Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1924-07-19

ion on thu committees report. Rev.
Bowling was insistent that the confer
ence hear his side in detail before act
ing on the findings of the committee.
A dozen or more members were on the
floor clamoring recognition from the
chair. The chairman Rev. G. r. Malloy,
declared the time had expired. A mo-
ton for extension of time was carried
and the discussion to hear or not to
hear Rev. Bowling further proceeded
until the extended time was nearly
out. Rev. Malloy ruled every member
on the floor out of order and called for
a vote on the motion for action On the
committees report.
Seeing the meeting was about to adj
journ before he could be heard regard
ing his sermon, Rev. Bowling rose to
point of personal privilege. He invited
all the ministers who desired to hear
him to remain after the adjournment
of the conferences The vote on the con,
mittee's report was taken and carried
some amid confusion.
ONLY A FEW LEAVE BUILDING
ssss&sss1 s5asa.ssa =. ~ 81
Only few members left the church.
practically all desiring to hear Rev.
Bowling's side, in spite Of the result OF
the vote on the committees report.
Proceeding to the front with his suit
case of authorities, Rev. Bowling
spread the volumes out before him and
proceeded to read citation after cita.
ton in support Of assertions made hy
him in the protested sermon. For mere
than an hour the ministers listened -
him. sone accenting, Amen; While 9th
ers respectfully, but audihiy cypress
ing disagreement. At no time did he
sidestep or recant not even whel Rev.
E. E. Smith, associate pastor of Zion
Baptist Church, Portsmouth, asked him
pointedly if he still held TO the asser!'
ions made in his sermon, the printed
copy of which Rev Bowling held in his
hand.
Most Of the mini tiers appeared II &
mood to accept the correctness of the
citations offered, but none of them APP
peared willing to asree that historical
errors, delcetions, inclusions, or differ
ences of translations in different veIs-
ions of the Bible mitigated againis -
infallibility.
Rev. Bowling reaffirmed his rever-
ence for the Bible and upheld it's great
virtues and saving power, but contend
ed that it was no longer necessary to
contend for it's infallibility in every
single scTiptural assertion to comnel
men to recognize it's true worth. He
said knowledge is advancing and the
ministry must advance to meet the sit
uation as is constantly being presented
by the modern teachings in schools, co,
leges and seminaries.
Among the body of ministers the
questions seemed not to be whether
there was merit in the higher criti-
cisms Of the Bib'e, but whether or not
it was advisable for ministers TO dis
cusg these things from the pulpit. hold
ing that the effect on the masses might
prove a detriment instead Of benefit.
All held that the Baptist cannons call
for absolute belief in the Bibles infalli
bilitv as the Word of God, and assert
ed that when a Baptist minister publ
cally expresses a doubt in single scrip
tural assertion he is guilty Of heresy.
ARGUES FOR SPIRITUAL SERMONS
-.:>>-.re;-,s. 'r'.r =, ~: .' ittsssi4a
Rev. E. E Smith a member Of the
committee reporting it's findings to
the body, argued strongly for fervent
spiritual gospel without what he call
ed unnecessary reference has not been
ascertained. 1t Biblical errors or mac
curracies. On this stand he had the al
most unanimous support Of the body.
Just what action will follow Mon.
days meeting by the conference has not
been ascertained. 1t is probable how
ever that the matter will engage the
attention of future meeting.