New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-06

The Apostles Examination.
Tho Rev. William y. Merrill. Of the
Brick Presbyterian Church. Fifth Ave
nue. and Thirty-scventh Street has
written OF an examination Of candi-
dates for the ministry by presbytery
he names the Presbytery of New An
,ioch in the current issue Of "The Con-
tinent" the national Presbyterian
weekly. Or. Merrill seeks to make the
examination Of SIS. Mark, Peter John
and Paul to parallel the examination
If the three candidates for the min
istrv by the Presbytery Of New YORK
should they be licensed?' Dr. Mer-
rill asks. q,
"The Presbytery Of New Antioch
he continues. "was meeting TO examine
candidates for licensure.
"Mr. Moderator said the chairman
of tho committee on examination, we
nresent foui candidates Of unusual
nromise. The statements they have
submitted are. without exception, the
most interesting and satisfactory we
have ever seen.
"'The first candidate is named John
Mark. The statement he presents deals
entirely with what he believes and
knows about Jesus Christ. He asserts
positively, as do all Jour Of them his
faith in the deity Of Jesus Christ and
IN the mower of His redeeming grace.
Statements Approved.
"'The second candidate is named
Simon Peter. His statement Of belief
is composed Of extracts from sermons
published originally in a book called
THE Acts of the Apostles') and Ger
tain letters written to set forth ms
faith No one reading these statements
can doubt his fervent evangehcal posi-
ton.
1.-THE next candidate is i'm many
wavs the most interesting or them all
His name is Paul. As he had ms UNI
versity training in secular lhstlIu-
ton and his theological education I'D
school viewed with suspicion by Or
thodox Christians we examined ms
statements with extreme care. But we
have never seen so complete sa1is
factoyv and positive a statement OF
Christian faith as this when BE pre-
cents i'm the form Of thirteen letters.
1.-THE fourth and last candidate rs
named John. His statement l5 very
wonderful. II is contained m pro
found narrative and estimate OF tie
person of Jesus Christ and IN certain
letters. This statement is conspicuous
for lofty thought and fervent faith IN
Christ as the Son of God and the
giver Of eternal life.
owe do not hesitate, on the basis
Of these written statements. to recon
mend heartily that the presbytery n
cense these four men TO preach the
Gospel
Virgin Birth Omitted.
"a motion was made and seconded
that the Prcsbytery license the candl-
dates. NJ
Then arose a member Of The Presoy-
terry. Mr.. Moderator said me- these
statements are admirable, SO Tar as
they 20. But I note one very impor.
tant and significant omission IN all OF
them. John MARX turning TO the
first OF the four candidates, you say
nothing whatever about the great
Christian doctrine, or fact, OF the VIZ
gin birth of our Lord. Does that mean
that YOU deny that doctrine or fact"
No was the answer i SIMPLY 90
not AFFIRM il. ] believe with all my
soul that Jesus is the Son of God, but
did not think it necessary, IN stating
INV Christian faith, to affirm that ne
was born Of virgin.
"'Simon Peter, Paul and John, do you
take the same position
"'Ycs.' each answered. q do not
deny the fact of the virgin birth, but
neither do l think it necessary TO at
firm it as part Of my statement OF
Christian faith
Omission Not Denial.
"'Mr. Moderator said the questioner,
with great reluctance ] must assert
that cannot vote 20 license candidates
who do not affirm their positive belief
i'm the vital doctrines Of the virgin
birth Of our Lord, and. II the Pres
bytery should vote 10 license them,
must offer a protest
There being no further discussion,
the motion was carried, and the candi-
dates were licensed by a vote nearly
unanimous. the most conservative
members Of the body voting heartily to
admit them. But the one objector pre-
sented a protest, which conveyed the
impression that these four candidates
had denied. or refused 90 affirm, this
particular doctrine. The church at
large. not knowing the full facts. was
excited. one presbytery even assert
ing that the General Assembly disci-
pine Of the presbytery of New Anti
och for licensing candidates who held
dangerous and unsound views.
us the Presbyterian Church in the
United States Of America going TO in
sist on a standard Of licensure that
would shut out the evangelist Mark
and the apostles Peter, Paul and John,
If they applied for admission on the
basis OF their writings in the New