New-York tribune., 1911-01-17
Mr.. THOMAS MAY PREACH
PreSbytery to License and Or
daln Brick Church Assistant.
PROTEST BY MEMBERS
Object TO Action on Ground of
Unorthodox Beliefs and At
tendance of Seminary.

The Rev Norman ". Thomas q graduate
Of the Union Theological Seminary, re-
ceived license to preach from the New
York Presbytery at a special meeting yes
terday in the Old First Presbyterian
Church. Fifth avenue and llth street.
There was strong opposition TO his admis-
sion By q minority Of the members present.
A week ago AIr. Thomas was examined
for license 10 preach, the Brick Church'
al Fifth avenue and S7th street, having
asked the Pres5ytery TO take such action
as It wished to continue him as an as
sistant The Brick Church has had no pas
tor since the recent retirement OF the Ke'.
DR.. Henry Van Dyke, who served tempo
rarily after the death Of the Rev III
Richards.
BY vote Of 81 to 10 the Presbytery de-
cided in favor Of Mr.. Thomas, after WHICH,
his opponents presented formal protest
In some respects the opposition 70 MT.
Thomas was based on the same grouhuS
rs IN the case OF Messrs. Steen. BLACK anu
Fitch. Union Theological Seminary hieh'
when they came before the Presoytery
year ago They were finally admitted. II
was said that several who led that protest
were signers OF the one against MY
Thomas, though his friends said there was
no question as TO his orthodoxy or the
satisfactory nature of his examination.
The protest, which IS signed by eight
clergymen and two laymen, reads IN part
as follows
We record our deliberate and solemn
protest against the action Of the PTeSDJ-
terry in approving whole the examina-
tion Of Norman Thomas for licensure.
First that he did not accept the authoT-
fly OF Holy Scripture az the only lntduiOie
rule Of faith and practice as suticlent 10
finally determine his faith This appeared
in his repeated refusa!s 10 affirm his talth
IN the Virgin birth OF Christ, the raising
Of Lazarus from the dead and the rais-
ing Of Christs own body from the
grave.
Second, IN answer TO questions he twice
declared his readiness TO lead a congrega-
tiOn in the repetition of the Apostle
Creed, including the phrase born OF the
Virgin Mary" which he had told the Pres
bytery that he really did not believe. 80
lamentable a declaration appears TO us TO
Indicate that his acceptance OF the conIes-
sion of faith is not Of the character re-
quired in all candidate for licensure.
Fourth. the General Assembly has direct
ed IT'S executive commission 10 make G!l-
gent inquiry as to whether the preSbyterleS
are observing the deliverance OF the As
sembly OF 1894, also whether the ueIIN-
erances OF 1876 and 1897 on the same
subject are being observed by the presoy
These deliveries all warn the pre.sbyteries
against the acceptance as Candidates LOT
the ministry Of students pursuing their
studies in institutions dlsapprOved by the
Assembly. Mr.. Thomas IS a student IN lHe
senior class al the Union Theological SEMI
nary. This licensure Is, therefore hheIy 10
bring the Presbytery into serious contlct
with our highest ecclesiastical authority
The clergymen signing the protest are
.F..ts f.rHs ara
engaged in other occupations or retired.
They are II. 3. Elliot, William s Hubbell,
John Fox John \. Lyle, Edward J. Hamil-
ton, J. Ford Sutton, Peter Il. Easton and
Daniel s. Gregory. The two elders are
George F. Ludlam. OF the Fourth Avenue
Presbyterian Church and Robert Abbott,
OF the Scotch Presbyterian Church
Unless they change their minds these
signeTs Of the protest Will not take the
matter Up on appeal. but will use the
privilege Of the rule 70 place their protest
on the records. A committee Of three was
sppointed 10 make formal reply to the pro-
test consisting of the Rev. DR.. George =.
Webster. Of the Church of the Covenant:
the Rev Or. William Adams. professor oI
systematic theology I'm Union Theological
Seminary, and Dr.. Henry Cole Smith, an
elder Of the Brick Church.
The Presbytery ordered Mr.. Thomas
ordination to take place on January ., In
the Brick Church. and these clergvmen
were chosen 10 of1ciate: The Rev. DT
Francis Brown. to preach the sermon; the
Rev. yelling 2. Thomas, father ~ the
candidate. Of Iouisburg. Penn. and the
Rev. DR.. George S. Webster, assistants at
the ceremony.