New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-06-14
HERESY AND A MORTGAGE.
Secretary of Bible Society attacks
Ne5U MADISON AUenue Pastor.

Great interest was aroused in church circles
Yesterday when It was learned that certain
printed utterances of the Rev Henry Sloane
Coffin had been brought to the attention OF the
Presbytery at its meeting on Monday MT.
Coffin is the pastor-eect of the Madison Avenue
Presbyterian Church. on which. it is sald' the
American Bible Society holds mortgage
amounting to about S2Oo0 The conviction of
the pastor of heresy would have considerable
effect, it is said on the mortgage.
At Mondays meeting the Rev. DR.. John Fox
as q member Of the Presbytery, moved to have a
committee appointed to investigate two sermons
delivered by Mr.. Coffin several years ago and
afterward printed privately in pamphlet form.
The Rev DR.. Howard Duffield, however. at once
made a counter motion to dismiss the entire
theme from the Presbytery's attention, stoutly
defending Mr. Coffin. The counter motion was
carried by an overwhelming majority of about
10 to g. and the subject not recorded
The fact that DR.. Fox is secretary of the
American Bible Society. which is in possession
of the mortgage, lent an additional interest TO
the proceedings. DR. Fox declared Indignantly
however. that he not present as secretary OF
the society. but as member of the Presbytery.
At the May meeting of the Presbytery, it
seems, Timothy G. Sellew. an elder of the Madi-
son Avenue Presbyterian Church entered an OBJ
lection to Mr. Cofins transfer to this church
from the Bedford Park Church, naming the two
sermons in question the basis for his objec-
ton The objection was overruled.
At Mondays meeting the Presbytery received
from Mr.. Seew copy of the printed pamphlet
containing his sermons Mr.. Sellew asking that
the Presbytery take such action as it might see
fit Dr. Fox then made his motion for the ap-
pointment of an investigating committee. DR..
Fox was at pains TO point out that it was not
Mr.. Coffins personality that was question. In
Justice both to Mr.. Coffin and Mr.. Selew, how
ever it was only fitting that the pamphlet be
considered.
One of the two sermons-both were delivered
at the Bedford Park Church-had it's theme
'.The Trinity treated from modern quasi-scien-
tiic point Of view.
The Rev. DR.. Francis E. Marsten, the mod
orator of the seminary, told Tribune reporter
last night that he knew nothing about the Ques-
ton of Mr. Coffn's utterances. He declined to
discuss the question.
Dr. Fox when seen last night, refused to dis
cuss the subject
Mr. Coffin will succeed DR.. Howard Agnew
Johnston He began work a student under
the church extension committee of the Presby-
tery at Bedford Park. in a small hall over a
butchers shop in March, 1900; was licensed by
the Presbytery at the April meeting. ordained in
the University Place Church on May 2 and be-
came stated supply OF the Bedford Park con-
gregation when 1t was organized. with forty five
| members in June Mr.. Coffin was installed as
nastor I'm February 1901. In February. 1904. Mr.
| Coffin was invited TO become assistant professor
oe bomiletics in Union Seminary. and has taught
there for a year. while retaining the pastorate
| of the Bedford Park Church.