794
THE KING ' S BUSINESS
te_aching that was being permitted by the New York Presbytery in the First Presbyterian Church, together with ten other similar overtures from as ;many additional Presbyteries. The matter was referred to the Committee on Bills and Overtures con– sisting of twenty-two men, with Dr. Hugh K. Walker, as chairman. Tw'enty– one members of the committee signed a majority report (which report was characterized by Dr. Clarence A. Macartney as a "masterpiece of white– wash"), leaving one member, Dr. A. Gordon MacLennan, pastor of the Bethany Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia (the "Wanamaker" church) to present a minority report. Dr. Walker, after reading the majority report, moved that discussion be limited to ten minute speeches, with a fifteen minute summary at the conclusion of the argument, which motion was adopted. Dr. MacLennan, in presenting the minority report, said: "I glory today In being known as a Fundamentalist, if that term implies that my belief is sound on the fundamental doctrines of the church. "The majority report postpones all action for a year. In that time, the church can be torn and broken. I take it for granted that the New York Presbytery wants the fundamental doctrines of the church proclaimed from all the pulpits witbin Its jurisdiction. If it is sincere and honest, it will appreciate having the authority of this General Assembly to Investigate any one of its member churches. "The majority report is a beautifully phrased expression ~f generalities. Will not the majority re-affirm the five essential doctrines as handed down by the Gen– eral Assembly in 1910? Will you not stand four square on the Virgin Birth? "Let us be definite in our utterances. As a young man in the ministry I know I run the risk of being branded for taking this stand, but I can bear the brand of such men. I fear God, not men." The full text of the minority report brought in by Dr. MacLennan is as follows: The 135th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the U. S. A., in answer to the petition of the overture presented by the Presbytery or Philadel– phia, regarding the proclamation of the Word in the pulpit of the First Presby– terian Church of New York City, expresses its profound sorrow that doctrines contrary to the standards of the Presbyterian Church proclaimed in said pulpit have been the cause of controversy and division in our church; and therefore would direct the Presbytery of New York to take such action, either through Its present committee or by the appointment of a special commission, as will require the preaching and teaching in the First Presbyterian Church of New York, to conform to the system of doctrine taught in the Confession of Faith; and that said presbytery report its action in a full transcript of its records to the 135th General Assembly of 1924. Furthermore, the General Assembly calls the attention of the presbyteries to the deliverance of the General Assembly of 1910 which deliverance is hereby reaffirmed and which Is as follows: It Is an essential doctrine of the Word of God and our Standards that the Holy Spirit did so inspire, guide and move the writers of Holy Scripture as to keep them from error. It Is an essential doctrine of the Word of God and our Standards that our Lord Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary.
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs