Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-06-21
HETERopox MINISTER'S.

A short time ago three young men
were examined by the New York Pres
bytery on their views, previous 10
their adlanittance TO the pulpit, as
preachers. The examination was held
behind closed doors, but a runner was
abroad to the effect that they We're
not orthodox, and q great deal OF in-
s terest was taken in the case. Az the
4 April meeting they were rejected, but
this time they were given license to
preach.
IT has since become known that these
p1en do not believe in the historical in
eerpretation of the Mosaic account Of
4 the fall; nor the orthodox view of
4 original sin. Here are some Of the
questions. said to have been put to
4 them during the examination, and the
3 answers:
do you believe that sin was trans. \
rlitted to all mankind by the passage
OF the apple from Eve to Adam in the
Garden OF Eden ~
No. we interpret that part OF the
u scriptures as entirely allegorical.
Then you do not believe literally
the part OF the Scripture relating to
\ original SIM asked the Rev. DR.. Wal
q ter Buchanan Of the Fourth Avenue
church "a s$
No 9 the applicants said. I'VE be-
lieye that man began with sin.
DO you believe In the divine birth of
\ Christi. was another question.
" we believe that Christ Is the only,
Il savior of mankind. We believe In His
\ Divinity, but We do not accept the lit
era scriptural interpre OF His
a birth.' sg Mr.
Do you believe in the scriptural.
narration or i5t.le resurrection of
& Christ y.
Again the young men dcfied ortho-5,
1 doxy. ls s. s r. lFE
No. they said; we believe IN Ills
spiritual resurrection, hut cannot nc
sfcept the belief that He rose, In the
n body, from the tomb
i&as3s DO YOU believe that Lazarus was
raised from the d lead ~ 5
Not In the flesh. We hold that tho
I remuneration of Lazarus was a spiritual
resurrection. /"
The vote showed the presence OF
quite a number of liberal" Prcsby-
sterian ministers. The first balloing
& showed 81 liberals against SO conserva-
y tiyes. zSgss III
We presume that the Preshytery will
I have To report to the Synod, or the Cen.
eral Assembly. and that the final word
viii he spoken there. / Will be re-.
H nenbereti that Professor Briggs would
have had no difficulty with the Pres.
q bSteiy, had not the higher authorities
ii taken the matter up. Briggs Withdrew,
r. and vet he was hai'dly as far advanced
Tin liberal Views MS these young men
Il are.
These ministers, we fear. frankly
= stated what great many believe Bit
dare not say. for fear OF losing their.
positions. There is a great deal OF rl-
p sionalsln, and .highar criticism, and
lzsven atheism and asrlostlcism in the
s modern plllpits. 1t Is a somewhat
& common saying that clergymen who
4 are wealthy, or who have rich wives, or
who are in contact with luxurious par
lshioners, cannot DO expected to be sd
gerely orthodox. Some of those who
+ he not independent simply sell ortho-s
aoxy for what there is III it. We cam
4 not. therefore, but admire the frank
ness with which these young men stat.
I. I'd their Views. An open and honest
z acknowledging of opinions, no matter
! aoW wrong they may be, is infinitely
better than Hypocrisy. But for their
swn sake, and the sake OF the churches,
these young men should not engage IN
the ministry. They are not fit for that
position. IL the authorities of the
Presbyterian church should advise
them not TO enter the pulpit. but to
contine themselves to the lecture plat-
form. that would be good and timely
( counsel, and they would prove Them
T selves wise by following it.