Lithe FREE PRESS II

liTHE FREE PRESS II

VOL I-No.8 1630 S. Hanover St., Baltimore 30, Md. May 4, 1956 The Meeting in St. Louis "Catholic, Visible Church" The meeting which was held in St. used as pressure against brethren. The The Form of Government of the Louis will go down in the history of the meeting in St. Louis has illustrated just Bible Presbyterian Church, Chapter 2, Bible Presbyterian movement as a tragedy how men, when they are stirred with deep "Of the Church," says, in paragraph 1, and a disgrace to the name of Presbyte emotion, can go beyond the protective "Jesus Christ, who is now exalted far rianism. bounds of 'constitutions. History is full of such transgressions. above all principality and power, has 1. erected, in this world, a visible body First, the Synod should be called a Another act of lawlessness had to do which is His Church." "lawless" Synod. This lawlessness was with the Presbytery of New Jersey. A manifest particularly in the adoption of call for a pro re naitil'nutil}g to be held in Paragraph 4 reads, "The Bible Pres the resolution against the Committee for St. Louis was issued by the stated clerk Tru~ Presbyterianism. The constitution and sent by him to all the members of the byterian Church declares itself to be a gives no such authority, and this mandate, Presbytery. According to the constitution branch of the catholic visible Church of as it is properly called, parallels in the of the denomination, a request for a pro Christ and further declares its willingness strangest fashion the mandate of the Gen re nata meeting must be submitted first to hold Christian fellowship with all to the moderator who is to handle the eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church other such branches of the Church." in the U.S.A. against the Independent same, and, in case he is dead, absent, or Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions (Continued on page 2) One way, the i'Pportant way, in which of 1934. Synod, under the constitution, the Bible Presbyterian Church expressed cannot instruct any committee to initiate this willingness for such fellowship was judicial processes. In fact, Synod has ACTION OF SYNOD RELATIVE TO become, through its committee, the pro through the American Council of Chris secuting committee against brethren in ACCC AND ICCC tian Churches in the United States, and through the International Council of the Synod; and, if such cases should be OVERTURE ON THE AMERICAN COUNCIL initiated, then the Synod itself becomes OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES Christian Churches thrOUb.10ut the world. the final judge, for it is the final court of In the IeCC the Bi!JL Presbyterian appeal. A clion: Reaffirming its position on the Church was in fellowship with 56 other Actually, as Dr. Machen pointed out purity of the visible Church and its posi branches of the "catholic visible Church in the case of the General Assembly of the tion on separation from Modernism and of Christ." This tie has now been broken Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., it has inclusivism, the Nineteenth General Syn and the Bible Presbyterian Church stand~ prejudged the case before it has heard od of the Bible Presbyterian Church, find alone. it, declared men guilty before tried I The ing sufficient cause for dissatisfaction in Did it have Scriptural reasons for its General Synod of 1956 has prejudged the its representation by the American Coun cil of Christian Churches, hereby termi action? If so, it did not so state them. case in issuing instructions against the of The action in withdrawing from the ficers of the Committee for True Presbv nates the power of that agency to repre- ACCC and ICCC does not specify any terianism. How could such a Synod ever . sent said denomination, and directs the reasons. In view of this provision of the as a judge hear cases it authorizes as the Stated Clerk of this Synod to give im constitution, it surely was incumb~nt upon prosecutor? . This is lawlesness of the mediate notification of this action to the the Synod to make clear its reasons in same order, type, and tyranny that the American Council of Christian Churches. giving a testimony of withdrawing from Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. mani OVERTURE ON THE INTERNATIONAL such an organization as the International fested in 1934. Dr. Machen refused to COUNCIL OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES Council of Christian Churches. obey the deliverance of the 1934 General Assembly and every member of the Com Action: Reaffirming its position on the Serious harm and injury has been done mittee for True Presbyterianism should purity of the visible Church and its posi to the whole cause of Christ and to the defy, refuse to obey, and refuse in any way tion on separation from Modernism and "catholic visible Church." The action of to recognize or to meet with this com inclusivism, the Nineteenth General the Bible Presbyterian Synod has injured mittee which has been set up unlawfully Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church, the groups with which the church was by the Synod meeting in St. Louis. finding sufficient cause for dissatisfaction in its representation by the International previously in fellowship. If there were . no questions in th~ _Council of Christian Churches, hereby minds of people about the propriety of terminates the power of that agency to Individual churches are still free to such a Synod, and the Synod were a duly represent said denomination, and directs gi~e the expression of fellowship and faith called, properly recognized Synod by the Stated Clerk of this Synod to give With other churches in the ACCC and everyone, these actions would still remain immediate notification of this action to ICCe. Thank God, this spirit of unlawful and in violation of the consti the International Council of Christian brotherly love, Christian co.operation tution of the church. Ecclesiastical pres Churches. does still exist in the church and can b~ sure in the name of judicial cases is here expressed for Christ's glory .

...... Page 2 THE rREE PRESS May 4, 1956

Press (Vol. I, No.4), to a false concept The Meeting in St. Louis of Presbyterianism by advocating non-at AMinister WrHes (Continued from page 1) tendance at a prop< rly called General Syn The Rev. W. B. Goebel, Kannapolis, unable to act, the stated clerk is author od of the Church." TLere was a sincere N. c., wrote a letter to Dr. Carl McIn question concerning the propriety of the ized to proceed. The call which was sent tire after the meeting of the Synod as fol "call." Synod arbitral ily insists tha tits out to the Presbytery was never submitted lows: to the moderator. He did not even know "call" was proper ~nd then Ilses this as a it existed until' he was notified along with basis for instructions to a rommittee to "Dear Brother McIntire: initiate judicial ca!.es 2./!ainst the men if the other members of the Presbytery. "After serving many years service in the committee thinks necess2ry. This IS An earlier proposed call was submitted real willfulness. the ministry of the Southern Presbyterian to the moderator, but, before he acted on Church I came out of it not only because it, it was abandoned and another call The Synod, meeting in St. Louis, was of tnodernism but also because of the dic called by one man, the moderator. An signed by the same individuals was re tatorial powers of the men who had con effort was made to get the moderator to quested to be made and this is the one the trol of the agencies of the denomination. stated clerk, usurping the ?.uth ority of the ca.1I the meeting when all parties could moderator, proceeded to handle. sit down without any questions of pro "Now our Synod has brought about priety. This failed. The unity ~nd the the same conditions that exi-sted in the old The moderator informed the Presby peace of the church involves the whole church, and th"e whole thing. is of the tery that when it meets he wi ll rule such church, not just the activity of a m&jority. a pro re nata meeting ill, a[ and uncon I t involves the welfare of the majority 'Bt'sh,' and I am against their every ac stitutional. and the minority together. And the ron tion. I shall continue to stand for our in The moderator has not yet ruled cern for the peace and the unity of the dt'pendent agencies, and under a separate in the Presbytery meeting so that the Pres church by the group in St. Louis should cover I am applying for membership in bytery of New Jersey could decide on the have involved a desire to have a merting the Councils. legality of the moderator's ruling. But, when all the brethren could sit down to "Y-ou have done a weat work for our because the stated clerk was present at gether, discuss questions, problems, and blessed Lord, and you have my sympathy the Synod, he brought the whole question seek to find, if possible, come agreeablt and prayers. May the blessings of God before the Synod on his own responsibility. solution under the guidance of the Holy rest upon you and your labors and in some The Presbytery was not notified, the mod Spirit. The St. Louis Synod represented manner overcome the injustice that has erator of the Presbytery was not notified, a "majority," with very few from the been done to you and our cause." was not there, and the Synod proceeded minority side represented, and it pro to rule that the meeting was perfectly ceeded to go ahead in great strength to legal and proper even though the consti accomplish the purpose of the majority which, if its terms ar~ not satisfied for tutional provision that the notice be han present without due respect to the "minor what they consider to be peace, then dled by the moderator was not fulfilled. ity" in the church. This is definitely in judicial processes shall be initiated as they Synod decided on a matter which has not the realm of willfulness. think necessary. yet come before the Presbytery and which is a matter for the Presbytery itself to 3. The Bible Presbyterian Church is go irtg down to great disaster and if .the decided before Synod could consider it. Third, the meeting in St. Louis wilL brethren who are responsible for these This is lawlessness on the part of the go down in