THE FREE PRESS

VOL. I - No.2 1630 S. Hanover St., Baltimore 30, Md. July 28, 1955 The Formation and Testimony Of the Bible Presbyterian Church

BY CARL McINTIRE, D.D.

PASTOR OF THE BIBLE PRESBYTERIAN CHUJl.CH, COLLINGSWOOD, N. J.

"Let every man take heed how he tics came into play in regard to their 2. buildeth thereupon." operation and direction. It was this sys­ When the Bible Presbyterian Church tem, built up through 'tIhe years, that the The Presbyterian Guardian, just pre­ was 'formed in 1938 and its constitution modernIsts actually captured. vious to the General Asserqbly of the Presbyterian Church in 1936, contained adopted, certain foundations were laid. Here are historical evidences; It was my privilege to !be among those an article, "What Should True Presby­ terians Do at the 1936 General Assem­ who helped start this testimony and I 1. served as a member of the committee bly?" which was reported at length in which drafted the constitution of the Christianity Today, Mid-June, 1933, the Christian Beacon of May 21, 1936. church. Vol. 4, No.2, contains the first and his­ Dr. Machen specifically refers to such a toric announcement of the iormation of machine, "The ecclesiastical machine has We had come through bitter trials at done its work too well and the apostasy !he 'hands of the Presbyterian Church the Independent Board for Presbyterian Fo~~gn Missions. After reporting the of the Church has progressed too far In the U.S.A. The lessons learned in since 1923." Then he advises: "If by that experience we wanted to write per­ decISion of the General Assembly in "accepting the majority report of the some oversight of the machine, you are manently into the structure of the new elected to one of the important com­ Presbyterian testimony being established. Committee on Foreign Missions, express­ ing confidence in the Board," the article mittees, do not sign on the dotted line. It was our thought to build cautiously, Bring in a minority report." Further, carefully, to set up adequate safeguards. states, "The formation of a new Board was therefore announced at Columhus, in his hostility to the machine, he said: Eighteen years have passed and we but only after an earnest effort to reform "Be sure you speak to the specific point ha,:e now come to a crisis in our Synod the olel Board had broken itself upon the that i~ under discussion. Even if you do whIch was never anticipated. The church a£lamant walls of ecclesiastical bureauc­ so, you may 'be ruled out of order by is being changed and made into a differ­ racy." 'the Moderator, who, of course, will rep­ ent type of denomination from that resent the machine." which I mys~1f have given time and Thus, from the very first, "ecclesiasti­ strength to help build through these cal bureaucracy" was a part of the strug­ 3. gle. years. The Case for Compromise, a pamphlet The 18th General Synod saw our first consisting of a series of articles which "political caucus." "Bible Presbyterian appeared in the Christian Beacon writ­ politics" was a phrase that we have heard ten by Dr. H. McAllister Griffith~ oon­ ~or !h~ first time. "Men are out politick­ On the last day of the 18th Gen­ tains a section which discusse~ the ~ng' IS another expression, and there eral Synod of the Bible Presbyte­ machine: IS talk of "the machine." In view of rian Church, meeting irt St. Louis, "The boards of the church, appearing ~ese . developments, there are certain Mo., there was formed, independent histoncal facts that all need to consider. of the Synod, a Committee for True at first a {lundred years ago as instru­ Presbyterianism, by a number of ments of action, have Ibecome the great I brethren who were seriously con­ and absorbing interest of those at the top. The church has developed a bu­ AN FCCLESIASTICAL MACHINE WAS cerned by the events of the Synod and the change which had taken reaucracy-an expensive one-also by ONE OF THE FACTORS IN THE PRESBY­ what seemed administrative necessity. TElUAN CHURCH IN THE U.S.A. THAT place in the BIble Presbyterian Church. The purpose of this Com­ Now bureaucracies are dangerom lhings. WAS A POINT AT ISSUE IN THE GREAT Instead of existing fvr th'_ sake of the STRUGGLE WHICH LED TO THE SEPARA­ mittee is

Work of the Church Through Official This indisputable evidence ought to sionary Operations of the Church." Agencies, when that is the passion of settle the question in the minds of many :In the conduct of the missionary work their lives, they are creating the very concerning the place of the issue of the of the Presbyterian Church two distinct psychological situation out of which ecclesiastical machine in the great strug­ functions are then described: totalitarian churches are born . . . . The gle in which we engaged with the Pres­ "1. The functions which are strictly great thing to those who (~nconsciously) byterian Church in the U.S.A. Some ecclesiastical, and which have to do with hold to this view, is the outward organi­ would tell us now the issue was only the training and ordination of men for zation of the church. The budget must modernism. It was both. missionary work, the giving to ministers be raised. The boards and agencies, the N ow that the Bible Presbyterian thus set apart their misisons and author­ job-employing, fund-dispensing anns are Church has found, first, a caucus oper­ ity as evangelists, the ultimate determin­ really the church. Everything else exists ating in POlitical fashion, and, second, a ation as to where they shall labor and for them. The church is a vast reservoir drive for Synod-controlled agencies sup­ how long they shall remain in their field of contributions to be tapped. Individuals ported hy this caucus, we are moving to of laIbor, and the responsibility for the who are members of the church are bound develop the ;;arne kind of system which manner in which they discharge their to support its official agencies to the full crea.tes and feeds an ecclesiastical duties. 'extent of their ability." machine. "2. The functions which are purely The article then says, ' "Modernism II administrative, and which provide the was coupled with bureaucracy, and the ways and means for sending the mission­ combination was irresistible." THE MANDATE OF 1934 WITH THE aries commissioned by the Church to Had the church not developed the bu­ STUDIES OF THE CONSTITUTION FOCUSED their respective fields of labor and of sus­ reaucracy which the machine operated, ATTENTION PARTICULARLY ON THE taining them when they are there." MACHINE OF THE CHURCH. 'there never would have been official agen­ The section then offers an entire divi­ cies for the denomination to order men This focusing of attention upon the sion entitled, "1. The Ecclesiastical Func­ fo support! It was in contrast to this machine was twofold. First, the machine tions": "All ecclesiastical functions must situation that independent agencies, such produced the Mandate, under the lead­ by their very nature be exercised exclus­ ~ the Independent Board.for Presbyte­ en~hip of William B. Pugh, stated clerk ively through the judicatories of the rian Foreign Missions, were started by of the General Assembly, who, with those Church." Here is the argument that it those who were protesting against the closely associated with him in the boards is Presbyterian and in accord with the lIIOrlernist control of the machine. and agencies, were running the church. whole position of the Presbyterian Church 4. Second, it demanded that the machine­ in the U.S.A. that it direct in ecclesi­ controlled boards and agencies actually astical matters their missionaries under The Christian Beacon, November ' 5, be supported by the members of the Inde­ 1936, carried an editorial entitled "A their own boards. We now hear it in pendent Board for Presbyterian Foreign our own midst. Machine," in which I said: "The Presby­ Missions and others of the church. A terian Church in the U. S. A. is run by machine used the authority of the church In "2. Administrative Functions," we a machine. Nobody dOUlbts this. Those to endeavor to compel support under read: "It is under this power of super­ who have left the denomination have left pressure of .the boards and agencies intendence that the Presbyterian Church the tyranny of this machine which mani­ which the machine delighted to use for through

