mccormick
|seminary, man OF broad mentality
and remarkably large hearted Christian
belief, and under whose teaching Dir.
Hills sat while in seminary says DIR.
Hills grossly misrepresents the
4 truth In his statement that our
ministers swear to believe and preach
4 the truth Of the phrase he singles out.
l|lmetical statement about the number
A of the saved. No Presbyterian believes
i that he promises such thing. That
4 phrase could be wiped out of the confes
tlssion and the substance of 1t remain un
sl.changed. Presbyterian ministers sub
s|lscribe TO the word of scripture. AS to
I the creed. however, they do not sub
jlscribe to it's distinct and specific state
|ments, but, in so many words. to the
s|system Of doctrine whcih the creed con-
s|8tains. Scripture does not say in any
5Iplace that just certain number of men
5lare to be saved, and the Language of the
|creed wrongly interprets the scripture
on that point. I reject that as reject
some other phrases of the Westminster
4 confession. II the creed We're TO be
written today it would, be written, diff
4 ferently. Revision or new creed. in
S|deed, is bound to come sooner or later.
..One word further as to DR.. Hills.
admire his honesty. Having spoken as
he did and having received conmunicar
a ton from his brother ministers he says:
q ~ have Just gent to the proper au-
d sthorities letter saying that il my
4 views were seriously objected to
a would In the interest OF peace and har-
mony, Withdraw.
Il Contrast this with the positions Ia
Il ken by Dr. Charles a. Briggs and nr
McGiffert. who, recognizing that their
views were not In harmony with those
|held by the PRESBYTERIAN church, con-
g|tinued not only to hold and teach those
Views, hut continued to receive money
4 lin salary from the church whose historic
1 traditions and beliefs they were striving
Il to overthrow Without passing judg.
! ment upon their opinions we may Sc.
verely criticize their honesty. Not 5,
with DR.. Hills.
There are two parties today within
v the Presbyterian church. The one hold!
to the older or ultra Calyanism. This /.
the unquestioned theology Of Augustine
\ the profound bishop OF Hippo. and o
John Calvin, one of the most tremend
Gus intellectual factors found Within
I the centuries. There can be no question
OF the fact that the immensely profound
lmind, eminent scholarship and SINGER,
sIheart OF John Calvin have influenced
thousands on thousands OF men to heroi,
!, !struggle for both religious and intellect
|ual liberty. say with pride that CAT
!. vinism has been and is bulwark o
!, freedom. Civilization and .hemanity ow,
! a debt to John Calvin not easily repaid
The belief in Gods sovereignty, liftet
i Unto high prominence by Calvin, pu
! iron into the hearts of the Huguenot