The times., 1901-04-21
BARRED FROM THE MINISTRY.
Four students of the Union Seminary
Declared UBorthodox


NEW YORK. April 2O-Four members
of the senior class OF Union Theo-
logical Seminary have been refused
ordination to the ministry by the ex-
amining boards of their respective denoni-
nations. OF these failures to qualify. one
occurred before the Worcester Central As
sociation of Congregational Ministers. one
before the Elizabeth Association Of Com
gregatonal Ministers and two before the
Westchester Presbytery. It is reliably
stated that all were due more or less TO the
so-cailed unorthodox opinions OF the can
didates.
In the Westchester Presbytery the doc
trine of the atOnement seemed TO be the
main point Of contention. The candidates
held the moral influence theory namely.
that the saving element in the atonement
lies in its revelation OF the love Of God:
this is in line with the teaching OF Union
seminary faction of the Presbytery
held, on the other hand. that the atone
ment means the ransom Of lost souls from
an angry God through the blood Of Christ
The candidates We're pressed to modify
their view so as to include the explation
theory, but without avail. Upon several
other points. also, they failed to qualify
and were given six months TO reflect The
u
still more interesting. Here the sub
ject of evolution was touched on and the
candidate seemed 10 be much more fluent
on evolution than on theology. He was
asked whether evolution was consistent
with the Holy Writ and replied In the
negative. He did not seem particularly
anxious to square his convictions with
Scriptural teaching He even ventured TO
explain parts of the Old Testament as Of
legendary origin. The point at issue
seemed to be the ultimate source Of au-
thOrity; whether the ultimate appeal
should be made to the dictum of Scripture
or to rational conviction The latter was
the point OF view of the candidate and
he was turned down.
The Worcester case was also a conflict
over the question of the Ultimate appeal.
whether to the Bible or 70 conscience The
candidate was unable to find sufficient
ground for a positive belief in immortal
ity, although he would not deny the pos
sibility of Immortality. Upon being asked
how ne explained the evident belief of
Christ and of Paul in Immortality. he re-
piled that he did not feel compelled to
agree with Christ or Paul at any point at
which his convictions led in the opposite
direction. His position seemed to be that
laticLs, but ones life with the teaching OF
Christ: the Christian minister is he who
honestly purposes to serve his generation.
and he should not be forced to accept
those theological doctrines of the Scrip
lures in which he cannot believe. Ac-
cordingly. he was refused a license to
preach. and was given six months to re-
cant
Evidently. It is said. Union Seminary Is
still producing "heretics'' who believe that
a man should rely on his own rational con-
victions rather than on any external au-
thority. This is the principle which forced
Prof Briggs and Prof McGiffert 10 leave
the Presbyterian Church; and Ii is today.
the supporters of that side believe COM
pelling some of our best young men TO re-
main out of the ministry. The four men
who have been refused ordination are said
to be among the abIest and most earnest
members of the graduating class All 0f
them stand on the principle on which
Union Seminary stands. that the ultimate
source of appeal is TO individual e0nvic-
ton Their friends say that il takes men
tai strength 10 have an individual cOnvic-
ton" but here mental strength is exciud-
ing men from the ministry while Il places
lawyers and physicians high up In their
professions. In the sacred profession. tney
say the unfit survive. in other professions
the fit-a conflict between science and re-
Hgion which is apt TO result disastrously
for the latter.
What is the difficulty said d Union
Seminary man today Simply that, in
the minist arial profession, the nJ are
placed at the disposal Of the unit The
examination of candidates for ordination
to the ministry should be taken out OF
the hands of incapable ecclesiastical bod
les and entrusted to the faculty of a theO-
logical seminary. Either let the certit-
cate of graduation from a seminary serve
as the sole credential necessary for ordi-
nation, or let the faculty give a special
examination. The method would eliminate
the orthodox test, and also would ensure
a fairer and more thorough test of
''AS it *. questions are shot at the can
didate from all quarters of the room. and
tie candidate Is expected to remain per-
fectly cool and collected before a body
Of some sixty men. two or three of them
talking at once, and all more or less eX-
cited. The questions are often idiOtic and
the replies incoherent. The candidate is
expected to be informed on all points.
from the color of Adams beard TO the lat
est view of the atonement. The scene re-
minds one of the hazing of a freshman.
Not until this ridiculous system is abolish
ad will the ministry be raised to the level
IF other professions in efficiency. Young
men today force their way into the minis
ry in spite of, not because of their abil-
ty. What better cause can be found Tor
he present weakness of the prOfeSSiOuZ