that it can best administer the missionary indicating that questions concerning this Board for Presbyterian Foreign Mis­ work of the Presbyterian Church under missionary should be handled through sions took at that time under the lead­ its own ecclesiastical authority through the presbytery. Here was the raising of ership of Dr. Machen and which gave Boards of its own appointment." the very same issue involving ecclesias­ birth to our Bible Presbyterian position. tical functions. It is tbis very emphasis which some of Let us go slow, brethren. We must the present leaders in the Bible Presby­ -It seems almost incredible that after not go back under a yoke of bondage terian Church are now arguing and main­ 18 years there should arise within the with an ecclesiastical machine to help the taining in behalf of the missionary work Bible Presbyterian Church a position cause along. of the Bible Presbyterian Synod. From among a number of the brethren which a letter written by one of our Bible Pres­ uses the same arguments that are found 3. byterian ministers I quote: "Independent in the attack of the Presbyterian Church agencies sounded good when M! began in the U.S.A. upon the Independent In the "Introductory Note" to "Sttfd.ies our Church but the theory is now being! Board for Presbyterian Foreign Mis­ of the Constitution" one of the ques­ demonstrated faulty." sions ! History repeats? If such argu­ tions of "greail: seriousness" was "the ments are accepted, the day will come extent of the control which the Church After these arguments are presented, has over its judicatories and churches important conclusions are drawn as they when the position of the Bible Presby­ terian Church in regard to the control in the matter of their gifts to benevolent relate to independent agencies, and it is causes." This section on the missionary my position which we are seeking now of its boards and agencies in the name of being Presbyterian will be the same as offerings argues in behalf of the respon­ to defend, that the arguments in support sibility of the denomination through its of Synod-controlled agencies, which are that of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. This must be understood and re­ General Assembly, since it repres~ts the .now being advanced by some of the whole church, to ,be responsible for the .brethren, logically and automatically in­ sisted with all the strength of those in the church who went through those days missionary contributions of the whole volve the destruction of the independent denomination. This is now one of the agencies. At l~t, their position is com­ of struggle in defense of a true Presby­ terian poistion and of Christian liberty. 'criticisms of the independent agencies. pletely undermined by such arguments, For instance, the general secretary of and, though men are willing to accept Shall they say in the Bible Presbyte­ the National Missions Committee ·has the presence· of independent agencies per­ rian Church that the Independent Board maintained that, before Faith Theologi­ haps for a time, inevitably the church for Presbyterian Foreign Missions "was cal Seminary purchased its new property, built upon the new principles will arise, a mistake" and that Dr. Machen was the Synod should have .been consulted, and already long steps were taken at the "unpresbyterian" in forming it? Shall because so much financial burden was 18th General Synod by the creation of the U.S.A. Presbyterian Church be vin­ being put on the movement. other Synod-controlled agencies. dicated at Bible Presbyterian hands in its position that Assembly-controlled Another section of "Studies of the The fonowing is a quota,tion from boarps are P~byterian? Constitution." dealing with the history "Studies of the Constitution"; of the church, defends this position at 2. "The foregoing outline of the ecclesi­ length and comes 'Up with certain con­ astical and administrative functions which "Studies of the Constitution" speak of clusions that the church must suppott the Constitution recognizes in the oon­ . "our Board" as opposed to the Inde­ the officially approved agencies of the duct of the missionary work of the de­ pendent Board. A similar emphasis has denomination. The pressure at this point nomination clearly reveals how impos­ arisen in Bible Presbyterian circles, and goes very, very far. It states: "4. The sible it is ·for any independent Agency or in discussing "A Brief Summary of the General Assembly by virtue of its power Board to carry on missionary operations Action of the 145th General Assembly in to interpret authoritati.... ely the Constitu·· within the Presbyterian Church." Endorsing the Board of Foreign Mis­ tion and ,to superintend the concerns of Yet the Independent Board for Pres­ sions" we are told point blank that, for the whole Church has consistently byterian Foreign Missions was taking the members of the Independent Board throughout its entire ~ist ory defined with missionaries within the Presbyterian not to accept the decision of the General particularity the dbligation of all those Church and sending them out, appealing Assembly in approving the Board of affiliated with -the Church to fulfill all for funds, and securing support withit), Foreign Missions and their establishing Cons-titutional provisions with reference the Presbyterian Church. the Independent Board, they "refused to to missionary offerings, and to support accept the authority "Of the Assembly and the authorized missionary work of the Writing of any independent board or proceeded to constitute themselves, in denomination in proportion to the ability agency for Presbyterian foreign missions, contempt of the Assembly's action, an of each." it .says: ''When it assumes the direction Independent Board for Presbyterian For­ or supervision of any minister in the eign Missions." The late Dr. ] . Gresham Machen was PreSbyterian Church, when it regards particularly vigorous in his opposition I have received a letter from one of that minister as a missionary under its to this whole concept. A denomination care, when it determines directly or in­ our beloved Bible Presbyterian brethren directly by its authority or influence the in which he says that the fonnation of sets up its official agencies, then it puts place or character of his labors, when it the I'ndependent Board for Presbyterian pressure on the people to support these demands an accountai:>i1ity to it on the Home Missions by a group of Bible Pres­ official agencies. 'It is this line of develop­ part of the minister, it sUbverts the whole byterians at the present time is in "con­ ment that we begin to hear in the Bible tempt" of the brethren of the Synod. '.system of Presbyterian Church Govern- Presbyterian Church in support of the .ment, and subjects its officers and mem­ This realm of thought, which we re­ establishment and mainlenance of Synod­ bers to the discipline of the Church." sisted in our ecclesiastical trials and to controlled agencies. A loyal Bible Pres­ When our present Independent Board which the denomination endeavored to for Presbyterian Foreign Missions calls hold Us under the 'Qrdinail:ion vow of be­ byterian will stand by "our official agen­ one of its missionaries before it to ques­ ing subjec;t to your br'!thren in the Lord, cies." Christian giving, on the other tion him concerning some of his activities, now arises within our own midst. I do not hand, according to Scripture, is· free, one of the presbyteries of the Bible believe these brethren have ever read and, as Machen emphasized it, can never Presbyterian Church addressed a com­ "Studies of the Constitution" or under­ become "taxed" or supported by penal­ munication to this Board dbjecting and stanp the position which the Independent ties of any kind. Page 4 THE FREE PRESS July 28, 1955

III of the Board) and still he pastor of a AT ITS FORMATION DID NOT MAINTAIN church which was not connected with a THE POSITION THAT TRUE PRESBYTERIAN­ I N THE BREAK WHICH CAME IN THE Synod or General Assembly. The issue ISM CALLED FOR OFFICIALLY CONTROLLED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA · was Presbyterianism versus Congrega­ DENOMINATIONAL BOARDS AND AGE NCIES. (NOW THE ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN tionalism or independency. To take the CHURCH) THE QUESTION OF A MACHINE position that in order to be Presbyterian Much has been made of the one para­ ARISING IN THAT DENOMINATION WAS a man has to be identified with a particu­ graph which was placed in the Form ONE OF THE ISSUES INVOLVED. tar Presbyterian group or a Presbyterian of Government on this matter, and it needs careful consideration by God's peo­ The division which took place at the synod does not follow. There were seri­ ple, because there is much confused think­ beginning of the Bible Presbyterian ous questions in many men's minds con­ ing concerning it. It reads: "The Gen­ Church with the Presbyterian Church of cerning what was dev~loping in the Pres­ eral Synod tnay at its own discretion America centered around the questions byterian Church of America, and a group set up committees to act as its agents in of premillennialism, Christian liberty or in that church actually took control of conducting ,benevolent, missionary, and the use of fermented beverages, the Gen- the denomination in its Third General educational enterprises, or it may com­ eral Assembly's repudiation of the Inde- Assembly and sectlred the repUdiation of mend to the churches for their support pendent Board for Presbyterian Foreign the Independent Board because it was such other Christian enterprises." Missions and the attendant ecclesiastical not PreSbyterian in the practice of fun­ machine which came into view. damental principles of church govern- 1. Church history records the great ment, and set up its own Assembly-con­ The question of whether Synod does change which took place in the Presby- trolled agency. 