The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-25
PRESBYTERIANS AT
PEACE ON HERESY
Assembly Drops the Charges
Against New York, but Re-
affirms Virgin Birth.
LICENSES WILL REMAIN

CITY, May 24.-Tne Tor
midable attack on the New York Pres
bytery In the form Of t%wenty-six over
lures presented by nineteen Presbyterics.
led by the Presbytery of Cincinnati. was
disposed of by the Pr, sbyterian General
Assembly to-day with a veritable love
feast.
without a word ~ debate and by a
unanimous vote the assembly adopted
the report Of its committee on bills and
overtures. which presented an agreement
signed by leaders OF the New York
Presbytery, the Cincinnati P~resbytery
and others representing the most SON
sentative and most liberal t~heologtans
Of Presbyterianism. Tho agreements APP
pended to tho report. which were framed
as a result Of the conference. read as
follows:
whereas the records 81 the Freshly
terry OF New York how that on April
I. 1916, that P~resbytery licensed three
candidates for the ministry. which
neither affirmed nor denied the doctrine
OF the virgin birth, on tho following rec
om%mendation:
"'Noting that these candidates recog-
nized the critical difficulties In onncc-
ton with the doctrine OF the virgin
birth. but at the same time state that
their faith in this doctrine is OF a grow
ing character. n that they unquall-
iledly declare their faith In the pre-
existence and deity OF Our Lord. and all
the redemptive truth that is embodied
In His life. teaching and His sacrincial
DEATH and
'vVhereas II is admitted that by the
constitution Of the church each pres
bytery is the Judge of he Quallfica-
lions Of candidates for the ministry. but
hat such presbytery in licensing these
candidates should strictly observe the
declarations Of the Confession OF Faith
in doctrinal matters. the General As
eembly calls to attention Of presbyteries
the deliverance Of the General As
sembly Of 1910. which is as follows:
eft Is AZ essential doctrine OF the
word Of God and our standards that
the Holy Spirit lid so inspire. guide and
move the writer's Of the Holy Scripture
AS to keep them from error, that our
Lord Jesus Christ was born Of the Vir-
gin Mary. that Christ offered himself a
sacrifice TO satisfy divine justice and 10
reconcile us TO God that on the third
day He arose from the dead With the
same body with which He suffered. with
which He also assembled into Heaven n
there stitch at the right hand of His
Father. making intcrcession that Our
Lord Jesus Christ showed His power and
love by working mighty miracles. This
working was not contrary to nature,
but superior TO IT,
"Presbyteries are hereby en1oined not
to license or ordain any candidate fol-
the ministry whose views are not In
accordance with the del!verance Of 1910
"Th.s General Assembly renews ia
positive mandate with full expectation
Of loyal compliance by all our presby.
teries. directs that when a candidate ap'
pears who Is found to be not clear and
positive on any one Of the fundamental.
Of our faith his licensure be de-
ferred until such time as in the judg'
ment Of the presbytery he has become
So"
This D has been signed by rep.
resentatives OF many different phases OF
thought. and I earnestly urge its adop'
ton by the General Assembly, said tbs
Rev. DR.. ]. Ross Stevenson, chairman o.
the committee on bills and overtures.
The report was adopted by acclama'
ton, and as the commissioners rose with
a shout of approval some one started
'Blest Re the Tie That Binds" II was
sung with fervor. and at its conclusion
Moderator Marquis asked the Rev. Or
Ezra p. Newcomb. secretary OF the com
mission, to lead the assembly in q
prayer Of Thanksgiving. DR.. Newcomt
gave thanks that a way had been founc
"out OF difficulties which seemed over
whelming."
A moment later the 900 commissioner
gave expression to their enthusiasm b,
singing "All Hail the Power of Jesus
Name"
The big fight against the New Yorl
Presbytery was mad in the executive
commission and has continued for severa
days. The Presbytery OF Cincinnati let
tho attack. owing TO her drastic over
ture, which asked the General Assembly
to ''cut of from the Presbyterian Churcl
the Presbytery OF New York, if no otheI
methods will prevail" The Rev. DR.
william c. McKibbin. president of Lam
Theological Seminary. Cincinnati. ano
tho Rev. Frank II. Stevenson of Cincin
natl, who was sponsor for the Cincinnati
Presbytery's overture. led the attacking
forces.
The New York Presbytery was de
Tended by the Rev. DR.. II. f. Mendcn
hall, Moderator OF the New York Pres
bytery the Rev. A.. H.. Limouze, chair
man Of the committee on licensure an,
ordination of the New York Presbytery
and other prominent clergymen an
laymen of New York P~resbytery and tn
Union Theological Seminary,
A conference Of the contending fac
tons was arranged. as 1t was felt tina
a discussion OF the controversy upon III
floor Of the General Assembly woul
have a harmful effect upon the work o
the Church throughout the country. Ate