history as a "tragic" Synod. deeds are not willing to turn around, to Synod-completely by-passing a Presbytery, It was said that the meeting there would back up, they are going to find, we are its responsibility and privilege under the solve the . problems. It has solved virtu afraid, that the common man in the pew constitution. Now if the Presbytery sus ally nothing. In fact, it has made things who loves the Lord is going to forsake tained the ruling of the moderator that the considerably worse and complicated the them and find fellow~hip in some other pro re nata meeting was not legal and its fold. minutes could not be honored in the Pres situation of many f the men who at bytery, then a complaint could properly tended. The action in withdrawing from Are all these extreme actions, unlawful be taken to the General Synod for orderly the International Council of Christian actions, willful actions, tragic actions de decision. But operating as the Synod did Churches and the American Council of signed simply to force the minority out of the church? If that is what they have in &t. Louis, it is not necessary to have Christian Churches was precipitous and complaints, or for parties to be given been designed to do, they have failed. The notice of hearings, or anything of the kind. was a tragedy, and the consequences of it constitution of the church protects the Synod can automatically, at its own dis will plague the Bible Presbyterian minis minority. The minority has not trans cretion, reach into any Presbytery, if' ters as long as they live, regardless of gressed the constitution of the church. someone raises some question, and give what may become of them. Also, churches At least, what is now considered the i decision without the opposite part!ies are weary of fighting, desire peace, and minority appears to be rapidly becoming a majority, in church after church, even knowing that such a matter is being a number are considering withdrawing, considered. This is lawlessness in the throughout the denomination. The posi that they might have peace to preach the church. tions taken by Dr. Holdcroft, Dr. McIn Gospel and to be free from such conflict. tire, Dr. MacRae, and others are clearly 2. Someone somewhere should call a halt being vindicated by the extremes to Second, the meeting in St. Louis will to this and brethren should be ready and which the brethren opposing them have go down in history as a "willful" Synod. willing to sit Jown as brethren, in a spirit gone. The church must be saved, it must This willfulness perhaps is best illustrated of prayer, patience, tenderness, grace, and be preserved and brought back in genuine in the paragraph in the Mandate of 1956 deal with one another and not demand, in sorrow and repentance for what has been which says, "Some on this Committee are the authority and the name of the church, done in the name of our Lord, the Head committed, by the publication of The Free that men shall meet with a committee, of the Church. May 4, 1956 THE FREE PRESS Page 3 Bible Presbyterian Church Rejection of Ieee Repudiation of ACCC The withdrawal of tht: St. Louis The American Council of Christian group from the International Council of Churches, which the Bible Presbyterian Association Christian Churches is, perhaps, its most Church helped found and in which it has "The Bible Presbyterian Church As disastrous act, for, since 19.J.8, groups, had a leading place of responsibility sociation shall consist of presbyteries, standing for the purity of the church and through the years, was repudiated by the churches, ministers, and individual mem the testimony of separation from mod Synod in St. Louis. The Synod formally bers of local churches in the Bible Pres ernism and apostasy, have been glthered withdrew from the ACCe. This is the byterian Synod and Bible Presbyterian together in every section of the world. fulfillment of a threat made by Donald Churches, Unaffiliated. Bible Presbyterian leadershio has contrib McNair in Memphis in 1954. "The purpose of this Association shall uted to the organization 0-£ this world wide fellowship. Regional and local The 1955 Synod in St. Louis asked be to maintain constituent membership in the American Council to do certain things both the American Council of Christian groups have been formed in countries and continents. There is the Latin American and at the latest meeting of the American Churches and the International Council of Council in Grand Rapids every request Christian Churches. This Association ac- Alliance of Christian Churches, the Far Eastern Council pf Christian Churches, made by th , Bible Presbyterians was e cepts and approves the Preamble and the Scandinavian Evangelical Alliance, either granted or implemented as far as Doctrinal Statement of the constitutions possible under the constitution. of the American Council of Christian the Canadian Evangelical Protestant Churches and the International Council Council, the Middle East Bible Couhcil, of Christian Churches, and all members and recently the Australian Council of activity has been carried on without the of the Association shall approve of the the ICCe. Much hard work, travel, and knowledge of Dr. McIntire or others in same in writing. patience in dealing with hrethren have the ICCe. At Synod, it was learned that • brought together these fellowships he had written a very lengthy letter, a "Th,. Association shall seek to pro- throughout the world, and the two lead report, back in August of 1955. This had mote and support in every way possible ers who are presidents in this movement, been mimeographed and had been in the the position, principles, and testimony of one in the field of the Council and the hands of a number of brethren, but Dr. the American Council 0 f Christian other in the field of missions, are Dr. McIntire and others connected with the Churches and the International Council Cad Mcintire and Dr. J. Gordon Hold International Council had not seen it and of Christian Churches. croft. The action of the Bible Presbyte did not know that it was in circulation. "This Association shall select dele rian Church is already being used as in gates to these Councils in the manner to dicated by the Evetling Bulletit!' s article Dr. McIntire was with a team of be determined by the Association and the to hurt the cause and to bring aid and eight ICCC Llders who recently toured Association shall meet upon its own ad comfort to the World Council and N a Australia f or 16 days and in all the journment. Dr. J. Gordon Holdcroft, the tional Council of Churches. ICCC's history nothing received quite the Rev. Robert DuVall, the Rev. George W. Man after man in the Bible Presbyte attention that this tri1) did. A continent Fincke, and Dr. Carl Mcintire constitute rian Church has repeatedly affirmed that was reached with the issues of the apos the original committee to act in the furth he was 100 per cent for the ICCC and tasy, the purity of the church, and the erance of this Association." also the ACCe. It has been under the presence of communists who have infil leadership of Francis Schaeffer that much trated the Central Committee of the The above statement was read pub World Council of Churches. Now all of licly in a Bible Presbyterian rally held in dissatisfaction over the ICCC has been spread among the ministers, particularly this is to have cast over it the shadow of the Collingswood Church on Friday night, the St. Louis action. April 13, 1955. It is the full statement in the Bible Presbyterian Church. His concerning the formation of the Associa tion to be th.e means by which Bible Pres FOR INDIVIDUAL BIBLE PRESBYTERIANS American Council and International byterian churches and ministers will con WHOSE CHURCH DOES NOT UNITE Council of Christian Churches in the tinue in the ACCC and ICCe. Bible Presbyterian Church Association. WITH THE BIBLE PRESBYTERIAN There are no fees. It is purely a volun CHURCH ASSOCIATION~ tary association for this specific purpose. Application Form I desire to be a member of the Bible The Association is primarily for those Presbyterian Church Association for the who are in the Bible Presbyterian denomi For Individual Membership in purpose of affiliation with the American nation, though it does include Independ Council of Christian Churches and the In ent Presbyterian and Bible Presbyterian Bible Presbyterian Church ternational Council of Christian Church Churches, Unaffiliated. Association es. I approve of the Doctrinal Statement and the Preamble of both of the Councils. Forms have been prepared for affili ation with the Bible Presbyterian Church NAME ...... • .••••.••••••••••••. Association. These concern local churches AnDRESS Love not the world, neither the. things to be filled out by Sessions, individual pas that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not tors, and individual church members. The in him. For all that is in the world, form for individual church members who LOCAL CHURCH ...••••...•.. .. .•.•. the lust of the flesh, and the lust of are in churches which have not affiliated the eyes, and the pride of life, is not Any Bible Preshyterian who is in uch of the Father, but is of the world. with the American Council of Christian a church may, by the signing of this and And the world passeth away, and the Churches and the International Council of lust the-reot; but he that doeth the will the mailing of it to Box 218, Collings of God abideth forever.