'It was in this particular or does not control an agency is a matter terian Church of America. At its Second context, when the small group withdrew of its "discretion." The Synod in its General Assembly it commended the In- and signed the Articles of Association, discretion could have not a single board dependent Board for Presbyterian For- that the reference to "fundamental prin­ or agency to act as its agent, and work eign Missions as follows: "It [the Assem- ciples" which appeared in those Articles entirely through independent agencies I bly] takes a special pleasure in commend- of Association must be interpreted! If a Synod did not have a single Synod­ ing the program and work of the Inde- It was not a "fundamental principle of controlled board or agency, the Bible pendent Board for Fresbyterian Foreign Presbyterian church government" that ;PreSbyterian Church would still be a Missions to the Church at large, and in the General Assemblv control the Board Presbyterian Church under its consti­ suggesting that this work receive the of Foreign Missions I Nor was it a tution I An ingredient of Presbyterian­ sympathetic co-operation of local churches fundamental principle of Presbyterian ism, according to this constitution, is and church...members, in so far as that church government that a member of the not the fact that the Synod controls may be possible." Independent Board who was Presbyte- its boards and agencies. This section sec­ At the Third General Assembly the rian in his doctrine and practice be a tion cannot used, as it has been, to sup­ whole picture was changed. A Majority member of a particular synod or general port the view that true Presbyterianism Report of the Committee on Foreign assembly at a particular time upon the involves Synod-controlled agencies. Missions recommended the formation of .insistence of a particular group I When 2. an Assembly-controlled agency and de- I joined in "reaffirming our belief in the elared that "the Independent Board for fundamental pri n~iples of Presbyterian The Synod, on the other hand, in its Presbyterian Foreign Missions as it is chu.rch polity," we had no thought that own discretion, could work through only now constituted is out of accord with such principles included the approval of its Synod-controlled agenc~es and elim­ the provisions of its charter and nDot the ' denominationally controlled Board inate endorsement of any independent consistent with the fun damental prin- of Foreign Missions. We still stood by agenices whatsoever. If it did such a ciples of Presbyterian Qlurch govern- the principles for which tile Independent thing, that in itself would not be an ment which are held by the Presbyterian Board had suffered in this matter of element of true Presbyterianism, any Church of America, as evidenced by the church government of the right of being more than the former, but a denomina­ fact that the practice of certain members an independent Board for Presbyterian tional structure would arise like the of the Independent Boa.rd for Presbyte- Foreign Missions wi~hout any connection Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., and rian Foreign Missions, including the with a General Assernbly, Synod, Pres­ it is that which we strenuously oppose. President and Vice-president, in matters bytery, or other particular judicatories ! The arguments which are being advanced of church government is that of Indepen- In the minority report, we simply for this position are that it is Presby­ dency rather than Presbyterianism, which called for a reaffirmation of the action terian to control the agencies. There is practice was virtually endorsed by the of the General Assemhly of the Presby­ no justification for this in this provision. majority of the Independent Board when, terian Church of America which it took 3. at its meeting May 31, 1937, said major- at the Second General Assembly recom­ ity refused to insist that its members mending the Independent Board for On the other hand, the phrases in this bring their practice into accord with the Presbyterian Foreign Missions to the constitution, in the light of the present principles of true Presbyterian Church prayers and support of the members of conflict, say a great deal more than those government, or else resign from said the Presbyterian Church of America. of us who were responsible for putting Board." them in ever realized. It takes history It is amazing how quickly a situation and conflict sometimes to bring out de­ Certain men on the Independent Board changes from one geueral assembly to velopments which were unforseen. There had not joined the Presbyterian Church another. We were not going to be a should have been no conflict, such as of America. I, with John S. Wurts, party to building up a denomination has developed between the two. There brought in a Minority Report, and dis- which would go right back to a Synod­ is the reference, "It may commend to cussed each particular case at length, controlled board when in our ecclesiastical the churches." But suppose it does not quoted from the charter of the Indepen- trials we defended the right to be a Pres­ commend to the churches any of the dent Board its purpose, and pointed out byterian and a member of an rndependent independent agencies at all, how about that a majority of the members of the agency that was Presbyterian. the independent agencies which are Pres­ B'oal'd were members of the Presbyterian IV byterian? Suppose it refused to com­ Church of America. We maintained that mend the 'Independent Board for Pres­ a man could be Presbyterian (a member THE BmLE PRESBYTElUAN CHUJ.CH byterian Foreign Missions? The Pres- July 28, 1955 THE FREE PRESS Page 5 byterian Church in the U.S.A. went so of a Synod-controlled agency. We are General Association of Regular Baptist far as to attack such a board, and we were Bible-believing Presbyterians, 'but at the Churches, the separ."ltist Baptl91: move­ still Presbyterian in supporting that last Genearl Synod we saw a "political ment, up to the present time they have board as the Collingswood Church and caucus" in operation, the instrument of a worked entirely through independent as individuals. Dr. Allan A. MacRae in machine. Then questions were raised Baptist agencies, and I am of the opinion his articles pointed out that our Synod concerning the National Missions Com­ that one real mistaice which we made had had only one major agency, the mitee.· Those who had vested interests was, first, ever to have started a National National Missions Committee, until this financially and were under its support Missions Committee under the control of last Synod. Of course, there have been rushed vigorously to the defense of the the Synod. It was small; it was hardly other smaller committees which have conduct of the National Missions Com­ a committee. There were just two or operated more or less, but in the present mittee's secretary. Yet men who stood three at the beinning; but now it has de­ discussion it is the major agencies of with the secretary later explained that veloped into a committee where there are activity-the National Missions Commit­ t~ey knew the condition revealed was true. real vested interests which can be used tee, the Independent Board for Presbyte­ The whole question of "denominational poltically in the church again91: brethren rian Foreign Missions, Faith Theologi­ secretaries going up to the conventions" and on sides. Second, this particular cal Seminary, Shelton College, a Synod­ has tbeen a powerful one in present-day provision which was put in the constitu­ controlled college, and the like. Protestantism. It is 'iaid that independent tion should never have been placed in The Synod, in the exercise of its dis­ agencies is the Baptist setup. No, the it in tha~ way. -I recall at the time that cretion, in the past has had its face Northern Baptist Convention had its own there was some thought that it might be turned toward the independent agencies. Convention-controlled agencies, too. -A too broad. It has opened the door now for Now a change has taken place, and, in handful of Baptists fought the entrenched a Synod-controlled paper, "the voice of support of the Synod-controlled agen­ power of their boards. When secretaries the denoqlination." At Synod I argued cies, arguments are being presented would go up to the Convention with those that if we are going to have a Synod­ which, if followed consistently, will under its employ and on its pay roll, with controlled paper, "the voice of the de­ tum its face away from the independent vested interests in what the denomina­ nomination," it did not properly come un­ agencies and throw the weight of its tional secretaries wanted, it was calcu­ der this paragraph ' and that we needed work behind and in support .of the of­ lated that a certain percentage of the a constitutional amendment, .but Synod fiically approved denominational pro­ Convention could be counted on in an went ahead on its own authority. We gram. One brother said at Synod, "I issue to vote on behalf of the boards wrote into the constitution, Chapter 1, have voted for my 'last independent agen­ and agencies' leadership before anything' paragraph 9, page 129: "All powers not cy." This situation takes us hack again could be discussed. Votes counted. in this Constitution specifically granted organizationally to the Presbyterian The boards and ;o.gencies in the Pres­ to the courts of the Church are reserved Church in the U.S.A. The time to meet · byterian Church in the U.S.A. were to the congregations respectively, or to these things and settle them is when powerful. It is not modernism that makes the people." Before power can be ex­ the issues are raised. That is now. Peo­ this system bad. It is modernism which ercised for an official voice of the de­ ple must understand the prtnciples. takes over such a system. It is human nomination, -it should specifically be The conflict is over the Committee on weakness, the flesh, and the frailties of granted in the constitution. There is no National Missions-that Committee be­ men that must be guarded against. provision in ~r constitution for a church came actually Exhibit A in showing to paper or a \ voice of the denomination." Again it is said ,that Charles Hodge If we are to have one, it should be us the cqnfiict between th~ Synod-con­ argued for official agencies. Some of trolled agency and the independent agen­ so stated as a power of the Synod to our men follow Hodge at this point and create such a "voice" with such broad in­ cy. The actual possibility is there in the do not realize what happened in the In­ situation which has developed to some ex­ terpretation of the constitution '1.t this dependent Board judicial cases and what place. tent in our midst. The argument led happened to the system of boards and men to vote for three more major Synod­ agencies ,he helped build up! If the his­ The door is open to move on down controlled agencies. tory of the Presbyterian Church in the to a tighter denominational setup with There are those who argue at length U.S.A. teaches anything, it is that we Synod-controlled agencies, and anything for the Synod-controlled agencies, using should not follow in its train. If Charles deemed similar-wtth cries o~ "dis­ the very arguments of the Presbyterian Hodge had thrown his influence at the loyalty," "contempt of brethren,' bt!!ng! Church in the U.S.A. against the inde­ time in behalf of independent agencies, made against those who oppose and de­ pendent agencies. Then they turn around .the Presbyterian' Church might not have light in the freedom which we have as and say, Yes, we are still in favor of developed the way it has. It might have true Presbyterians under God. the independent agencies; we are for been a great deal stronger and freer "Discretion" has to do with an atti­ both. But the arguments for the former today. We must see the error which tude of mind, and when a Synod changes destroy the latter. The inconsistency they made and not commit the same er-' its mind or moves in a different way in involved will express itself in time as time ror again. It was my understanding that exercising discretion, it has changed. has now brought the struggle over Na­ we were going back before those days, I rejoice in the formatjrln of the In­ tional Missions. as Dr. MacRae 'has pointed out, for a dependent Board for P resbyterian Home Then again it is said that it is all right freedom as Presbyto"!rians which would Missions. History repeats itself I I be­ to develop the Synod-controlled agencies give Us a glorious Bible Presbyterian lieve that the issues which it raises in type of church because we are funda­ wi~ess. If there had ·been no. official our midst are exce~dingly healthy; for mentalists; that it was only under mod­ Assembly-controlled ioreign board, no it is demonstrating that some of the ernist leadership thac the old church went machine could have controlled it. If same arguments used against Dr. Machen astray. The answer is that fundamen­ there had been no official board of for­ and the Independent Board for Presby­ talists themselves also can and do run eign missions, no mandate could have terian Foreign Missions have found cur­ machines. You do not have to have been issued to compel support! How rency in our midst, when they should modernism in ofder to have a machine. much better it has been these years to never have been credited within the circle We saw it develop in the Presbyterian have had. the Independent Board for of a denomination which was started to Church of America in the repUdiation of PreSbyterian Foreign Missions with its be free from all of this and to move for­ the Independent Board for Presbyterian appeal being that it is doing a good work! ward in mutual love and confiidence un­ Foreign Missions and the establishment It is interesting to note that in the der the guidance of the Holy Spirit. THE FREE PRESS July 28, 1955 Collingswood Session Writes Sessions of Bible Presbyterian Denomination July 18, 1955 resolution renouncing the jurisdiction of many of them, dewelop and grow. God the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., blessed them. ~ey Cedars Bible To the Sessions of All Bible Presbyt~ testify to these things. The statements Presbyterian Conference, Crescent Lake nan Churches of the late Dr. J. Gresham Machen· at Bible Conference, Quarryville Youth From the Session of the Bible Presbyt~ the time, attacking ' the ecclesiastical Conference, Children for Christ, Delanco . rian Church of o,1lingswotxl machine centering in the boards and agen­ Home for the Aged, Friends of Israd o,11ingswood, N. J. cies of the denomination, represented a Testimony to Christ, Inc., and so on part of our opposition to the Presbyt~ down the line. Beloved Brethren in the Lord: rian Churoh in the U.S.A. It has been only in recent years that We greet you in the name of our Lord When we came into the Bible Presby­ we began to realize that conflict was and Saviour Jesus Christ. the Head of terian Church we thought that safeguards developing between our "Synod-con­ . the Churclt, and we come to you with a were being erected Within the Bible Pres­ trolled agency" and some of the indepen­ report in the spirit of Christian love. Cer­ byterian constitution which would pre­ dent agenices. The one Synod-controlled tain things have transpired in recent vent the development of an ecclesiastical agency, the National Missions Committee, days here in the Collingswood Church, machine with its attendant evils. We were began to be represented as "our board." and on July 14, 1955, a congregational only "a spiritual successor" of the Pres­ All of the others were not our boards. meeting was hdd at which actions were ·byterian Church in the U.S.A. There And there was church authority being taken on which we want you to have ac­ were no "implied powers" in the specific used to promote the Synod-controlled curate information. authority given to the higher courts. The agency which the other agencies did not \This church in Collingswood has con­ phrase, "superintending the concerns of have or use. The National Missions sec­ tributed in every way possible to the the whole church," in the constitution of retary went about as the representative strt;ngthening and building of 'our be­ the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. of the Church and with the authority of loved Bible Presbyterian denomination, was diminated entirdy from .the power the Synod, while the Independent Board and it has been called ".the Mother of our General Synod. Resolutions and secretary went out simply as the repre­ Church." This congregation renounced deliverances were constitutionally de­ sentative of a Board doing an acceptable the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian clared not to be binding on the Church work with no ecclesiastical authority. A Church in the U.S.A. on June 15, 1936, (Form of Government, Chapter 10, Sec­ loyal Bible Presbyterian was led to be­ and became an unaffiliated church, but tion 5). Our relationship was voluntary lieve that his first obligation was to the Presbyteria". At the time we lost our and in no sense was "to be maintained Synod-controlled agency-that was Pres­ civil court case with the possession of by the exercise of any kind of force or byterian! What never should have de­ our property and went into a tent, we coercion whatsoever" (Chapter 3, Sec­ veloped did develop, because inherently took the name "Bible Presbyterian," but tion 2). tllere is a difference which sooner or were still unaffiliated.. The first General .Independent agencies were in existence later began to reveal itself in appeals and Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church which we were supporting for their faith­ pressures. Thus there came .jnto focus met in our tabernac1~, September 6 to 8, fulness to the Gospel-these had 'been a real point of principle which we as a 1938, and at the annual congregational born of the battle, too-including the In­ church have been forced to take cogni­ meeting of the Collingswood Church, dependent Board for Presbyterian For­ zance of as a result of the rapidly develop­ April 11, 1939, we voted to affiliate with eign Missions, the Christian Heacon, and ing situation which came to a head in our