New Britain herald., 1925-05-27
DEFINITE BREAK
 APPEARS LIKELY hOderniStS Will Refuse to Sub-
 scribe to Virgin Edict PRESBYTERIANS AT ODDS

Makes Threat at Assembly Today
 Objection to Enforced Express
 sion of This Belief.
 Columbus, O.. May 27.-(AP)- A definite break in the Presbyterian church in the T.. S. Is imminent, modernists in the denomination general assembly In session here de- c.ared today.
 Split Is Threatened.
 The split will come, Dr. Henry Sloane Coffin. New York, represent Ing the decidedly liberal presbytery there. said, if the various prcsby- teries uphold action Of the assembly yesterday in voting that a literal &C., ceptance Of the Virgin birth Is nec- essary qualification of anyone who enters It's ministry.
 While the modernists made clear their position in this regard, today, tra-fundamentalists, through Dr. Clarence Edward Mccartney, former moderator and one of their leaders, asserted that the Flaw and authority Of the church will be upheld" If the New York presbytery continues to license ministers who do not accept in full all the creedsl and doc trinal beliefs of the church.
 Protests Ruling.
 A protest against the ruling of the judicial commission yesterday in holding that the New York presby- tery went against the law of the church In licensing ministers to preach who could not affirm belief in the virgin birth, was formally pre- sented to the assembly today by the Rev. Charles E. Swartz of Chicago. This, the church leaders pointed out, is in reality dissenting opinion Of the assembly itself, making a d. rect line of cleavage.
 50 Sign Petition.
 The protest was circulated among the commissioners for signature and 80 far some 50 had appended their names.
 It conceded entirely the licensing Of Henry r. Van Dusen, New York, who did not either affirm or deny acceptance of the theory of the vir- gin birth. Eight points are listed and the principal contention is that un- der the church law the presbytery Is the only judge of the qualifications of a minister.
 Chapter of Confession
 The holding of the commission, which became the judgment of the assembly by it's adoption, violates the confession of faith itself, the protest asserted. The following chapter of the confession was quot ed in substantiatlon: The requir- ing of an implicit faith and an ab- solute and blind obedience is to de- stroy liberty and conscience and reason also"
 By requiring such absolute con- formity," the protest said, 1t re- stores those Roman Catholic theo- ries of Sccesiastical authority which 1t was the very purpose of Presby- terian Protestantism 10 overthrow"
 Break fin Another Year
 While the modernists said that the appointment of a commission of Is yesterday 10 study the whole issue probably will avert the break for another year, pr. Coftin's statement avowed that If the Presbyteries approve the doctrine 1t would mean a break in the church. The great majority in the church does not want break.
 "We wanted 10 state our position and If it ever comes up in civil court that would be the basis of our case. [ hope 1t never comes to that"
 Dr. Mccartney said he thought wiser counsel would prevail in the Prebytcry of New York than was by the extraordinary and seemingly defiant actions of some of he New York commissioners yes .erday.
 Offered Statement
 should the Presbytery Of New r York continue in its unconstitutional course and defy the high court Of he church, then the laws and au- .hority of the Presbyterian church n the United States Of America will DC upheld.
 "Presbyterians have never been known as men who were intimidated | oy threats or who had not sufficient courage to vindicate the power Of heir government.
 "Open defiance of the general as sembly could have no other issue han the dissolution Of the Presby- cry Of New York"
 A resolution, written by William Jennings Bryan. protesting against ! gambling, was adopted by the as- ,embly today. I've urge our min i sters 10 preach against this alluring md dem6ralizirE vice, and we peti- !. ion our lawmakers to banish it by tatutes, state and national" the -csolution declared.