-1 John 2:15- Christian Churches is as follows: wood 7, N. J., be enrolled as a part of tht' 17. Page 4 THE FREE PRESS May 4, 1956 Mcintire Receives Official Special Committee to Deal With Officers of Committee for True Presbyterianism Communication From Synod The action of the St. Louis Synod rel or individual acts in a church without In an envelope marked " Personal," ative to the Committee for True Presby "deliberate affront" to our church. postmarked Boone, N. C., April 13, terianism need to be carefully understood by every Bible Presbyterian. This type of language partakes of the 1956, 11.30 a.m., the Rev. Carl McIn well-known language of the Synod of tire, D.D., pastor of the Bible Presbyte A paragraph which actually. appears 1954 when Dr. Rayburn brought in his rian Church of Collingswood, N. J., re in the resolution as adopted by the Synod report charging the executive committee ceived the following communication from was omitted in the quotation in the offi of the American Council with "deliberate cial letter to Dr. McIntire. This was Dr. Edgar Archer Dillard, chairman of deception." As to the third paragraph, probably an oversight. The omitted "this Committee has falsely charged," a newly cruted Synod committee to deal paragraph, paragraph 2, reads: there obviously can be a difference of with the officers of the Committee for "WHEREAS, the name of this Com opinion in the Synod concerning a majority True Presbyterianism: mittee clearly implies that the majority of or minority and such difference of opinion I does not have to be penalized by threats Dear Dr. McIntire the 18th General Synod have espoused a false concept of Presbyterianism j and" of judicial cases. Actually, the resolution I am sorry you wcr ... not at de nine itself is the greatest indication that prelacy In this action Synod established a teenth General Synod meeting in St. has come to the Bible Presbyterian Church special committee, gave it instructions Louis. The Synod passed the following that has thus far been evidenced. "to bring any administrative or judicial action. . cases as it thinks necessary to such a court This is prelacy in its worst form o ERTURE REGARDING THE of the church as it finds proper." in Presbyterian polity, when a minority COMMITTEE FOR TRUE opinion must be dealt with on the basis The overture is frank enough to say of serious implicarion and instructions to PRESBYTERIANISM that it is dealing with "the serious impli a committee cre'ted by the majority to cations of the actions of the Committee," proceed with judicial cases if it thinks nec "A ctio/I. 'iV HEREAS, the Committee for and in its second section it says what the True Presbyterianism was organized on essary. name "implies." All of this indicates how the closing day of the 18th Gl:neral Syn sensitive the group in St. Louis was, and But what is there in the constitution od, and apparently as a result of certain it further indicates that they are presum concerning the official actions of the . faction's finding themselves in the minor ing to use the power of the church ':0 deal church that the members of the Committee ity in that Synod; and with this particular group in the church. for True Presbyterianism are bound by? "~Y!lEREAS, this is a deliberate affront To say that the name, "Committee for As to the official actions of the church, the to the Church; and True Presbyterianism," implies t11at "the constitution supports the Committee for majority of the 18th General Synod have True Presbyterianisml when it says, con "VVUEREAS, this Committee has espoused a false concept of Presbyterian cerning all actions, "Whenever such de falsely charged, publicly, that the 18th ism" clearly indicates that the implications livera'lces, resolutions, overtures, and General Synod took actions which by their are those which are understood or created other actions are additional to the specific nature constitute 'a big step in the direc by the majority and not the minority, provisions of the Constitution, they shall tion of Prelacy, and away from True though they have not been specific as to not be regarded as binding unless they be Presbyterianism' (Free Press, Vol. I, No. what these implications a.re. This, they come amendments to the Constitution" I, page 6) and claim, is "a deliberate affront to our (For~ of Government, Chapter 10, Sec Church," a totally unwarranted, unjusti tion 9). So, both the official actions and al "WHEREAS, some of this Committee fied, and extreme conclusion drawn simply so the constitution have certainly not been are committed by the publication of the from the name of a committee. A com transgressed so far as the rights of indl,-id Free Press (Vol. I, No.4) to a false con mittee can be formed to deal with trends uals within the church are concerned. The cept of Presbyterianism by advocating Synod in St. Louis apparently forgot tllat non-attendance at a properly called Gen the constitution of the church has sue;4. eral Synod of the Church; cases as it thinks necessary to such a court provisions in it when it passed this reso of the church as it finds proper." lution. t' "Therefore be ;t resolved, that Synod Pursuant to this action the moderator take due note of the serious implications Synod's action definitely takes the appointed Messrs. Gebb, Horner, Ray of the actions of the Committee on True position that the present majority is true burn, and myself as a committee to meet Presbyterianism with regard to the con Presbyterian and that those who objected with you and the officers of the Committee stitution and the official actions of the are not true Presbyterian, and for this for True Presbyterianism. Church, and formally register its disap reason the peace has been disturbed, par proval of this Committee and its divisive Would it be possible for you and the ticularly through the publication of The activities, and said officers to meet with us at the Robert Free Press, and that something must done Morris Hotel in Ph~ladclphia, Pa., on "Be ;t further l"esolved, that a special to restore peace. Therefore, a committee l\1ay the fifteenth at two p.m.? committee be formed by the moderator to with authority and power has been crrv.04 and given instructions. study the whole problem and to confer I would appreciate a reply at your , with the officers 011 the Committee of earliest convenience as I wi h to notify We have here a clear case of "the True Presbyterianism with an effort to the other members of Synod's Committee. usurped claim of making laws." The Form resolve any problems and to restore peace, Yours in Christ, of Government, Chapter 1, "Preliminary and that such a Committee be instructed to brin~ any administrative or judicial E. A. DILLARD, Chairman (CO~lti1IUed on page 5)

.t.. May 4, 1956 THE FREE PRESS Page 5 Charges Against Mcintire Mandate of 1956 If the committee set up by Synod and The proper title for the action deal its parallel and similarity to the Mandate named by Dr. R. Laird Harris, consist ing with the overture regarding the Com of 1934 and the circumstances which pro ing of Dr. Dillard, Dr. Gebb, Dr. Ray mittee for True Presbyterianism must duced it are astounding. burn, and Mr. Horner-should wish to be and will be historically the Mandate proceed to initiate judicial cases against of 1956. I. men in the courts of the church, it is neces The Mandate of 1934 was addressed It was an action similiar to this which sary for t hem first to write charges to the Independent Board for Presby the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. against these men. The three charges. ~erian Foreign Missions, an independent took in 1934. Simply an administrative which Dr. M cIntire was convicted of in committee, not under the jurisdiction of deliverance, nothing more, nothing less, aisobeying the Mandate of 1934 now the Assembly, but which was organized and which the members of the Independent come to be most appropriate for this announced on the closing day of the Gen Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions, committee's use in case they go this far. eral Assembly. The Committee on True under the leadership of Dr. J. Gresham Presbyterianism, independent, not under The fi rst charge on which Dr. Mc Machen, called the Mandate of 1934. the jurisdiction of the General Synod, was I nti re ~ was convicted by tile Presbytery Now we have another administrative de organized and annou nced on the closing for disobeying the Mandat ~ of 1934 liverance, in answer to an overture, and day of the 18th General Synod. reads: II. "Dinpproval, defi ~ ncc, and acts in church, then any trials which may be in The Mandate of 1934 was designed to contravention of the r(orc rnmen t and itiated wi ll have to end in a censure, not discipline of the Preshytr mln Church deal specifically wi th the Independent in admonition or rebuke, but in the cen Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions, in'the U.S.A." sure of suspension from the ministry and which was considered to be not Pl·.~b} te T his fi ts very well the Mandate of 1956. deposition. If, after they have all their rian and also a disturber of tIle peace. trials, they just admonish or rebuke the The minority is declared to be in defiance One who reads the Mandate of 1'15 5 ~ef" members of the Committee for True Pres of the constitution and the official acts of that it is directed toward a commi"~Lc byterianism, they have not restored the the 18th General Synod. It is an "affront" which is not considered to hI' truly P~es peace of the church. to the church, and in con'ravcntion of byterian and which is disturbmg th~ peac .. tl::e government A very interesting paral- Should men be fo rbidden to preach the of. the church. As to this par'i Uel, there 1,.1! Gospel and be suspended from the min is a similarity that could hardly be dis S .. cond : istry simply because they are members puted. of this Committee for True Presbyterian "Not being zealous and fai thful in III. ism? One can easily see the path down maintaining the peace of the Church." The Mandate of 1934 considered the which these men who are now running the Independent Board an affront to the This ("..ba rge also fits very well the Man Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church date of 1956, which is designed to restore church, and the Mandate of 1956 consid have proceeded. The road they are now ers the Committee for True Presbyte peace or have judici al cases, and it IS the' walking, the same identical road that the rianism to be an affront to the church. members of the Committee for Tr:le Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. walked, P resbyterianism who are alleged to be can only mean suspension of men from IV. responsible for the disturbance of tf:' the ministry - thus their removal. The Mandate of 1934 attacked the peace. I t surely looks as though history is Independent Board as a false concept of T hird: repeating itself; but the people in the Presbyterianism. The M andate of 1956 "Violation of his ordination vows." pews who love the Lord and rejoice in attacks members of the Committee