New-York tribune., 1904-10-12
FIGHT IN PRESBYTERY.
MAY BE HERESY. TRIAL.
Warm Discussion OUcr DR.. Carters
Letter-ActiOn Postponed.

The Rev. DR.. Samuel T. Carter, Presbyterian
minister. of No. 80 West Eighty-secOnd-st,
Manhattan. a member of the Presbytery OF
Nassau. was under discussion yesterday at the
annual meeting Of the PresbyteFy. held in the
First Presbyterian Church Of Oyster Bay.
letter sent by DR.. Carter to each member OF
the Presbytery makes it possible that he may
ne tried for hercsy. 1t was over the question
as TO whether DR.. Carter should be so tried
dropped from the Church supported by the
Presbytery that the discussion was held It was
finally decided 70 put or action until the De-
cember meeting of the Presbytery.
Dr. Carter's letter, which has been published
in fun. made the following statements. in sub
stance:
The whole scholastic theology and the Calvinistic
system that is built upon j. tS untrue: The doe
doctrine Of the Trinity has never brought to one
ray Of light aud when I think how It has divided divided
fellowship Of the most beautiful souls, ! de-
vouty wish it had never been formulated. But
fully accept Jesus Christ as the well beloved Son
glad heart. re has revealed to me the eternal
The received atonement doctrines OF our Church
an angry God soothed and appeased by the blood
Of innocent victim, cannot accept; but l De-
World that ha gave his only begotten Son. that
whosoever belirvcth ON him should not perish but
sse,ns mere i3perti1ence when placed beside this
simple and sublime declaration. and IN this rest
After the election Of officers the discussion be-
gan regarding DR.. Carter's letter. The Rev A
H. Fish said that he and his board of elders felt
that a clergyman who accepted the whole Cos
pei OF Christ should not be disciplined. He
offered a motion that Dr. Carter not only be
asked to remain. but that he be invited to appear
and more fully express his beliefs. The Rev Mr..
Merrill of Brentwood. seconded the motion.
A rising vote was taken TO determine whether
TO turn the case over to a committee To dis
cuss it openly 1t was decided to discuss it
openly. \ motion to so into executive session
was lost. In the discussion that followed the
church filed up with women and with members
Of other denominations.
The Rev. Or. Kneeland P. KetCham. Of Free
port said he had known DR. Carter for forty
six years, that he loved him like brother. and
aeId him always in loving regard. Then he re-
ierred to his statements heretCaL Dr.
KetchaIn said there were only two things &c do
to try DR.. Carter for heresy or TO drop him
from the Presbytery. He has denied the Atone
meut and is a rationalistic Unitarian said DIR.
Ketcham. warmly.
The Rev. Mr.. Fish demanded on what
grounds he could call man a Unitarian who
had plainly expressed his belief in the divinity
of Christ.
Dr. Ketcham said that disbelief in the di-
vinity Of Christ was not all that pertained TO
Unitarantsm, and then offered a resolution that
a committee be appointed to express the Presby-
terys high regard for DIR. Carter and that the
stated clerk be directed to remove his name
from the roll
There was storm % protest after the read
ing of the resolution. The Rev. DIR. Ketcham de-
Tended his position by stating that Dr. Carter
was a singer. and not a preacher. or a singing
preacher. He said:
He makes me think of a boy who thinks only
Of his fathers love. FIe nothing else Some
but the boy viii not listen saving II matters moth
ing, because he knows his father loves him Now.
facts which cannot he ignored Or. Carter Is like
IhS man VINO uoes hot go our to" see that u -
ing himself upon what a bright day it is He is an
hoWs IN he ee All t&s sSg Nth 8f Hf the mnd a
most affection for the brother. Now, We ig-
feel comfortable TO remain here unless ndoCse
we should he scorued II we sent him To the Con .
sregational church We must try him for heresy I.
oyterian but that is the very last thing l wish TO
see done.
Mr.. Fish, warm personal friend OF Dr. Car /
ter said:
What is CaIyinsm? Is it what Calvin believed .
hundreds OF years ago or what h. believes to- !
and a soul = Dr. Carter has drifted away from I
, Iarsef question than that Of Csivinisnl n our
church. He questions the faI OF man. In that he
g not alone. Professor Henry DrummOad expresses
similar views. Ee was tr!ed, and the Scotch Pres ,
lyterians upheld Kim. IL we cut DR. Garter from /
communion with our Church must dig up Drum /
nOnd's bones.
The Rev, Mr.. Grace. of Roslyn. said Dr.. I
Ketcham had read too much I'm the ,etter that /
was not in 1t. He could not see that DIR. Carter
had rejected the doctrine of the atOnement and /
there were voiced assents from various parts
" the room. DIR. Ketcham replied that Dr.
Carter certainly had rejected the atonement.
Brewster G. Sammis. Of Huntington. for many
years an elder in DR.. Carter's old church. spoke
kindly of his old pastor. He broke down from
Continued second page
Es4isesa ;. trains ,s s,y day between New York and