New-York tribune., 1900-03-20
M'GIFFERT TO WITHDRAW.
SENDS A LETTER TO DIR. DUFFrELD. IN
WHICH HE MAKES KNOWN HIS
INTENTION

The Rev. DR.. A. c. McGirert has written
letter to the Rev DR.. Howard Duffeld. Moder-
ator of the Presbytery of New-York. informing
him that he will withdraw from the Presby-
terrain Church in May.
DR.. Duffield. 1t said at his house last
night. out of the city and would not return
for two weeks. DIR. ". Adams Brown DR. Nc
Gifferts counsel, however made the first public
statement he has given so far in the famous
controversy saying:
It is true that Dr. McGirert has written such
letter He gives no reason for his action. though
it is not improbable that he will explain his
at some other time
DR.. Brown said he hoped that this would be
the end of the trouble, but hinted that all this
depended upon DR.. Birch In spite of the ap-
pellants assertion that he must go with the
case now that the appeal has been made to the
General Assembly, DR.. Brown said he quite
confident that if DR.. Birch should wish to let
the prosecution of the case drop there would be
nothing further for dispute in the McGiffert case.
In the mean time-until Dr. McGiferts pro-
posal TO withdraw is officially acted upon-the
Union Theological Seminary professor is still
member in good standing of the Presbyterian
Church.
DR.. Brown showed that he has the
iety that will be the whole Church's
as this last purpose of DR.. McGiffert's has been
definitely affirmed what DR. Birch will
do. and to whether the Church shall once
more be in a state of peace whether the
conservatives and the liberals shall continue
TO carry on the contention.
Neither DR.. Birch nor his friends knew any
thing about the final step DR.. McGiffert had
taken until a Tribune reporter brought the
news 10 them last night
One who knows Dr. Brchs side. after he had
been assured that there could be no mistake
about the report, spoke freely. He seemed TO be
in happy mood. due doubtless the relief
from the strain OF uncertainty which has fol-
lowed the controversy for the last few weeks.
This is statement OF Dr.. Birch's side of the
whole controversy:
Dr. Birch regards this victory, but he will
be quiet and dignifed about it. believing that he
Will thus do more for the cause ne mas been hgnt-
Gfert withdrew II was tacit admission-and
could not refute the charges made against him
He and his friends must have read the appeal very
carefully, for IL absolutely unanSwera BILE. For
asnrnb aS 10 PraSbvteTv avnrassad ire 5isa gree
ment with certain critical and theological views
of Dr. McGinert:
BY reason OF their ordination vows and obliga,
lions, the views OF all the members or the SAID
ment with the Scriptures and the standards There
fore, il the views OF the accused were in agree
If the views Of the majority Of the members Of said
tudicatory were not in agreement with those OF
members of said judicatory must, according 70 the
Scriptures and the standards
DR. Birch has had many letters from all over
the country. Some nave encouraged him IN nis
course others have maligned him in way that
should bring shame TO the writers. In these days
it the hereto but the prosecutor that is per-
secuted. 1t didn't TO be that way.
matter-of-fact Presbyterians that God has a
trOversy for church which looks with indiffer
ence upon the denial of the integrity OF the Bible
or questions In any way the deity OF HIS Son; and
the doctrines of the circle to which DR.. Briggs
and DR. McGfert belong.
The Church s weak to-day; II has no backbone
It isn't because of poverty that II does not give TO
prosperous as now: they could easily give $50,
100000 70 missions but they realize lie that God has has
II has been asserted that Dr. Birch did not know
enough formulate the charges against DR.. Nc
Giffert, that there were others behind him who
nisbjng the Courage Well il is true hat Dr.
Birch has been corresponding with and consulting
Men have labored with DR.. Birch. telling him he
majority against him The fact is every pres
Dyter has the sacred rlghI 70 appeal 20 & me hisn
tended that he should not appeal because ne was as
did lose his rights Congressman But il
he had appealed. Dr.. McGifert would never
AS for Dr. Birch's plans he will act firmly, CIV
christian sDirt The appeal will be considered by
a judicial committee of the General Assembly. and
come up FOR consideration. It will doubtless be en-
TeFtained ed SE San M eSed Tls to wSra
the against him will drop Whether Dr. Birch
bytery for dIsmssing his charges against Dr.. Nc
Giffert I do not know. But I'm sure that II the
General Assembly shows strong desire 70 crop
IT. Dr. Birch will not be insstent for the history
of the controversy will go on the records. and Dr
McGffert will have withdrawn.
1t is thought that Dr. McGirfert wishes 70
join the Congregational Church. but nothing is
definitely known in regard 10 that
Those who Ike DR.. Howard Agnew Johnston
have been thinking all along OF the welfare or
the Church. say they glad. for now the
Church can be developed in peace.