for the stand of the men who suffered on the True Presbyterianism as advocating "a These violations of his ordination false concept of Presbyterianism by ad vows, of course, were that he was not s b Independent Board for Presbyterian For eign M issions are not going to tolerate vocating non-attendance at a properly ject to,his brethren and that he had dis called General Synod of the Church." turbed the peace. AlI of this fi ts perfectly any such proceedings, and it is obvious the M andate of 1956. In Mr. McIntire's that there has already been a very sizable The Mandate of 1934 took due note trial in 1935, he admitted that he was a reaction in the church toward the attack of the serious conditions which had devel member of the Independent Boa rd for of the 19th Gene ral Synod upon the Com oped in the church because of the Inde P resbyterian Foreign Missions, that he mittee for T rue Presbyterianism. pendent Board for Presbyterian Foreign did not intend to resign, that he felt it Missions. The Mandate of 1956 takes was t he Lord's will. We are confident that due note of the "serious implications of the actions of the Committee for True the officers and members of the Committee Special Committee __ _ for True Presbyterianism do not intend ' Presbyterianism." to resign, dissolve the Committee, stop (Continued from page 4) 'The Mandate of 1934 did not create a publishing The Free Press, or anything Principles," says: "Now though it will special cOl1l1ilittee, but it gave instructions else, in reply to demands of a Geileral easily be admitted, that all synods and to the presbyteries. The Mandate of Synod acting through a committee with councils may err, through the frailty in 1956 gives specific instructions to a specific threats of judicial cases hanging over the separable from humanity; yet there is Synod committee. The Mandate of 1934 men. much greater danger from the usurped was more specific in its detailed provi But one step further needs to be taken. claim of making laws, than from the right sions, while the Mandate of 1956 leaves If the purpose of these jndicial cases is of judging upon laws already made ...." the specific desires of the Synod to be de to drive men out of the church since they Here is a usurpation, on the part of a cided upon by the committee of four, and will not voluntarily leav~, and this is the majority, of power which they do not they are to make known their desires to only way they can be gotten out of the possess. (Continued on page 6) Page 6 THE FREE PRESS May 4, 1956

this radical extremism on our part? Some Christian Reports thing is unbalanced somewhere with us. "Goading" McIntire Well, whi ch is worse: goading to A new term has become current in the Get-Rid-of-Mclntire SpirH schism, or actual schism? vernacular of some of the Bible Presbyte Who committed the greater sin rian preachers. It is the word "goading." The Rev. George S. Christian, Fawn twenty years ago, the O. P. C. for goad It is set as opposite to the word "schism," Grove, Pa., released a paper during the ing the B. P. c., or the B. P. C. for the and it is freely being admitted that an meeting of the Synod entitled, "David, actual schism? effort is being made to "goad" Dr. McIn Not Rehoboam," with the subtitle, "Mid Who will have been the greater sin tire out of the Bible P.resbyterian Church. Synod Reflections of a Presbyter to ' the ners if the B. P. C. is now split: the goad Dr. Mcintire has announced on several Nineteenth General Synod of the Bible ers or the schismatics? ... occasions that he does not intend to leave Presbyterian Church." Excerpts from To press human nature beyond the the church but he intends to stay in it and this paper are here reported as an indi breaking point is neither realistic nor in to work for the return of the church to its cation of things which were being said harmony with the Scriptural teaching of original position. It was also said among around the Synod about Dr. Carl Mc instant justification by faith and gradual brethren that if the Bible Presbyterian Intire. sanctification over a period of time. The Church left the International Council of ... First of all, let us turn our atten Shorter Catechism asks, "Are all trans Christian Churches, of which Dr. Mcin tion to the shouts of exaltation which gressions of the law equally heinous?" tire is president, then Dr. McIntire would some of us are emitting as the muddy The answer is, "Some sins are in them have to leave the Bible Presbyterian waters of Jordan are wettin~ our feet. selves, and by reason of several aggrava Church. But, it is possible in the Inter "We've got to bust. Mcintire's got tions, more heinous in the sight of God national Council and the American Coun to go I For twenty years he has been a than others." cil of Christian Churches for church as sociations to be received as constituent bully. I'm fed up I This thing can' t (Continued on P1ge 8) drag on any longer. We've got to settle members and the churche :n the Bible it now. I can't take it another year. It's Presbyterian Synod which desire to be breaking up my church and hindering the represented in the ICCC and ACCC may Lord's work. It's even affecting my nerves continue to do so. It is believed that a and my home life. If I have to live under Mandate of 1956 large nu mber of the churches will be rep Mcintire's thumb another year, I'll quit resented in the Council through the new (Conti1lued from page 5) the ministry. We've lost the Seminary. ly formed Bible Presbyterian Church As There is sin in the American Council and the members of the Committee for True sociation. the International Council, and God just Presbyterianism. isn't going to bless us so long as we are a In this aspect the Mandate of 1956 Mandate of 1956 instructed a committee part of anything that has sin in it. If we is nebulous, uncertain, and far worse and of four to proceed with their own pro don't stick together and act decisively now more dangerous. Four men have the gram for peace as Synod's program. The we won't have a Synod next year. The power of Synod to make demands upon Mandate of 1934 held the threat of judi men just won't stay and take it. It is im brethren in Synod in the interests of the cial discipline over the heads of the mem possible to change Mcintire I He's got peace of the church, and if such are not bers of the Independent Board. The Man it coming to him I" met to their satisfaction, then they are date of 1956 holds the threat of judicial Do we hear the spirit of wild Reho instructed to proceed with judicial cases, discipline over the heads of the officers on boam in these shouts, or is it all the mod as they think necessary. the Committee for True Presbyterianism. erate spirit of David, the man a fter God's V. The instructions to the committee of tbe own heart? ... The Mandate of 1934 when carried Bible Presbyterian Church are general "But Mcintire is a villain I" we hear out, placed the General Assembl in the and broad. They provide for either peace someone scream. position of initiating judicial processes or judicial cases as the committee decides. The committee is therefore instructed, Is he? I against ministers. The Mandate of 19'56, under the authority of Synor! r:-'e Gen That may be, but if he is, we B. P. if carried out, places the General Synod eral Assembly of 1934 also 'Y.. nted peace C.ers are not well balanced and have not in the position of initiating judicial proc or judicial cases. The Bible P"esoyterian yet matured sufficiently to have a great esses against minis ters. In the case of the Church's instructions are more ;,. bu1ous, movement of God entrusted to our hands. Mandate of 1934, this was seriously pro and cover the specific de mands '0 \e made Six years ago when this same Bible Pres tested and objected to by Dr. Machen and by a committee of four. byterian Synod met in this same city, the his counsel, for the General Assembly was writer remembers that the Synod rose to not a court to initiate judicial cases. There is a eal question as to whether its feet and applauded when Dr. Mcintire Nevertheless, it was done, under the mmlsters in the Bible r ·,byter1 dt sLmply entered the room. A guest-an phrase, "superintending the concerns of Church should even consent to ~e r ve n outsider to the B. P. C. Synod who the whole church." In the formation of such a committee. It seems incredl: fe::. ;i was with the writer-later remarked, the Bible Presbyterian Church, that phrase almost unbel :evable that afte r t ( LV "George, that was not good; it is a bad was eliminated from any powers of Synod years, for it was in 1136 that the jud o sign." and there is no power anywhere in the cases were fin ally decided for the Gen constitution of the Bible Presbyterian The writer's guest was right. We Assembly of the Presbyterian Church it were not then and are not now balanced. Church which gives the Synod authority the U.S.A. , that a mandate so simila r Six years ago we venerated Dr. McIntire; to initiate judicial cases by instructing a should be adopted by the highest court in now we are goading him to get out. committee. the Bibl e Presbyterian Church and ' (. Has Dr. Mcintire changed these last VI. rected specifically to the Commitl True Pre nerianism, an . ric! . _nt six years? The Mand ate of 1934 instructed the committee operating l'lt '.b.r My fellow presbyters say he has al stated clerk of the Assembly to notify w it h,~ which belongs to all P resbyt nans. ways been just about the same. 