the Bible Presbyterian Synod. Faith Theological Seminary, into whose 18th General Synod. We had undergone a long struggle charter it was written that it would never The general secretary of the National within the Presbyterian Church in the be subject to ecclesiastical control. Missions Committee used his position U.S.A., centering primarily in the mem­ We had a . great f~r, and justly so, and .jnfluence to propagandize as a rep­ bership of our pastor, the Rev. Carl Mc­ of the development of an ecclesiastical resentative 'of the Synod for Synod-con­ Intire, in the Independent Board· for machine and the same kind of church out trolled agencies and against certain in­ Presbyterian Foreign Missions: his ec­ of which we had come. In the first Synod dividuals in our denomination, particu­ clesiastical trial by the Presbytery of in Collingswood, only one agency was larly the pastor of the Collingswood West Jersey, and the order. that he esta:blished under the Synod, and it was Church. On official stationery of the be suspended from the ministry and the hardly that, for the National Missions Committee, in a letter written to the Rev. Communion of the church because of his Committee as set up included in its first Oyde J. Kennedy, president of the Board . refusal to obey a deliverance of the Gen- year power to receive presbyteries and of Directors of Highland Callege, the eral AsseoiJly of 1934 directing him to ministers in the interim. Our pastor denominational secretary had this to say resign from the Independent Board and was named its first chairman and the about our pastor and the Greenville Syn­ to support the official AsseInbly-

Churches in Memphis, April 27-29, 1955, the Committee on National Missions we denominational secretaries" seeking to witnesses testified that the secretary con­ saw also developing in regard to the guide polley, and then the boards they ferred with a brother outside of the Bi­ Committee on Christian Education. In represent, under their direction, carrying ble PreSbyterian denomination telling the report of the Committee to integrate it out in the churches I this brother that he had "lost confidence" the work of Christian education in the As a Session, we duly and prayerfully in Dr. MdIntire and that this loss of Biible Presbyterian Church, adopted by considered this development at great confidence had to do with the questions the Synod, there was approved an amend­ length, arrd issued a call for a special of statistics,' Bible balloons, and similar ment for changing the Standing Rules congregational meeting of our people to matters. , of our Synod which said, concerning the di~ss the problem as it relates particu­ When our pastor, with the knowledge Committee: "This Committee shall have larly to National Missions and to ChriS­ and backing of Ibis session, presented some as its responsibinty the planning and tian Education-should we help build of these matters pertaining to the gen­ cfll"'rying out of a full /Wogram of instruc­ what we left I eral secretary's activities to Synod for tion and, training in our churches so that T.his congregation fought for its liberty their correction, a standing vote of con­ the members and constituents thereof to be Presbyteri,an and also free to sup­ fidence and ovation was given to the de­ may understand and have a sincere com­ port a mission agency which was neither nominational secretary. mitment to the Standards of our Church; under control nor approved, but, in fact, and that information and assistance may . In many ways there was a parallel be­ had the 'Stem denunciation of the General be given to interested individuals and Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in tween the procedure of Dr. J. Gresham churches not yet affiliated with our Machen in carrying his questions con­ the U.S.A. itself. Our pastor resisted Church.. . This Committee shall consist the authority crf the Assembly when it cerning the Board of Foreign Missions of three classes of seven members each" to the General Assembly of the Presby­ sought to direct him and to put pressure (underscoring ours). This does not say , upon him to support the officially con­ terian Churoh in the U.S.A. in 1933 and the Committee shall have the responsi­ the ovation as given to Dr. Robert E. trolled Assembly agency. OU'1' Synod, of hility of planning a program and recom­ course, has not gone that far, but the Speer, the denominational secretary, and mending it to the churches for their ac­ what happened in Dr. MoIntire's case, pattern is here, the pressure is on, that, ceptance and consideration, but "carrying to be Presbyterian, these agencies must with the problem centering around the out of a full program of instruction and National Missions Committee and his come under the authority of the Synod training in our churches." Here we have and must have our support. So we have carrying of his questions to the General . a denominational agency, officially ap­ Synod and the consequent ovation given heard it said that not to tback them is to proved, with the authority of the Synod be in contempt of Synod and not subject to the denominational secretary; The Na­ in its Standing. Rules. planning a pro- tional Missions Committee likewise, under to our brethren, These very arguments . . gram and planning to carry it out in our Mr. McIntire deldt with in his ecclesi­ the secretary's leadership, not merely churches I This statemeqt, . brethren, is established new churches to carry on the astical trial. On the other hand, we believe strikingly similar to those which appear that our fellowship is voluntary, that we work of building the church, but took in "Studies in the Constitution'! 'Of the on a considerable political complexion, must Ibe free, that Christian giving is a Presbyterian Ch'urch in the U. S. A., mktter between God and the ,individual, with those under it having vested in­ 1934, and'its attached Mandate, where the terests, concerned financially in loans and and that power in our Church rests with officially approved program is authorized the people who elect us as elders and other things, and rallying to the support to be carriid out in the churches, and of the National Missions secretary, when send us as their representatives to the where the churches are to support it, courts of the Church. instead honest questions and evidence even to the full measure of their ability. needed to be considered ·for the good In view of these developments, we of the church. , This manifestation of Synod's power consequently welcomed, as a Session, the Out of this developing picture, we saw in support of this Christian Educatibn formation of an Independent Board for at St. Louis our denomination's first Committee is the type of thing which we Presbyterian Home Missions patterned caucus, when one of the elders of this thought we had left behind. It is the after the Independent Board for Pres­ Session providentially found it in session. exaltation Qf this pOwer of the Synod in byterian Foreign Missions, free from Its floor leader was' appointed, a program an authoritative way over the churches ecclesiastical control, without vested in­ or slate of business desired was agreed t.'o which we take serious and definite terest in an ecclesiastical system, and not upon, the mem'bers of the caucus agreed objection. It may be said that the lan­ in any way under obligations to a denom­ to scatter out through the Synod, and guage of the new 'Standing Rule may be inational secretary and his interests or there 'was a plan of action to take over unfort~nate, or does not mean what it concern. In supporting this new agency the Synod for certain Synod-controlled seems to say, but it is an expression of we are just as Presbyterian as we were agencies. Our delegates testified that what has happened in our changed Synod. in 1933 when we suWorted the Indepen­ they witnessed a labor union type of meet­ It represents the drive ior "a tighter dent Board ,for Presbyterian Foreign ing. Our: 18th General Synod finished church" and the expression of men who Missions, and we are no more in con­ with the approval of :1 Synod-controlled say, "Now we have more of a Presbyte­ tempt of Synod or our brethren than we college (provisional until two-thirds of rian Church." were in 1933. Our position remains the same. . the presbyteries ratify), a Synod-con­ !Again, the denominational secretary of trolled official paper to be the voice of this agency we found standing at Synod's There is indeed in many ways, after the denomination, and Q. new integrated door distributing a mimeographed brief eighteen years, a strange parallel in posi­ Synod-controlled Committee on Christian supporting the ,position that to be Pres­ tion and arguments. We firmly believe Education with very hroad powers. At byterian .we must have Synod-controlled that the independent agencies, free from this one :Synod a basic, fundamental tum agencies, and we are confronted with the denominational control, represent the best in our setup was made, and evidence of building of a denomination with its boards position from which to advance the work the old ecclesiasticism