REPORTED FOR THE NEW YORK OBSERVER, BY MR. STANSBURY, OF WASHINGTON, D. C. CINCINNATI: PUBLISHED BY ELI TAYLOR. Gift of Dexter, (1.C. 185-8) Geo For this full and impartial report of the most interesting ecclesiastical trial which ever occurred in this country, the public are indebted to the enterprise of the Messrs. Morses, editors and publishers of the New York Observer. At great expense they procured the attendance of Mr. Stansbury, whose reputation as a fair and able reporter is unrivalled in the United States. As this trial occurred in the west, and will be likely to have an important bearing on the interests of the Presbyterian church in the great valley, it was thought desirable to publish the report in a neat pamphlet, by which it would be more accessible, and more permanent than in the columns of a newspaper. The reader will perceive that the controversy is purely theological. The accused and accuser, have no personal contention. It is therefore hoped that this pamphlet, while it throws light on subjects of vast interest to the Presbyterian church, will furnish no just occasion for revilers to heap odium upon religion. If it paves the way for a happy and speedy termination of dissentions in one branch of the church, and brings ministers and private members into more harmonious cooperation for the salvation of souls, those who have contributed to its enlarged circulation, will unfeignedly rejoice. It is commended to the patient and candid attention of the christian community, and to the blessing of the Great Head of the church. TRIAL. Ministers-J. L. Wilson, D. D., Lyman Beecher, D. D.*, Andrew S. Morrison, Daniel Hayden, Francis Monfort, Thos. J. Biggs†, J. L. Gaines, Sayres Gasley, Benjamin Graves (Clerk), Artemas Bullard, John Spaulding, F. Y. Vail, Thos. Brainerd, A. T. Rankin, Calvin E. Stowe‡ (Moderator), Augustus Pomroy, George Beecher, Adrian L. Aton, E. Slack. Ruling Elders-William Skillinger, J. G. Burnet, Adam S. Walker, Simon Hageman, Peter H. Kemper, Andrew Harvey, William Cumback, Robert Porter, John Archard, Henry Hageman, A. B. Andrews, Israel Brown, Bryce R. Blair, Wm. Carey. The Presbytery was constituted with prayer: when a sermon was delivered by the Rev. Calvin Stowe, from Phil. iii. 16. Whereunto we have attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.' The Rev. Dr. Wilson had, at a previous meeting of Presbytery, brought forward certain charges against the Rev. Dr. Beecher, and the present meeting had been appointed to consider and issue the accusations; citations had been issued, and the requisite steps taken to prepare the case for trial. The charges were then read as follows: CHARGES OF WILSON VS. BEECHER. 6 sion, because, it was said, I had no right to protest in a case, in which I had no right to vote. Afterwards it was seen by publications, in different periodicals, that the soundness of Dr. Beecher's theology was called in question, and this Presbytery was called upon to take up charges against him on the ground of general rumor. But the common fame was denied to exist and the call was unheard. Subsequently_the sermon of Dr. Beecher on Dependence and Free Agency' was circulated and highly commended.This Presbytery was then called upon to appoint a committee to examine some of the Doctor's sermons and report whether they contained doctrines at variance with the standards of our church. This call was disregarded also. Complaint was made to the synod of Cincinnati, and they said the presbytery could not be compelled to take up charges, only by a responsible prosecutor. Being more and more grieved last General Assembly. This appeal was cast out by and alarmed, I carried the matter up by appeal to the the judicial committee, because, it was said, that I was not one of the original parties. Had I called my appeal a complaint, it would have been tried. Two facts have made this subject recently flagrant: 1. The public commendation of Dr. Beecher's theology by perfectionists. 2. Some of the perfectionists have been inmates of Lane Seminary. Beecher has contributed greatly to the propagation of In view of these things, and believing that Dr. dangerous doctrines, I feel it my duty to bring charges against him before this presbytery. 1. I charge Dr. Beecher with propagating doctrines To the Moderator and Members of the board of the Presbytery of contrary to the word of God and the standards of the Presbyterian church on the subject of the depraved nature of man. Cincinnati: Dear Brethren, It is known to the trustees of Lane Seminary, and to some of the members of Presbytery, that after the appointment of the Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D. to the professorship which he now holds, in that institution, I more than once expressed an opinion that he would not accept of the appointment, because, as I thought, he could not, consistently with his views in theology, adopt the standards of the Presbyterian church. My opinion of Dr. Beecher's theology was then founded on my recollection of a conversation held with him in 1817, and his sermon published in 1827, entitled The Native Character of Man.' When I heard that Dr. Beecher had entered the Presbyterian church, without adopting her standards, I was surprised, grieved and alarmed. When he was received by the Presbytery of Cincinnati from the 3d Presbytery of New York, I was in the Moderator's chair, and was denied the privilege of protesting against his admis *Professor of Theology Specifications.-The scriptures and our standards teach on the subject of a depraved nature, 1. That a corrupted nature is conveyed to all the posterity of Adam, descending from him by ordinary generation. 2. That from original corruption all actual transgressions proceed. 3. That all the natural descendants of Adam are conceived and born in sin. 4. That original sin binds the descendants of Adam over to the wrath of God. 5. That the fall of Adam brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, so as we are by nature children of wrath and bound slaves to satan. Con. F., ch. vi., sec. 3, 4, 6. Larg. Cat. Ans. to Q. 26, 27. Vide scrip. proofs, and short. cat. A. to Q. 18. + Professor of Ecclesiastical History In opposition to this, Dr. Beecher teaches, 1. That the depravity of man is voluntary. |