'Vhy then the Independent Board members. The May 4, 1956 TIlE FREE PRESS Independent· Agencies Not Approved The 19th General Synod, meeting iri ceive the endorsement or approval of the formation of the church in 1938. The St. Louis. turned ita back upon the agen Synod in St. Louis, and it is no longer on Synod in St. Louis withheld its endorse cies which have been used. in the provi the approved list of agencies of the Bible ment and approval of the ChristiaN Bea dence of God, to help build the Synod. Presbyterian Church. In a resolution, con and it is no longer a Synod-aRproved I. reference was made to the teaching of agency. It has been an independent agen the institution, but the institution itself cy, incorporated separately, and has been The Independent Board for Presbyte has now been replaced by a Synod-con edited by Dr. Carl McIntire. The Synod rian Foreign Missions, the pioneer agency trolled seminary which is to function as now has its Synod-controlled paper, edited of the whole movement in Presbyterian a graduate department of theology in con and published under the authority of circles, did not receive the endorsement nection with the Synod-controlled college. Synod. or approval of the Synod. The Board has III. The three major independent agen been endorsed faithfully through the cies which have contributed to the years and commended to the churches for The Christian Beacon has been a building and promotion of the Bible Pres its support. This commendation was with faithful minister, assisting the Bible Pres byterian Church through the years have held this year. In a resolution, reference byterian Church in many ways since the been the Christian BeacON, Faith Theo was made to missionaries, but the Board logical Seminary, and the Independent itself is no longer one of the approved Action of Synod Relative to Board for Presbyterian Foreign Mis agencies of the Bible Presbyterian Church. sions. All three have now been officially The Independent Board for Presbyte Independent Board for removed by the Synod from its approved rian Foreign Missions, according to one Presbyterian Foreign Missions list of institutions. of the leaders of the Synod, has "one more 'year of grace." No oppo ing Synod DEPLORE ACTION OF INDEPENDENT Though leaders in the Synod affirmed their belief in independent agencies as controlled board of foreign missions has BOARD FOR PRESBYTERIAN FOREIGN well as Synod-controlled agencies, in act yet been established. MISSIONS IN DROPPING DRS. RAYBURN ual fact and practic~ they have committed The Articles of Association, the first AND SHEPPERSON the Synod to a Synod-controlled seminary document of any kind dealing with the Action: Commend all the missionaries as opposed to Faith Seminary, to a Synod Bible Presbyterian movement, signed controlled paper as opposed to the Chris of the Independent Board for Presbyte June 4, 1937, has the following reference : tian Beacon, to a Synod-controlled college "We heartily affirm our faith in and sup rian Foreign Missions to the loya l sup as opposed to Shelton and Highland Col port of the Independent Board for Pres port of the churches but to deplore the leges. byterian Foreign Missions, and join in actions of the Independent Board in drop IV. the vigorous testimony of that Board ping of Drs. Rayburn and Shepperson Shelton College, which has had the against modernism and unbelief of all without due cause. kinds." approval of the Synod regularly, was not endorsed as an approved agency of the The 19th General Synod declined to Bible P resbyterian Church. There are no affirm its faith - in and support of this independent colleges approved by the Bi Board. Let it not be said that there is no Action of Synod Relative to ble Presbyterian Church any longer. change in the Bible Presbyterian ChurcQ Faith Theological Seminary The action of the Synod in regard to from the position of its founding fathers I these independent agencies indicates in INVESTIGATE ESTABLISHMENT OF A II. reality the fulfillment of what Dr. Allan SEMINARY IN MIDDLE W EST UNDER THIS Faith Theological Seminary has been A. MacRae and Dr. Carl McIntire have SYNOD the institution which has supplied the min preViOu sly wCl tten in The Free Press The philosophy of Synod control, though men isterial leadership for the Bible Presbyte Action: Synod authorize Covenant Col rian Church. It is independent and its may give lip service to independent agen charter says that it shall never be subj ect lege Board, if, as, and when accepted by cies, eliminates the independent agencies to the dictates of any ecclesiastical body. Synod to initiate theologlc:lI raining on and develops a tightly controlled denomi Faith Theological Seminary did not re- graduate level at their discretion. nation.

. ssions. As )'O U all know, we faced a ST. LOUIS PASTOR'S REPORT tIm!' of dec!slon that made this probably " A nd he go~'e some, apostles; and The t . LoUie I hu rch does not fu lfi ll ~h e mo t rn portdnt Synod in our history. some, prophets; and so me, evangelists; the provision, of the c.:s olutiQn it adopted 'The work that the body accomplish- and so me, postoq and teachers; recently. None of the men have left the ed was done slowly and deliberately. T he' " For the perfecting of the saints, f or SV1J od I' one of the men have resigned L. ons lasted from 8.30 a.m. unti l I p.m ., the work of the ministry, f or the edifying fr om "I' ag ~'l. · es. 2 to 6 p n and 7 to 10 :3 0 or II p.m. each da) e\Lp' Sunday. However, the exte nt of the body of Christ : F all owin g I~ . hf firs t part of the r~ of the work cove red was complete so that port g: "I' n to he St Louis Church .b y its "Till we all co me in the unity of the the voi ce of the Synod and its feel ings p a ~ tor , the Re v. Donald J. M acNair : faith, an d of the knowledge of the Son abou t the problems before us has been of God, unto a prrfect man, unto the • TI t 19th General Synod of the li fted on almost every im portant sub ject Bib,e Prr

try and testimony-has replaced the ful Organization of the Church Radical Change in the Church ler, broader concept which founded the church and blessed the church for many When the Bible Presbyterian Church The Rev. Donald J. MacNair, editor years. \!vas organized, it was to be a fellowship of the Bible Presbyterian Obser·ver, has an of churches held together by the bonds article entitled, "Young Men's Revolt?" This radical change has taken place of love in the Holy Spirit, on the basis in the April, 1956, issue. I quote: "This speedily The first open attack came in of mutual love and confidence. The foun is certainly Food for Thought, and does 1954 in Greenville, by Dr. Rayburn, when ders determined that no General Synod not indicate that any great change is com he lifted his voice against the American would ever again be able, by means of a ing into our Bible Presbyterian Church." Council 0; Christian Churches. The Syn od, the following year, took steps to ini mandate, to initiate judicial processes The change has already come. The against men and that men would never be tiate a Syflod-controlled college, estab church has been a part of an organi zed lished a powerful Board of Christian able to say that deliverances and actions movement against the apostasy of our of the General Synod had to be obeyed on E ducation and set up an offi -a l organ. day, but that has been changed Of what 1 hen tht' next yea r 1 Q,6, it cut itself dea ~ the plea of being subject to their brethren " movement" is the BIble Presbvterian Therefore, the following provision wa~ f-om the lOdepeT'd_ ~ age.H:ies c· ating to Church a part since tI le St. L ouis Syn these fields and has ('onnned its .I ppro d written into the constitutron: od ? AbOUT all the Bl de Presbyteria n "Although the deliverances, resol u activity t(, its Svnod-cor-ro:1ed agenci es. C llUrch has at tht or..-scn' time is the tions, overtures, and other actio' ~ 01 The Independent B o~ d for P r o>bvter i ~1I church and Its owr. ~A;ci:!; :tj:ten Cle~. As 1 the General Synod are to be accorded Foreign M issions is g0 "g Or w i th~ut the IS pointed out elsrwh n:. i~ no longer en the weight which is prope in view of approval of the Synod. even though Synod dor~ e~ agclIties ~_nd l '~"Il111 I C nds them the character of the body, yet when has not yet estab' shed it,. O~/t1 offi cla' for to lt~ people-Faith . ..: JTI lO ary, the In eign board. But, With tn· po,itlol1 now e.ver such deliverances. resolutivns, ove r dependent Board for Pil'sbyterian For tures, and other actions are addi ti onal ch ampioned by these brethren It will onh eign Missions, the Chmt!all Beacon, Shel to the specific provisons of the Consti be a short time before a Synod-cont oIled ton College, Highland College, etc. The tution, they shall not be regarded as foreign board is formed. movement which the Bible Presbyterian binding unless they_b ecome amendments Also, the doctrine of the new concept Church officially supports now is its~lf and to the Constitution." of the church is seen in the set-up of the its agencies! I t is no longer connected This stands fo r freedom of conscience, Synod-controlled college. Onl} m" rrbe;-s With the American or Internation.11 Coun of the majority in the Synod are perml · "a protects the individual and the churches, ci ls of Christian Churches. It h:ls cut it and it also means that the Synod is not to serve on its bo:! d of c" ntrot T 110 ugh self off L·om this part of wl-tat was pre the college spea. and "pe ~a tes :n tht arbitrarily to impose its will upon the , iou ,ly known as "the mo" ment.' And churches or upon mi nisters. If there are nalT" of the whole 5YI od and repr(>'~l'ts the movement previously included all these the whole Synod, only th e majority problems arising, they are to be discussed otl,er activities and int rests as a part of and handled on the basis of mutual 1m e art permitted to be on its board ThIS the Bible Presbyterian testimony. Pre and confidence. On that basis, matters too, is a new c ~ ncept , ro r previously v ".>usly, one outlook was possessed bv could be settled. The concept · which is in both the American Council and the Na the church. Now an entirely difi"rcnt olo l tional Missions Commi ttee representa now reigning in the Bible PresbyterIan look has taken hold of those who were Church, under the leadership of Dr. Bus tives of all aspects of the church were in In con trol of the St. Louis meetmg. well and D r. Rayburn, is that the consti cluded. The official delegates to the ACCC tution becomes a weapon, a threat of dis We just do not see how Mr. MacNair last year included both majority and cipline by the Gener:tl Synod on a basis of could say that the situation "does not in minority elements in the Synod. This technicality, to force men and churches dicate that any great change is coming." confi ni ng of the representation to the ma This does not work. It has already come ! N ow a restricted, jority alone represents a part of the ingrown vi ew of the church-its minis- change which has come into the church.