we once forsook and agencies seeking to run and direct of tthe Lord. and t'O free 'US from these arose in our midst. Our six elders re­ the affairs of the church with the auth­ dangers which have now in some degree turned with a unanimous report concern­ ority of the Church behind it. In this there again come upon us. ing the Synod which was presented to inevitably comes the machine and, if After lengthy consideration, the con­ our congregation in a public gathering. necessary, the caucus to obtain the de­ gregation of the Collingswood Church What we saw developing in regard to sired end. It is the old story of "the (Continued on page 8) Page 8 THE FREE PRESS July 28, 1955 Why the Official Synod-controlled College of the Bible Presbyterian Church Authorized by the 18th General Synod Should Not Be Approved by Presbyteries "Mutual love and confidence" brings one with another as churches are purely by the Synod. One provision was added, blessed fellowship in Christ. When voluntary, and, as we have said so many that the Synod's action was t(' be rati­ the Bible Presbyterian Church was times, the Holy Spirit is the One who fied by two-thirds of the presbyteries be- established, this emphasis was constant- gives us this mutual love as we delight fore it was final. . ly before our minds and we wrote in our eternal redemption and our com­ Dr. Allan A. Mas:Rae, in the first into the constitution; "P art i cui a r panionship together in obedience to the issue of The Fr,e Pre.;s, discussed the churches need remain in association with commands of Christ. principles involved in the matter of the Bible PreSbyterian Church only so We must have love, and it was this Synod-controlled agencies, and presented long as they themselves desire. The re- emphasis that we felt needed great un­ the position of the Scriptures. With lationship is voluntary, based only upon derscoring at our 18th General Synod these I fully agree and I believe they mutual love and confidence, and is in where there was so much tension and represent the principles on which we, as no sense to be maintained by the exercise ronflict, and out of which conflict, near a B~ble Presbyterian Church, was of any kind of force or coercion what- the close of the Synod, action was secured founded. soever. A particular church may witb- for the Synod's authorizing the establish­ ·In the discussion and conflict which draw at any time for reasons which seem ment of an official Svnod-controlled col­ ha,ve already developed over the question sufficient to itself" (Form of Govern- lege for the denomiIi'ation, under the di­ ment, Chapter 3, Section 2). Our ties rection of a committee of seven elected (Continued on page 9)

Collingswood Session,,', we should help build a system like the rian, the other is not; that those who one we renounced, so that when some favor the one are Presbyterian, the others (Continued from page 7) issue may divide the church, the boards are Congregational. One is democratic voted to support the unanimous recom­ and agencies with their vested advantages and the other is oot. One is responsible mendations of their Session, which were can be used on one side or another with for the financial giving of the Church, as follows: the attendant political maneuvering and the other is not. These arguments were 1. That funds now going to th~ Com­ power. To develop a Synod which will used against the Independent Board for mittee on National Missions of the Bible control in any proper way these boards Presbyterian Foreign Missions in the Presbyterian Church be directed to the a~~ .agencies would involve such respon­ trial of our pastor, and when this Col­ Independent Board for Presbyterian slbilles, as Synod grows, that we will lingswood Church took its stand, it re­ Home Missions, recently organized. have real bureaucracy. pudiated all of this, that "Presbyterian­ As a Session we are opposed to the ism" included official boards and agencies, 2. That individual churches, now being Synod-controlled college. The very Synod or Assembly-controlled. supported /by the Committee on National thought of putting in the hands of seven 'We believe that we were a true Pres­ N:issions, be written to and asked if they men, ~s was done, unlimited authority to byterian church when we renounced the would we willing to receive funds through c.o~mlt our Synod financially, with no jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church the new Board for Home Missions. limits l;lpon property or mortgages, is in the U.S.A. and we said. so in our 3. That the balance of $1,500 now being surely Irresponsible. resolution. And we were a true Pres­ paid the general secretary of the Com­ byterian church during those years when mittee on National Missions, the Rev. Our concern for Synod, our desire to see churches established, is as great as we were unaffiliated. We supported Thomas G. Cross, be not paid any fur­ Presbyterian doctrines and the funda­ ther; also that the balance of undesig­ ~ver, for we realize the desperate need 10 our land. This congregation has given ental principles of Presbyterian Olurch nated funds of $1,515 now being paid Government, and, when we affiliated with monthly to the Committee on National $94,000 toward the establishment of churches through the National Missions a Synod, we desired to promote these Missions be directed to the Independent yery matters, not. with a view to develop- Board for Presbyterian Home Missions. Committee. We believe now that under the new independent' agency the whole 109 a Synod which would again become 4. That the balance of $500 designated a power over us and exercise un-Pres­ for the Committee on Christian Educa­ movement of estahlishing church~ will progress more rapidly, with a wider circle byterian influences upon us, as we sought tion ·be diverted to the Committee on as a free people to carry on the work of Tru...e Presbyterianism. of oontact, and a much broader circle of support financially, and that the basic preaching the Gospel and maintaining . The Committee on True Presbyterian­ the standards of our Confession of Faith Ism was set up at the close of Synod by concern which is ours of establishing true Presbyterian churches will be more and Catechisms. It is our earnest prayer those who objected to the establishment that God may lead and undertake, heal of-a Synod-controlled college, and it has quickly advanced for the glory of God and the challengeng of the great apos­ and strengthen, and that our Synod shall issued The Free Press paper. Our money be united, that genuine brotherly love for Christian Education- will now go to tasy. Our action is based we feel on high principle, our histori~ stand ' bit- may return, that confidence may be re­ that independent committee for the pur­ . ' stored where it has. been broken, aq.d pose of helping to inform the members ter expe1"lence, and sound common sense. that we shall go on to evangelize the lost, of our denomination of the turn of events We have heard the arguments of the Synod-controlled agencies, and it is in­ to call people out of the apostate denom­ with a view to helping to save the Church inations, and to build a free, true Bible deed a co~cern to us that .the same argu­ ~nd to restore 1t again to its former posi­ Presbyterian Church in a spirit of ~utual ments which were used 10 the "Studies tion. love and confidence. It is our prayer that God wil resolve of the Constitution" of the :Presbyterian our difficulties and that we may be able Church in the U.S.A. in 1934 are argu­ Yours faithfully in Christ, to go on to build a great Presbyterian ments that are now being advanced within JAMES I. LooUE movement in this country, free from eccle­ our own Synod in behalf of Synod-con­ Staled Clerk siasticism, political machines, and behind­ trolled agencies as opposed to the inde­ :By order of the Session of the-scenes caucuses. We do not feel that pendent agencies-that one is Presbyte- the Bible Presbyterian Church July 28, 1955 THE FREE PRESS Page 9

