New-York tribune., 1909-06-15
THEOLOGUES ACCEPTED
THEIR VIEWS UNCHANGED
Presbytery Satisfied at Second Trial
Of Three Union Graduates.

Archibald Black. John E steen and George J.
Fitch whose licenses to preach were withheld by
the New York Presbytery after their first exannna-
ton on dogma two months ago, were finally accept
ed yesterday after across-re of questioning last
ing nearly five hours. which one clergyman said
would have made angels Weep"
The three young men were graduates Of the
Union Theological Seminary in May but because
their answers to theological questions regarding
such subjects the 'sacraments." the authority
Of the Bible" the miracles the resurrection
and deity of Christ and the 'inrna culate concep
ton" not satisfactory, they not licensed
with the other members of the class Of twenty-five.
Yesterday committee. composed of the Rev. DR..
David G. Vylie, the Rev. DR.. J. Ross Stevenson.
the Rev Dr. William r. Richards, the Rev. DR..
Henry 5 Hodge and the Rev. Dr. Henry L. Smith,
who had been appointed to re-examine the stu
dents. reported that they believed denomination
by the presbytery would be satisfactory than
the first one
Each applicant for the ministry then exam
ined separately. while the others remained in an
other room. The examination rigidly formal,
the young being placed in chair the
platform, with the Rev Dr. James H Hoadley.
permanent clerk of the presbytery and pastor Of
the Thirteenth Street Church. on one e4de. and on
the other the Rev. DR.. Jesse F. Forbes. stated
clerk and pastor Of the Adams Memorial Church.
The Rev. DR.. Robert Mackenzie of Rutgers River
side Church. presided.
The Rev Dr. W. D Buchanan, Of the Fourth ave
nue. church and the Rev. John Fox. secretary OF
the American Bible Society. those who' LED
the opposition 10 the young mems belief in non
literal Interpretation of certain parts OF the Bible
Dr. Buchanan. for instance, wanted to know
whether Mr. Black believed the apple story Of
Adam and Eve.
Mr.. Black replied that the apple story merely
an allegory, and that he thought II unessential TO
useful Christian work a minister. DR.. Buchanan
and others protested, but Mr.. Black was sustained
by a vote Of 50 to IS After the first examination
many OF the presbyters left the room and opposi-
ton 70 MI Steen dwindled to nineteen, against
forty-7ve Of those who sustained him.
After the meeting the Rev. DR.. Lee ". Beattie.
assistant pastor Of the Madison Avenue Presby-
terian Church. said that the candidates had not
changed in the beliefs expressed by them two
months ago.
IT is because they not hold the set beliefs Of
the older school that some of the most conserva-
tive will not accept them,' said lfr. Beattie But
they are earnest men. ready and able to do good
work This quiz has been along lines that would
make angels weep. The candidates should be
Judged not from what they know, but from what
they can do
Some consider the Adam and Eve story al
leEory others as poetry. still others think II
may have some foundation in fact. but there are
not five men in the whole Presbytery who take II
literally. The candidates accept the Bible as a
spiritual guide. and the Church's views in regard
to the resurrection concerning which considerable
liberality of thought IS allowed"
The Rev. Dr.. Forbes said that neither the Pres
bytery nor the candidates had changed in their be
liefs In the last two months. but that q better
understanding had been reached through the exam
ination.