viduals have talked with him fo r years. driven if you use a sledge hammer, for Never mind the cold war of official, gentle, the wall which was to hold it will be de Christian Reports ... Scriptural censorship which God's Word stroyedl and the Book of Discipline teaches. It " But McIntire's 'twigs' and 'tacks' (Continued trom page 6) wilJ never work anyway Mcintire is have rocked the world li ke the horse shoe Of course, we must not condone Cig hopeless. Let's belch him out! You say nail which lost the shoe, which lost the noni affairs, Bible balloons, statistics, we have never tried this other way. It horse, which lost the rider, which lost the wholesale board replacements, and the isn't worth a try." battle I" like. And of course, we must press for But remember. a screamer, -you your Right, but still it was a horse shoe reformation. - self can't di vest yourself of human nature, nail, and can't be fixed in any other way But if we use these twigs for the either; and with what judgment ye judge, than by a horse-shoe-nail hammer. foundation of our excuse for schism, or ye shall be judged! "But ho w would you like to live under goading to schism, our house is sure to _ Remember, it is an unbalanced move the fear of reprisal and the stigma of fall in on us. and ourselves be crushed in ment wh ich one minute has a god as its twisted truth while you are trying this the wreck. leader and the next turns him into a devil! . lovey-dovey gentle, official church disci pline with love and mercy for the offend "Twigs!" someone screams. "Why, Remember, it is an unbalanced move if your job were jeopardized, you would ing brother, which you say ha~ never been ment wh ich uSGS a sledge hammer to drive tried before with Dr. McIntire?" I just n't talk that way! And -remember, truth a tack! , is truth, and McIntire has twisted it a can't take it another year. Christian or Rt:memb~r, tack hammers not sledge little from time to time! Away with this no Christian, I just can't turn the cheek hammers are for tacks. man. Away with anything he has a part this time. I just want to belch McIntire in. We can't participatc in sin. Indi- Remember, not. even the tack will be (Contitltud on page to) May 4, ~956 THE FREE PRESS Page 9

(Photographically reproduced from The Evelling Bulletin, Philadelphia, April 16, 1956 ..- Night Extra, New Jersey Edition, page 3) • ing sufficient cau ~ e for dissatis- , byterIan Church in JWle,1936, by Bible Presbyterian Church faction in its repre~p.ntation by the General Assembly of the the American Council of Chris- I iPresbyterian Church of the tian Churches hereby terminates I U. S. A. for declining to resign Splits Rejects Dr. _Mcintire the power of that agency to. rep- I from an independent group tJ:1at l I resent said denomination." challenged the PresbyterIan The national assembly of the He was not present at the The schism was effective im· 1 Board of Foreign Missions. Bible Pre~byterian Church has re- week·long meeting of the synod. mediately. J The ouster from the $250,000 '" .: church was backed by the New jected the leadership of lb; princi- It also was reported that a Up to Individual .CllUrche5 I Jersey Courts and in March, 1938, pal founder, the Rev. Dr. Carl Mc- number of faculty members of the Dr. Han:s .P?mted out. ho~. , Dr. McIntire with 1,206 meml:Jers Intire, of Collingswood, N. J., it Faith Theological Seminary, ever, that mdlVIdual cl\urches m l oC the congregation marched out Elkins Park, and Shelton College, the synod had the power t? reo of the chul'ch and founded the was learned today. N. J., will resign at the end of the af{ili.ate wi~ both tJ.1e nabonal Bible Presbyterian Church of The action was taken at the school year for similar reasons. and mternatlonal bodies. Collingswood, Haddon avo and 19th General Synod meeting of McIntire is founder of both It was learn~ that. a n.ew Cuthbert blvd., Collingswood. the denomination in St. Louis last schools. group, called BIble PresbyterIan The church became the nucleus week. Association, will be organized by of thE: Bible Presbyterian Church The group, composed of some 'Dissatisfaction' Stressed Ch~r.ch leaders who want to re- Synod, which now has 88 affiliat- 8.800 members, also disassociated The Rev. Dr. R Laird Harris, . afflliate. . .' .. ed churches. itself from the American Council faculty member of the Faith ' Dr. Harr~s saId Dr. McIntire IS Dr. McIntire in 1941 founded of Christian Churches and the In· Theological Seminary and mod· not ~ offIcer,,?! the . Amez:.c.~ the American Council of Chris-. ·ternational Council of Christian I era tor of the synod, emphasized Coun.cll bu.t IS Its mO~Ing S Plr~ t tian Churches, which in organi- Churches. that the break reflected no dis· and IS maInly responSIble for Its ti" alle1s th National .. Th ill t . za on par e Two Chargell agreement over church doctrine pol1eles. e group \~ mee m Council of Churches in Christ of Th e syno d ch arge d " un demo·. I but a "dissatisfaction.. . with . eer- .Fort Worth,' Tex., April 2:;. the USA. . . cratic Jeadership" of the two par· tall~. a~IlIstrabve actIons and OU.!lted in 1936 . I It claim ~ some 22(),OOO mem- ent groups and "exaggeration" of ' polICIes. . I The Bible PresbyterIan O!~eh bers. membership statistics The formal resolution, passed Synod one of the 14 denomma· Th It t· ., Co '1 f . 76 16 t ted' . '. . . . e n erna IOn" unCI 0 Dr. McIntire, pastor of the "to '. Ii ~. . • bons affiliated WIth the AmerIcan Christian Churches 'as organiz- BibJe Presbyterian Church of Col· ·Reaff.=ng fis. ~O!iltJOrt on Coqncil, will not be represented" ed by McIntire in Ams terdam in lingswood, is the founder and a the p~r Ity ~f. the Vlslble chu~ch Dr. Harris sai~ \ 1948. It boasts world-wide rep- Past president of the American and Its POSItIon on separatIOn Dr. McIntire, Oklahoma-born t t' til · h "4 affill'ated I fr d' d' 1 .. ~ resen a Ion lOUg ;) Council and founder and presi. om rno errusm an me uSlv~m, fundamentalis.!, . ~as ou 8' I denominations \\-ith 11. t('tal mem- ~ent of the International Council. the 19th General Synod •.. fmd- pastor of the collinlZSwood res- :bership of 1,100,000.' REPORTS IN IlEYENING BULLETIN" The "Bulletin" Story The Philadelphia Evenittg Bltlleti" with the same, these statistics have not AND IlCOURIER-POST" gave more space to the report concerning been reported. The Evetling Bullet;" story was re Dr. McIntire than it has to anything re When the Synod, meeting in St. Louis, written and carried on the front page of lated to the separatist movement for adopted the reference to the American years. During the sessions of the ICCC the Camden, N. J., Courier Post, with a Council of Christian Churches and the in Philadelphia, the Bulletin virtually International Council 0 f Christian two-column head, "Bible Presbytery skipped them. As to Dr. McIntire's reo Churches without giving any reason what· Split: Synod Hits Rule of Rev. McIn cent trip to Australia, when all informa· soever for such action to the ICCC or to tire." The story opened: "A split in the tion was sent to the Bulletin, no notice anyone else, it is only natural that the I8-year-old Bible Presbyterian Church was given of it. newspaper report would gather up the has resulted in rejection of the leadership Dr. R. Laird Harris's statement given charges and report them as "the Synod to the Bulleti1l was used to discredit Dr. charge.n of the Rev. Dr. Carl McIntire, of Col McIntire. How Dr. Harris could justify Dr. Carl McIntire, when these attacks lingswood, its principal founder." his references to Dr. McIntire and his were made, declined to make any reply. contribution to such an attack upon him He felt that he should not enter into a Station WKDN, Camden County's before the ungodly world is indeed a public controversy before the world on radio station, reported the "rejection" of question I The news that members of this matter, and that it would be better Dr. Mclntire by the Bible Presbyterians. Faith Theological Seminary faculty are to take the wrong and bear the reproach planning to resign was made known to t,han' to have headlines-"McIntire This publicity in the Philadelphia the Seminary Board members and others Strikes Back/' or " McIntire Blasts Har. arca, immediately preceding the May 4th for the first time by means of the Bulletin ris," or the like. story. The use which the Bulletin has made meeting which Dr. McIntire is leading Who gave the Bulletin "statistics" against the coming of the communist of the difficulty in the Bible Presbyterian about the International Council of Chris Church indicates how serious the whole clergy, has greatly embarrassed all the tian Churches is also a question, for to the affair is and has been from th·e beginning Bible Presbyterians and other groups con present time the International Coun~il as it relates to the separatist cause. It nected with thc 1nternational Council of has never released nor have any of its further indicates as true what some are Christian Churches. It is a matter of officials discussed total membership statis now saying-that there is a determined tics. All that has ever been relea rd has wonuer as to how the other Bible Pres effort on the part of brethren to destroy been the 57 denominational figure. With the ministry of Dr. McIntire, if possible. bytcri all millisters would feel if their the denominations scattered ovrr the local papers IYere to carry similar stories world, with circumstances varying in each The