Board of Directors of Highland College on the difficult issues at the time but resianed March 1, 1955, as president, and which later more or less went to pieces, Why the . . . tension and conflict which had developed Dr. Rayburn explained that they had no (Continued from page 8) within the college broke forth into a plan for the establishment of another col­ of a Synod-controlled colleg~ we have. an division when some 40 students walked lege and that what they were operating illustration of the very thmgs agamst out of the college and asked Dr. Ray­ at the time was actually not another col­ which Dr. MacRae has so clearly warned, burn to be their leader. lege. and it is with these particular experiences Previous to Synod, as the Highland There have been two oolleges -Mth that I propose to deal in pointing out which our Synod has co-operated-Shel­ that . under no circumstances should our College isuse as it was called was dis­ cussed throughout the church, it was ton and Highland. As 'Was said on the presbyteries proceed to approve of this floor of Synod, if a ,group desires a third college and bring upon us as a Synod constantly said, "We must wait until af­ ter Synod." It was believed that the college and ,feels it can get support for greater difficulties. Let me list these it, let it start that college independent developments: Highland CoIlege question would be brought before Synod and discussed. Ac­ of the Synod, carry on the work as it I tuaIly, though the Highland College feels led of the Lord, but not project the question was in the minds of many and whole controversy into the Synod in THE OFFICIAL BIBLE PRESBYTERIAN an official way by asking that the Synod SYNOD-CONTROLLED COLLEGE IS THE determined the decision that was made in many cases, there was no open dis­ take sides and by demanding what ~ DIRECT OUTGROWTH OF .THE CONFLICT cussion of what happened at Highland considered by many a "vindication" of CENTERING AROUND HIGHLAND COLLEGE College. A few references to Highland those who left Highland College. OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA. College were made in speeches. Behind Must we have an official Synod-con­ The overture which !brought this the scenes it was learned that the Com­ trolled oollege which in its final analysis question before the Synod came from the mittee on Credentials, according to re­ bas !been started in order to vindicate Presbytery of the Upper Mi?,:,~st as a ports that were circulated, was against somebody in one way Qr another? I think direct consequence of the dIVISIon and the endorsement of Highland College by these factors are in the picture and need conflict that had developed around High­ the Bible Presbyrterian Church, and, to ,be taken into account by the people of land CoIlege. I was a member of the Bills rather than pre<:ipitate a long !battle just the ,Synod in their consideration of and Overtures Commibtee. When the over Highland College, the directors of whether we want a Synod-controlled col­ overture was presented, the chairman of the college did not request thaJt Highland lege, and especially as to whether we want the Committee suggested that represen­ College be approved by the Synod. Even this particular Synod-controlled college. tatives of the Presbytery he caIled before the report of the Credentials Committee born of these circumstances. I think .the Committee to find out what they had did not come before Synod where these all can agree that the results of what in mind concerning such an overture. matters could have been discussed. has happened have not contnbuted to The explanation that was given to the peace or mutual love. Jf that situation Committee was that it was the conflict The evidence, we believ.e, overwhelm­ ingly supports the proposition that the is to be perpetuated under a Synod-con­ of Highland CoIlege which raised the present Synod-controlled coIlege is not trolled colIege, we are in for further dif­ question and led to the formulation of only 'the outgrowth of the Highland Col­ ficulties and conflicts involving deep the overture. Thus in the most direct lege difficulty, but it is proposed to start emotions. way the Highland College conflict brought the question of a Synod-controlled col­ it with the nucleus of the group that with­ II drew from Highland College. lege to the floor of Synod i,tself. High­ THE OFFICIAL BIBLE PREsBYTERIAN, This means that the issues in the con­ land is an independent agency, not un­ SYNOD-CONTltOLLED COLLEGE "TAS AP­ der the control of Synod, with the ma­ flict at Highland College are going to con­ PROVED BY THE 18TH GENERAL S YN OD jority of the members of its Board of tinue to be agitated through the church, FOLLOWING AND WITH THE ASSISTA CE Directors being ministers and members as even now they are, in the discussion OF THE FIRST "POLITICAL CAUCUS" IN of Bihle Presbyterian churches. which takes place over the official col­ BmLE PItESBYTERIAN HiSTORY. lege itself. On :the floor of Synod, in the debate A caucus is a meeting of representa­ over approval of the proposal to establish The merits of the various issues in­ tives in a democratic body outside of an official Synod-controIled coIlege, volved in the Highland College situation that Ibody for the purpose of planning when appeal was made for delay and were never discussed one way or another and endeavoring to secure through the further consideration, it was pointed out by the Synod itself. So, in effect the body itself certain desired actions. that there was a group of students for Synod has taken one side of the contro­ whom Dr. Robert G. Rayburn had been versy and gathered up the students for Through the years of our Bible Pres­ providing leadership and members of a its new college without considering or byterian Church, in mutual love and con­ faculty already in existence which could deciding the merits of the issues involved. fidence we have met together. Follow­ constitute the beginning of this Syuod­ ing seasons of prayer there have been controlled college. Highland College, though, of course, discussions of the vario·.l ~ problems, and hurt by the break, still has its property, votes have been taken, and we have There seemed to be no question but a student body, and a, faculty, and Bible moved along together with a spirit of that the new college, if i,t were established, Presbyterian pastors and leaders are op­ oneness in the great 'battle to which God would be under the leadership in the main erating It, and it is going ahead. Accord­ has called us. of Dr. Rayburn himself, and this was the ing to reports, the students who remained One of the matters which stirred the basic condition which was being dealt are coming back, new students have also 18th General Synod and almost brought with. Synod was being asked to take en roIled, and Highland College will be about the division of the Synod itself under its wing the group which had with­ a college, as orginally intended and was the exposure made by Elder Oayton drawn from Highland College, and with planned, to provide leaders for the A Bancroft of the Collingswood, N. J., them establish an official Bible Presbyte­ Twentieth Century Reformation move­ church of a political caucus which he, rian college. In effect, Synod was asked ment. At the time of the break there, in the gracious providence of God, dis­ to take the group and the side which had when I went to California and was suc­ covered was in session. broken with Highland College. cessful in getting the two groups together At the 18th Synod, ~ Friday was the Dr. Rayburn, under pressure of the with an agreement which brought peace day of prayer. Saturday we spent de- Page 10 THE FREE PRESS July 28, 1955

bating one question about the !American one of the members of the Synod tried to of Synod behind them. Fortunately, by Council of Christian Churches. Word say that that was a caucus. The brethren a narrow margin they were defeated on was passed around among some of the who were in that caucus endeavored to this point and the provision for the new br'ethren .that on Monday morning, June explain it away and rationalize what had college caI1ed for approval of the pres­ 6, they were going to have a meeting happened. byteries. -early. At about 7.30 o'clock, 2S or This brings us face to face with one 30 men gathered lin a room downstairs On the floor of Synod, appeal was made to the brethren that, if we are going of our great privileges as Bible Presby­ before the brethren came 'to Synod for terians. Presbyteries are made up of the morning session. Elder Bancroft to have prayer-and we had spent an entire day in prayer for divine guidance representatives of the churches and the had come early with the man he was churches are entitled to know what the staying with who said he had to go to -why must we go out and caucus and come in and deal so with ·brethren? issues are that confront the den()mination an early meeting. Bancroft sat in the and just how Itheir representatives are auditonum of the church for a while This development in the history of the going to vote. According to our Bible and later realized :that men were gather­ Bible Presbyterian Church almost split Presbyterian constitution, the power in ing for something and he went downstairs. the Synod, for it is entirely foreign to the Bible Presbyterian Church is with Ai. he passed a door he heard Dr. Ray­ mutual love and confidence, the spirit in the people, and elders represent the peo­ burn tell the caUcus that he could prove which the assembly has progressed, and ple. T·his reference therefore to the ~t Carl Mcintire was a liar. Bancroft yet it was felt necessary by the propon­ presbyteries meant th<>.t each local church then went into the meeting, after asking ents of the officially controlled college idea would be confronted with the problems if be might. He sat in the· 'front. Dr. in order that they might have support and involved, have opportunity to discuss it, Rayburn was appointed floor leader for carry the day for the college in the Synod. and the dders could vote as the churches the group in the Synod. A list of mat­ A college which needed a caucus to get desired. Such discussion in the present ters which they would work for was it through Synod will also need caucuses circumstances