New-York tribune., 1909-07-08
FITCH ORDAINED
The ReU. DR.. Gregory Says Presbg-
tern Thre1C Out the Bible.

In spite Of a protest. signed by five members the
New York Presbytery ordained the Rev George A
Fitch last night at the Old First Presbyterian
Church, Fifth and 18th street.
The Presbytery met at O'Clock. and. according to
the Rev. DR.. Jesse F. Forbes stated clerk. motion
vas made to ordain Mr.. Fitch without further
animation. in view OF the regency of his examina-
ton June "A. when he voted license The
motion prevailed by vote Of TO 3. 1t fol-
lowed by a protest signed by the Rev. Dr. John
Fox, secretary OF the American Bible Society; the
Rev. DR.. H. B. Elliott; the Rev. DR.. George L.
Shearer, secretary emeritus Of the American Tract
Society: the Rev. DR.. Frederick E. Shearer and the
Rev DR.. Daniel S. Gregory. The protest made
the ground that Mr.. Fitch's examination June
IA not satisfactory and it will be presented TO
the Synod.
Immediately after the meeting of the Presbytery
the protesting members left the church. by unani-
nous consent of the Presbytery. The others at
tended the ordination. which conducted by the
Rev. Dr. George Alexander. the Moderator The
Rev. DIR. Francis Brown. president Of the Union
Theological Seminary, preached the sermon The
Rev. DR.. James McC. Henry. member OF the Pres
bytery Of Washington, delivered the ordaining
prayer. The Rev. DR.. Alexander delivered the
charge.
The other two students of the Union Theological
Seminary who denied their licenses in April
and received them June "A. upon the report Of a
special committee will be ordained according TO
the usual custom. when they become pastors OF
churches. Mr.. Fitch ordained because he
wished to leave Thursday for China, where he
will enter the work Of the Young Mems Christian
Association in Shanghai.
Or. Gregory was the only protesting member who
would express himself the action of the Pres
bytery. He said:
Il do not believe in a kindergarten examination.
Unless a has made UP his mind all the
essentials he is not fitted TO preach The liberal
element asserts that these three have given
liberal Interpretation of the miracles I say that
they have denied the miracles
The action of the Presbytery tonight certainly
n
denied facts and doctrine of the Scriptures. They
be found in Matthew and Luke. but said they did
not accept it.
Tonight it a Of the Bible against the
men. one had be thrown out. and they threw
out the Bible. The Presbytery OF New York threw
out the Bible the infallible guide faith and
practice.
Il voted against the ordination of Mr.. Fitch be-
cause / took the stand that IL accepted him
We forced him into perjury. Go and see II he an
swers the first questions that put to him
by the Moderator
The questions referred TO by DR.. Gregory were:
Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments 70 De the only infalhble rule Of faith
and practice?
| sion OF Faith OF this Church as containing the
system OF doctrine taught in the Holy Script
| ures?
| Mr.. Fitch answered both of the questions in the
| affirmative.
DR.. Gregory's comments the action Of the
Presbytery did not meet with the approval Of the
| members, for according to the bylaws the only
authorized to give out information concerning
the action OF the Presbytery IS the stated clerk