question of statistics in the abont the "split" in their church. country, and with difficulties in connection (Contintled on page 11) Page 10 THE FREE PRESS May 4, 1956 Appeals From Boards and Agencies AChurch Acts A clear example of how Dr. Buswell the right to object to the use of the ad The Bible Presbyterian Church of and those associated with him are turning dressograph plates which the congrega Sapulpa, Okla., established as the direct and twisting things and also rationalizing ,tion gave for one purpose, "to be used result of the Christian Beacon and Dr. some of the acts is seen in his discussion 'for the privileges which all Bible Pres Carl McIntire's contact with Mr. Glenn of the Collingswood Church's experience byterian people have in hearing appeals O. Young, at a recent congregational with the Rev. Thomas G. Cross of the from various agencies." Does the Synod, meeting withdrew from the Bible Presby National Missions Committee in the through its agencies, have the right to go terian Church and changed its name to Bible Presbyterian Observer, April, 1956, into local congregations, regardless of Community Dible Church of Sapulpa. Mr. page 3. Dr. Buswell endeavors to justify how the local congregations may feel to Young, leading elder, objected to un Mr. Cross's use of the addressograph ward these agencies? A more powerful democratic pressures put upon his church plates of the Collingswood Church for an Synod has more powerful Synod agencies. by representatives of the Presbytery of appeal to the Collingswood people to And it is in this light that Dr. Buswell the Mid-South. . break their pledges to the congregation says, "The argument on the use of ad A major factor in the withdrawal of and support instead the National Mis dressograph plates is quite peculiar." the congregation was internal interference sions Committee's program. Dr. Bus What, then, is the liberty of the local by the Rev. Tom Cross, secretary of the well writes, "Presumably these addresso congregation under the new setup in the National Missions Committee. The graph plates had been given to the Com Bible Presbyterian Synod, where there are church had been a National Missions mittee on National Missions for the pur only Synod-controlled agencies which church and was pastored for some time pose of soliciting funds and promoting have been approved by the General Syn by the Rev. Hayes Henry. the interests of National Missions." The od? Is it only Synod-controlled agencies article to which Dr. Buswell is referring, which now have the privilege of coming written by Dr. McIntire, "Our Experience to the people in the Bible Presbyterian W ith a Synod-controlled Agency," had churches? Since the Synod has withheld Christian Reports ••• specifically explained that the plates were its endorsement from Faith Seminary and (Continued from, page 8) given simply for the purpose of sending the Independent Board for Presbyterian the National Missions R eporter and Foreign Missions, are pastors now to tell out. You speak of the example of Christ nothing else I Why does Dr. Buswell their people and are sessions to inform and David, well, it doesn't apply when I' presume when the record was before him? the congregations that they must support am the one under pressure. It was all Mr. Cross used these plates to address to the full measure of their ability those right for David and for Christ and for letters to the members, which were not boards and agencies approved and en Paul when they were under pressure. even National Missions letters. The dorsed by the denomination's highest They were out to win people for Christ article by Dr. McIntire asked, "Is it the court - the Synod? Since Synod has . by their suffering, but I am ·a Bible Pres ~ask of a Synod-controlled agency to make not endorsed the Independent Board for byterian and I win people by attacking league with a minority in a particular con Presbyterian Foreign Missions and Faith them I gregation for the purpose of having finan Theological Seminary, are appeals which "What do you mean there has been cial pledges of that congregation with are to be sent from these institutions to in few tears for Dr. McIntire in this -Synod, 'drawn? Shall a Synod-controlled agen dividuals in Bible Presbyterian churches and not even so little as one word of pray cy make available to particular individ to be considered in contravention of the er on the floor? , ••" uals the use of a mailing list which the con will and purpose of the 19th General Are the good brethren of the Synod gregation gave to it for a definite, specific Synod? It certainly appears that Dr. who hold to "get rid of McIntire" rather purpose? We do not think that it should, Buswell has pointed up a new doctrine than "get rid of all unscriptural McIntire but it did." Dr. Buswell then wrote, "By concerning boards and agencies and their policy" fully conscious of the enormity of what right then does the Collingswood rights in the local churches in his defense their sins or the 'gravity 'of its conse Church session withdraw its own people of Mr. Cross's interference in the internal quences? Not so much its immediate con from the privileges which all other Bible affairs of the Collingswood Church after sequences (and that is bad enough) in Presbyterian people have in hearing ap that church, by official action, had voted the ACCC and ICCC, but its conse peals from various agencies?" to withhold its support from the Synod quences to themselves a generation hence? controlled National Missions Committee. It was not the Session j it was the con Has it occurred to them that this is a gregation, in a duly called meeting, which This whole circumstance raises serious far greater sin than twisted statistics, said that it no longer desired( to support questions concerning the liberty which hyperbolic advertising, board replace the National Missions CommIttee. Let Bible Presbyterians won for themselves ments, and the like? ters sent out bv the Session informled the when they left the Presbyterian Church churches throughout the denomination of in the U.S.A. Are ministers coming into bly agencies of the Presbyterian Church the stand of the Collingswood Church. the church also to be checked by the in the U.S.A. and the General Assembly But Dr. Buswell writes, "It is assumed "powers that be" for a favorable recom of that body, which insisted that the in that the people of the Collingswood mendation on the basis of their willing stitutions established and approved by the Church are not to be appealed to by the ness to support the "denominational pro General Assembly were Presbyterian, and regularly established Committee on Na gram" through its officially approved it was the right and the privilege of the tional Missions which had long been serv agencies as opposed to the interests of members of the church to support them. ing the Church." Have we here a new the independent agencies which still exist Dr. Buswell now, it seems, argues that it doctrine in the church concerning boards but are no longer endorsed? How similar is the right and privilege, which cannot and agencieq in relationship to the are all these questions to those which sur be deprived a congregation, even when it churches? It appears to be the case. roundecl the Independent Board for Pres votes to the contrary, to have the ap When a local congregation withdraws its byterian Foreign Missions at the hands proved agency appeal to it through its support of an agency, it does not have of the denominationally approved Assem- membership list J May 4, 1956 mE" FREE PRESS Page 11 "And be it further resolved, that we, Collingswood Church's Resolution the officers and members of the Collings wood Bible Presbyterian Church, continue The Bible Pre~byterian Church of "RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING our faith in and support of our pastor Collingswood in its annual congregational OUR CONFIDENCE IN OUR and God-given leader in our Bible Presby meeting unanimously adopted the follow PASTOR" CARL McINTIRE terian denomination, our independent ing resolution and unanimously voted to "On the occasion of this 19th Congre agencies, and world-wide Twentieth Cen affiliate "with the Bible P-resbyterian gational Meeting, April 17, 1956, we, the tury Reformation movement." Church Association. officers of all the official boards and mem bers of the Collingswood Bible Presbyte Mrs. William A. Chamberlin, widow rian Church, regret the action of the 19th The "Bulletin Story'" of Dr. Chamberlin, the senior elder for General Synod in withdrawing their sup (Continu~d from page 9) port from all agencirs which we and our years in the Collingswood Church, in the ACCC (there never has been any ques discussion at the meeting rose and said pastor have had a major part in organiz ing and supporting. tion in the ICCC) was dealt with and that we (our congregation) were in the settled at the Boston meeting, and there denomination before these others and "And we do hereby resolve that we had been no exaggeration. When false that we still hold tlte views which the de continue to approve and support all inde charges are made by brethren and then nomination had when it was started. pendent agencies as have been set forth in used in public news reports to dislTedit the our previous statements, and also as set ACCC and ICeC, and p"articularly Dr. The resolution as adopted follows: up in our budgets. Mcintire, serious q\Aestions are raised.

