The Washington herald., 1909-10-28

AS an innovation in the uses TO
which slot machines may be put,
Rev. DR.. Donald Gutherie, Of Balti-
more, suggests the latest and most
radical.
DR.. Gutherie was talking on
"Calvinism" at the session of the
Synod of Baltimore at the Metro
politan Presbyterian Church last
night. He said:
Life has become so meaningless
and so useless to some that I advo-
cate the setting up of a suicide slot
machine, where one can deposit
cent and be killed easily and re-
specially"
This unique and unexpected declara-
tion came as a climax to the divine's plea
FOR a wholesome. enthusiastic interest in
life. This interest, he said. could not be
had except through living up TO the
standard OF Christianity.
life of John Calvin.
Addresses on the life OF John Calvin.
and the religion Of which he was the
founder. brought the synod session 20
close
Rev. Or. Wallace Radcliffe delivered
an address on John Calvin" He told
Of John Calvin's early life. of his penury,
and Of his high resolve. John Calvin
had a genius for friendship. said the
speaker. and men Of every condition Of
life. princes and paupers. went to see
Calvin at Geneva DR.. Radcliffe said
calvin was neither an asceti4 nor z
mOuntebank, but generous. broad-minded ]
and tolerant
At the conclusion OF Dr. Guthrle's ad-
dress, q vote of thanks was extended 90
the Presbyterians OF Washington, on be-
hall OF the synod fer the courteous con-
sideration its members have received.
The public press was also thanked for
the accuracy with which It had reported
the meeting. and for the generous amount
OF space given.
Rev. Dr. Radcliffe moved at the morn
ing session that an overture be sent TO
the general assembly deprecating the
prevalent tolerauon and Increasing as
sertion OF doubts and denials concerning
certain confessional statements and
asking n careful consideration OF this
critical situation" DR.. Radcliffe de-
clared he thought it imperative that
such an overture should go to the high
est body Of the church. He said that
from prevailing reports continually be-
ing spread from one end OF the English
speaking world to the other as to be-
lefs Of some Of the brethren. fl was
high time the matter be taken up by the
general assembly.
as soon as Dr. Radcliffe resumed his
seat. Rev. DR.. Donald c. Macleod de-
ciared that the matter should not be sent
90 the general assembly by the synod. /
because as soon as the resolution was
passed Il would go from one end Of the
country to the other. and could not hope
20 do the Presbyterian faith any good. on
account Of the talk that would naturally /
follow.
In support OF his motion. DR. Radcliffe
said the question was one which the
church must face sQuarely, and declared
that now was the time to make the
stand a number of other clergymen
also supported DR.. RGdcline's contention.
DR.. Haucllue'S victory
After the resolution had been reread.
n vote was taken. and the resolution pre-
vailed.
At the evening session various commit /
tee reports were read. Rev. Dr. Benham,
who reported for the John Calvin me-
mortal fund. to erect the statue Of a rep
resentative man Of the faith in Geneva,
Switzerland, declared that the head of
the committee in New York, OF which Dr.
Eliot, president emeritus OF Harvard is
president, has chosen Roger Williams to
be honored. He pointed out that, in his
belief, as we'll as the members Of the
committee Of the synod. they might have
chosen more wisely either Jonathan Ed |
wards or John Witherspoon as more rep
resentative OF the faith Of Calvin.
After the closing business had been en-
acted the synod adjourned. The next
meeting viii take place in Baltimore next
October. Members Of the synod declare 1
they VIII always remember theit meeting
IN Washington as one Of the most pleas
ant. as well as the most profitable. they
ever attended.