The Saint Paul globe., 1904-10-25
THINKS GEORGE DID
NOT CUT CHERRY TREE
David Morgan Starts Warm
Debate at Methodist Min
Isters' Meeting

'Tf Christianity isn't sufficient evil
dence N itself of it's own divine origin.
without regard to miracles, it isn't
worth the powder to blow it away"
But this opinion of Rev. David Nor
gan's, expressed yesterday afternoon
at the Hotel Bethel. during a meeting
of the Methodist Ministers association,
was only one Of several statements
Mr.. Morgan even cast doubts upon the
story of George Washington and the
cherry tree.
mo kid ever grew up" protested the
pastor of the Bethel, that never told
a lie.''
In his paper upon Miracles, which
the meeting discussed, Mr.. Morgan had
declared that God might have done un-
usual things through Christ, but did
not violate any natural law.
81 accept the resurrection" said the
essayist, because it was a necessity
and because it is supported by all the
historical records. But 1 don't accept
the doctrine of the immaculate con-
ception. It wasn't a necessity; it is not
supported by historical records. 1t
was not a doctrine or belief of the
Jews. 1t is never referred to by Christ
or by His apostles.
Read Books at Library
f'When l came here twenty-four
years ago." continued Mr. Morgan, 81
was so orthodox that Brothe Innis"
(Prof. George S. Innis, of Hamline
university wasn't in it. But I met
and talked with various progressive
public library and studying the learned
scholars. Like DR.. Avison, I accept
Christ rather than the book. You
brothers that stick out for an inert
book-you are not Methodists; you
ought to belong to the Presbyterians.
Yet Mr.. Morgan stood almost alone.
DR.. r. N. Avison, of the Hamline
church, did admit that he doubted
some things attributed to Christ, but
they were tri1es. DR.. Avison didn't
believe, for example. that the angel
troubled the pool of Bethesda. 1t was
a statement omitted altogether from
the revised version of the scripture.
"The essential thing concluded DR..
Avison, lis to believe in Christ him
self. no longer cite the miracles in
my sermons to prove Christ's divinity"
Rev, B. r. Wiener, of Emmanuel
church, related with applause that, as
divinity student, he had been mark
ed 10" and very good" for the state
ment that "Philosophically, we cannot
explain miracle: theologically, we be-
lieve it without explaining it,
But DR.. T. w. Barbour, of the Clin-
ton Avenue church, insisted, IF all the
world should say this book wasn't
true, I would still believe it."
Morgan Arouses Ministers
So forcible and frequent became the
protests against Mr.. Morgan's declara-
tions that DR.. Avison eXpostulated. Mr..
Morgan, the doctor said, had a right
to be heard. Rev. A. L. Koeneke, of
the Dayton's Bluff German church,
who presided, eventually enabled Mr..
Morgan to fill out his six minutes por-
tion of debate.
Then Rev. S. E,-Ryan, Of the Bates
Avenue church, rose to question Of
privilege. ST consider" he said, that
/ was called down by Brother Avison
for questioning Brother Morgan, as
had a right to do"
Mr.. Barbour, too, declared earnestly,
"This is the first ministers meeting
have ever been in when such state
ments were allowed as those of Broth
er Morgan-that we took the Bible and
swallowed it like a sugar-coated pill" !"
81 move we adjourn" cried voice.
Second the notion exclaimed anoth-
er. And the pastors arose to sing,
BLESSED Be the Tie That Joins Our
Hearts in Trust. and Love-"
Next Monday afternoon the minis
ters' association will meet at. 2:30
o'clock at the Hotel Ryan.