The Committee for True Presbyterianism. On the last day of the 18th General Rev. Lynn Gray Gordon, Pasadena, Rev. Arthur G. Slaght, Baltimore, Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church, Calif. Md. meeting in St. Louis, Mo., there was Rev. Robert I. Hatch, Kansas City, Rev. J. U. Selwyn Toms, Chatta formed, independent of the Synod, a Mo. nooga, Tenn. Committee for True Presbyterianism, by Rev. J. Gordon Holdcroft, D.D., Mr. R. S. Wigfield, Collingswood, a number of brethren who were seriously Philadelphia, Pa. N.J. concerned by the events of the Synod and Rev. Adam B. Hunter, Tacoma, Wash. Mr. Clyde M. Worley, Pasadena, the change which had taken place in the Rev. William M. Irving, Mentmore, Calif. Bible Presbyterian Church. N. Mex. These men included the following: Rev. John E. Janbaz, Pasadena, Calif. The purpose of this C"mmittee is to Rev. Philip duB. Arcularius, Lake Rev. Clyde J. Kennedy, Glendale, bring information to the m.,;mbers of the wood, N. J. Calif. Bible Presbyterian Church. Mr. Wyman Ludlow, Pasadena, Mr. Robert E. Baker, Camden, N. J. J. A subcommittee was appointed com Calif. Mr. Clayton A. Bancroft, Haddon posed of Allan A. MacRae, Carl Mc Rev. Allan A. MacRae, Ph.D., Elkins field, N. J. Intire, Albert W. Oldham, Adam Park, Pa. B. Mr. Burchelle J. Bashaw, Haddon Hunter, and Arthur G. Slaght. field, N. J. Rev. E. E. Matteson, Wilton, N. Dak. Mr. Robert L. Boertzel, Collings Rev. Carl McIntire, D.D., Collings This publication is issued in pursu wood, N. J. wood, N. J. ance of plans to bring information to the Mr. C. W. Brogan, Lincoln Park, Rev. Joseph F. Misicka, Collings church. . Mich. wood, N. J. Mr. Willia11lj H. Clint.on, Bakerstown, Rev. John M. Norris, Red Lion, Pa. ThIS Issue of The Free Press was pro 'pa. Rev. Albert W. Oldham, Harvey " duced by Dr. Carl Mcintire and he is re Rev. Robert V. Dickerson, Long Cedars, N. J. ~ sponsible for it. Beach, Calif. Rev. Emanuel A. Peters, Merchant- Rev. A. Franklin Faucette, Lakewood, ville, N. J. All' communications may be addressed to the secretary-treasurer of the Com Ohio. Rev. Charles E. Richter, Collings- Mr. Eugene E. Ganz, Manchester, wood, N. J. mittee, the Rev. Arthur G. Slaght, 1630 S. Hanover St., Baltimore 30, Md. Mo. Rev. F. Burton Toms, Bristol, Tenn. Page 12 THE FREE PRESS May 4, 1956 Statement on Dr. Buswell ACCC Issues Statement on 30 Churches Act for BPCA Dr. J. Oliver Buswell, Jr., formerpresi From the time the first announce dent of Shelton College, in an article in ment concerning the Bible Presbyterian the Bible Presbvterian Obseruer, April, Dr. Cari Mcintiie and Leaders Church Association was made, 30 churches 1956, makes certain statements concern have already acted and individuals have ing which we are in a position to give tes Of the Council signed up from a number of others. timony. The Bible Presbyterian Church As The American Council of Christian sociation was received in F'?~t \Vorth on 1. Referring to a statement which Churches in session at Fort Worth, Dr. McIntire is' alleged to have made be April the 25th by the American Council of fore the Presbytery of New Jersey, Jan Texas, April 27, 1956, goes on record as Christian Churches as a constituent body, uary 14, 1956, Dr. Buswell wrote, "Dr. being most mindful and appreciative of replacing the Bible Presbyterian Synod. Mcintire said, 'Dr. Buswell was removed the leadership God has given the Council, From the responses indicated, it ap [from Shelton]. Nobody wanted to save and with the way in which He has en pears that more than a majority of the him more than me [sic]. I opposed the dowed these leaders with the necessary churches will continue in the American removal of Dr. Buswell, and many people gifts, vision, guidance, wisdom, and Council of Christian Churches and the In turned to me and said, 'Why have you strength to serve the Lord acceptably in ternational Council of Christian Church gone soft?' Buswell is my brother . . .' these perilous times of apostasy, compro es, and that there will be individuals in This statement of Dr. Mcintire's is con mise, and constant attack. almost every church who will also con trary to fact." The American Council is particularly tinue in fellowship with the councils. We are witnesses to the fact that Dr. appreciative of the service and fidelity of ,McIntire's statement is true. Further Dr. Carl McIntire-his courageous stand, that if he was removed from that Board, more, Dr. Buswell was not present in the his faithful presentation of the Gospel, he would take the issues and spread them Board when the discussion to which Dr. his editing of the Christian Beacon, his before the whole world, and that there McIntire referred took place. He had initiative in carrying the fight into the would be started another council of temporarily stepped out of the Board's citadels of the foe throughout the world, churches ...' This statement of Dr. Mc presence while the Board was discussing including his recent leading of a "Truth Intire's is false." the problems. For him, therefore, to Squad" to Australia, and the sponsoring categorically say that this statement of of the Faith and Freedom Rallies soon We are witnesses to the fact that this Dr. McIntire's is contrary to fact is be to be held in the cities of Philadelphia, statement of Dr. McIntire accurately rep yond his knowledge or power to say as a New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. resents what Dr. Buswell said, with con personal witness. siderable vehemence, before the Board. We therefore resolve, that we com We testify also that during some of the 2. "Dr. McIntire voted in favor of mit our brother, Carl McIntire, to the sessions of the Board we called Dr. Bus the motion to ask me to resign on account grace, love, and protecting care of God; well's attention to things which he had of my suggestion that Shelton College that we assure him of our constant pray said in our presence and which he, in our might be consolidated with the new Bible ers; that we give him every possible sup presence, also denied that he had ever Presbyterian College." port and call upon the Lord's people said. It was this condition which we saw Dr. Buswell did not make any such everywhere to do the same; and zealously in Dr. Buswell that seriously complicated suggestion to the Board. The informa press the battle which the Lord has com our dealings with him and was one of the tion concerning his suggestion came from mitted to the American Council of Chris factors that finally led the Board in its a letter which Max Belz had written and tian Churches. unanimous decision to remove him as Dr. Buswell denied, in the presence of the president. Board, that it was his suggestion. So far as we know, this is the first time that Dr. by the Board until the members of the Signed: Buswell had admitted that it was his sug Board brought :;).e information that it was GEORGE F. KURTZ gestion, for he repeatedly denied, in the his suggestion l the Board's attention. JACK W. MURRAY presence of the Board, that it was and he H. E. HAMMER never even brought such a suggestion to 3. Buswell says, "Dr. Mclntire said the Board. The matter was not discussed of me, 'He told us in that Board meeting JAMES E. BENNET

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