The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-18
Church Must Cling to
Old Faith or Con-
denim It.
HIGHER CRITICISM
HOTLY DENOUNCED
DR.. Hamilton Flags Paper Pope"
Campaign, but Only One Min
lister Comes to His Aid in
Defense of Ancient Tenets.
Argument at Times
Is Heated.
Especial TO The Times-Dispatchl I

New York. March 17.-"Thc Mctho-
dist Church has come to the parting
Of the ways" declared the Rev. jay
Benson Hamilton, ID. d, of Trinity
Church. Harlem. one OF the foremost
ministers of that faith. in condemning
the Paper Pope" campaign at meet
ing Of 500 Methodist ministers to day
at $50 Fifth Avenue.
Several weeks ago a book OF high
or criticism published by "A Methodist
book concern declared that the moro
advanced ministers looked upon the
Bible rs part fiction, part history. and
still another part Gods word. In CON
nection with criticism of the publica-
tion. several ministers declared that
the Paper Pope"-the Bible-would
have to he discredited in part az
they said the Pope Of Rome had been
by Martin Luther
Argument Is Heated.
The assertion that a ma ainrity OF
those present At to-da:'s meeting had
declared in favor Of the higher crit
icism and against the views held by
Dr. Hamilton. was made by many OF
those present Mt the meeting. The ar
Clersymcn from Boston. Philadelphia
and various points in New Jersey took
part In the discussion.
Rev. James Buckley. the weiI-known
Methodist leader, endeavoreh to recon
cilc the two factions. He cautioned
them to be moderate in their opinions.
and urged that neither extreme be
followed.
rs it asking too much that tho
standard of "a Christian minister as high
as q Wall Street broker. a lawyer, u
drummer asked DIR. Hamilton, read
ing from his address. "If a man ac-
cepts Christian training in Christian
schools, is ordained to minister the
holy Office, IL he receives honors, priv
ileges and big pay. and If then he
privately and publicly Expresses dis
belief In the doctrines of the church
that educated him: il he goes farther
and uses his exalted position TO un-
derminc and overthrow the faith he
sworc TO defend. he is totally desti-
tute Of the high sense of honor that
characterizes every reputable man OF
the world And what adds to the enor-
nifty of the conduct is that he fully
realizes what ruinous results must
follow
DR.. Hamilton quoted the Methodist
law TO support his assertion that any
one who did not accept the whole OF
the Bible was guilty OF personal privi-
liberty while they remain Methodists
Apart from the appointed speaker.
Dr. Hamilton. only ono man came to
the defense Of the old faith. He was
the Rev. w. Waldo Weller, of Long
Island.
Discussion of "Pnper Pope"
The open discussion over the Paper
Pope" began fortnight ago at
Methodist conference held at Atlantic
City, when the Rev. George r. Mains
ID. D., one of the agents or the Metho-
dist Book Concern. was indirectly crit
iciZed. Last week Or. Mains stated his
position at meeting of the ministers
in New York. His assertions We're re-
piled TO to-day by DIR. Hamilton.
Dr. Hamilton gave special empha sis
TO the story of Jonah and the whale
to the story of Daniel in the lions den.
much attacked by the critics: to the
Pcntatcuch. a veritable storm centre.
and to the Psalms. He then asked
whether Christ knew what He preached
or whether He was deceived He said
to ask tho question was to answer it.
Until the. questions are settled, DR..
Hamilton said, they should he with
held from the Sunday school publica-
tons read by children.