The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-09
oRESBYTERY SPLITS
ON VISIBILITY OF GOD
Weakness Of Union Graduate on
MoScs's Actual View Raises
Storm Of Protest.
TWO CANDIDATES. OPPOSED
Proposition to Build 500. 900
Negro Church in Harlem
Also Bitterly Fought.

Inc New York Presbytery. az has hap
percd many times before, was a storm
centre at its late spring meeting yester-
day over charges OF heresy and unsound
faith and protests against the ordination
oi Union Seminary candidates After two
hours wranglng further answers to pro-
tests were entrusted to a committee. The
two men around whose reception as min
,s,ers the storm ragged were Charles Hall
Wcks, q Cornell graduate before COM
ing to Union. and James NJ. Howard, a
Yale man Both were examined at tho
April meeting Of the Presbytery, accepted
and their ordination as Presbyterian min
is,crs ordered.
The Rev Dr. John Fox made the April
protest, and It was replied to yesterday
by committee. The reply was said TO
have been prepared by the Rev. pr
George Alexander. Immediately there was
u reply TO the answer. and a further
answer to this reply will be made at the
mll meeting
Mr. Howard who comes from Montclair
was asked during his examination for
ordination whether he believed that Moses
= saw God on the mount. The young man
from Montclair pitted 81. Johns state
ment against that of Exodus: NO man
hath seen God at any time" Asked
whether he bellved that Moses got
the pattern for the tabernacle from God
direct Mr.. Howard said he would not
commit himself to so mechanical view
~ Inspiration. To do 30, he said. was
70 put the bible on a level with Islam's
view Of the inspiration of the Koran and
riahs view Of the book OF Mormon.
When Mr. Wicks, who comes from Co
rors was asked II he believed the Virgin
birth he replied that he would probably
and no occasion to preach II, since mo-
body nowadays preached sermons on such
subjects lie added later that he was
more than ever inclined to believe IT," on
the theory that the sinlessness OF Christ
vas stronger proof Of the Virgin birth
than any New Testament statement.
The new protest to their ordination was
based on the charge that the Presbytery
committee had examined the candidates
privately instead OF I'm open Presbytery,
where opportunity would have been given
10 ask them questions.
Union Seminary Is not In official rela-
lion with the Presbyterian Church and a
committee OF the Presbyterian General
Assembly In preparing to sue the seminary
70 compel IL TO give up part OF Its
endowments on the ground that II does
not teach the doctrines required to be
taught by the donors.
The negro question threatened. In a
bitterness. st. James's Presbyterian
,hurch for colored people, in Fifty-nrst
street near Ninth avenue. is selling its
property for $4,000 because negroes have
left that community. The argument grew
out OF the desire of the Presbyterian
Church extension leaders to give st.
Jamess an additional $4,000 out Of the
John $ Kennedy fund and. with $4,000.
10 build IA handsome Presbyterian church
FOR colOred people In Harlem
The opposition charged that there were
but 2S000 negroes In Harlem; that there
already were seven colored churches there,
besides eleven other preaching places
that negroes were migratory and that
there was no reason in giving so much
money 10 negroes when white churches
need II So badly
The strongest opposition came from
the Church Of the Puritans. Colored real
estate dealers were present. The Rev. DIR.
Wilton Smith said II Is not Ques-
ton OF Presbyterians dealing IN real
estate but whether they are to preach the
gospel TO those who need II. The matter
finally was referred back to the extension
committee.