could have a very healthy decided upon. One of these was for an in years and days to come to get its will and restraining effect upon the church, oJIicia1ly controlled Bible Presbyterian through Synod. when questions may be especially since our people have looked college. Certain men were to make the raised concerning particular professors to God, with great sacrifice, to build our motions. The question was then raised . or prOblen:ts or questions in the college little" struggling, separatist denomination. about the ~oup's sitting together in a itself, which will ,have to be resolved by it But immediately, word came of body, and was decided it would be Synod. Where division of opinion arises, 1*0 re better for them to fan out through the nata meetings that were being p1anned and one group desires to organize itself entire Synod 90 that when they held up in the presbyteries by the proponents of in order to obtain the victory, a caucus their hands, men sitting near them who the college. Instead of this matter being is the instrument which is used. A school docketed for the next regular meeting perhaps did not know how to vote would which is born with the assistance of a abo be ~uenced to vote their way. of presbytery when all are able to be caucus will not hesitate to resort to the present and when it can be given full !A. blackboard was in the room on which caucus procedure in order to gain its ends debate and consideration am<>ng the were charts drawn with chalk. One of in days to come. churches, the proponents of the college the charts contained a small circle with This states the case very bluntly and have undertaken to hold some special the name of Jesus Christ in it. About frankly. It certainly j~red the entire meetings. One was called in Wisconsin. it was another oircle, a larger, and a still Synod when it was realized that we had Brethren were summoned to meet at .t.rger, which was supposed to represent reached a turning point in the history of a pro re nata meeting on very short notice the church and the agencies. Alongside Bible Presbyterian Synods. and some asked to travel as far as 800 of ,it was another small circle, with a miles, and they were unable ro do so. question mark in the middle, then a IU larger circle and ,other circles. When A call went out in the Rocky Mountain the chart was being explained, it was said THE OFFICIAL BIBLE PRESBYTERIAN Presbytery for a pro re nata meeting just that they need not mention to whom the SYNOD-CONTROLLED COLLEGE HAS RE­ coming under the required time line and VEALED AN ATTITUDE IN SOME OF THE' ~ue;stion mark referred, but it was Mc- summoning men to drive great distances. Intire. · , , PRESBYTERIES WHICH HAS ,CAUSED DIS­ In the case of the Roc1.-y Mountain Pres­ TRESS AMONG BRETHREN. bytery, there are only five churches and The caucus, as it was reported to the 'One of the provisions concerning the seven ' ministers. The regular meeting General -Synod by Mr. Bancroft, had an ()fficial college was that two-thirds of of the Presbytery is scheduled for Oc­ anti-McIntire emphasis in it, as well as th~ presbyteries would have to ratify tober 5 in Albuquerque, N. Mex .. , in the a pro-Synod

but realize the proper person to con­ From this letter ro Presbytery, ' Mr. was obvious that feeling ran overwhelm­ tact, in view of the fact that the call has Van Der Veen apparently is not dear ingly in fa~r of approval. AD felt that already gone out, is yourself. This is about the action of Synod, for Synod the pro ", nata meeting was perfect1, in all the more so lbeca.use of the brevity of did authorize the establishment of a col­ order. time. lege and it does not have to come before "One major factor, how~r, was the "I am, sending a copy of this letter to Synod next year for its final approval. influence of Dr. Buswell. He 'Was at all the men in this presbytery. As we understand it, when two-thirds of Camp Crescent all week, QIld be made it the presbyteries approve, it ,is settled. Why' crystal clear that he was thoroughly in "Frankly, this R.R. meeting of our all MIG this rush through pro "e meet­ favor of the establishment of a S~ Presbytery, on a matter that Synod can­ ings of presbyteries anyhow? not meet to consider until its next regu­ controlled Bible Prelbyte~ coIl.. lar meeting, savours so mucll of the old From a more recent letter we learned When our Committee voted to offer to U.S.A. thing I just got out of two that this meeting was not held, and the take over Shelton College (lock, stock QIld :y,qr$ ago, that it makes me sick. matter will be taken up at the next reg­ barrel), Dr. Buswell told us that he was lar meeting. ready to 5Upport such a move. We are f'PI:(?ST, I see no reason at all why proposing that the present Shelton direc­ the next regular meeting of Presbytery One brother said to me, "My people tors resign and turn the entire school would not be time enough to consider don't mow about this and I don't want over to our Committee. There are some th~ matters. ' them to mow about it." indications that the offer will be accepted. "IN THE SECOND PLACE, don't In the past our presbyteries have been Dr. Hawks, who bad previously opposed you {nen suppose that our own ministry ututed. There has been a desire to pull approval, was delighted at this prospect. in our called fields of Ialbour are entitled together and to stand together, but now Everyone I have contacted seems to feel to a little consideration? What condition we have entered a new epoch. The min­ the same. Shelton is a great school, and do you think that I for one would be in ority intet:ests in the prebsytery are en­ Dr. Buswell is a great educator. He is the next Lord's Day, with its three serv­ titled to certain considerations and rights, a veteran in the ~tist movement, and ices, aftet I have driven to the meet­ and, when problems are, raised, the ma­ was the man who led Wheaton Coll~ ing of PreSbytery on this coming Fri­ jority must be considerate that the min­ to greatness. day? BRETHREN, I AM NOT ority is given full liberty to talk and that "So, you see, it appears idle to oppose AlBOUT TO THROW MYSELF IN­ their opportunities are fairly granted. approval of the new schooL I feel sure Let every Bible Presbyterian remember TO THIS SORT OF BUSINESS. you will now CODCUr. The move is not THE BUSINESS OF THE LORD AT that we began as a min~rity and a pro­ merely a younger-men move, but weighted HOPE CHURCH HAS FIRST DE­ test group and have suffered at the hands with veterans even older than Mr. Mc­ MANDS UPON MY TIME. of intolerant majorities. Must we for­ Intire. get these things when divisions arise in "HOWEV:ER' • ~ • if you men feel our midst, and not only our Synod but "May the Lord bleS$ and keep you." otherwise, then have the meeting of some of our presbyteries are torn with Presbytery here in Albuquerque an Sat­ lIt is clear that the Committee of the the conflict ,which has been precipitated college has now decided 'I!o take over urday, July 16th, and see what it means over Synod-oontrolled agencies? for a change to travel-these long dis­ Shelton College if it can. . The directOR tances as I ha'V'e dooe, WITH ONE EX­ IV of Shelton College, an independent ~­ cy, are to be asked" to resign, to step CEPTION, sin~ fie first started this presbytery. Brethten, the record will THE OFFICIAL BIBLE PREsBYTERIAN aside, and turn the college ovel' 110 the show that' I have endeavored to be a SYNOD-CON"nOLLED COLLEGE IS ALltEADy Synod for its controL faithful presbyter all my life. I 00 NOT BEING USED TO DESTROY ONE OF OUR IN­ -Mr. Hatch in writing to me, sending UKE THIS SORT OF THING AT DEPENDENT COLLEGES. me Max Belz's letter, bad this to say: ALL. I spoke of the pro "e fID#tJ ~ in "Enclosed is a letter which Rev. Max Wisconsin. The Rev. Robert I. Hatch ,iIN THE THIRD PLACE, I am not of Kansas City was unable to go the Belz~ent me which arrived today. You SO 1 know ~ that is In ~ sure that our Brother Burkholder; or 800 miles. He sent a communication oprooa but I ugbt if YOll should. Irving, or myself, could be there to asking the Presbytery to delay ' until the ,on didn't, Would you please laid the l~ t.ck voice out convidion or desire concern­ regular meeting. The story of what hap­ after looking it Q9'er: ing the matters that you feel should be pened is given in a letter which the Rev. by considered Us as a' PRESBYTERY. Max Belz wrote to Mr. Hatch concerning "Once again Rayburn and Edwant. , IIPINALLY, and about this there is their presbytery, and this letter is given are off on a wild tangent which wilt' no doubt, I ~ not so sure that I care for here in full: cause great da.mage even u at Hiplaad. much more of what I saw and heard It looks to me like tlIis CommittIIe .. too "'Pray fur Us: for we trust we have year I is run­ acting completely oatside of ib ~ at Synod this Time fast a good conscience, in all things willing ning out. . "; I am not interested in en­ To me this looks like the II' mllt.-, to live honestly" (Hebrews gaging in matters of controversy with my 12 :18). which has occurred t.o " .' ~ren. "J took your side of the argument Jut I think that all the members 01. ,the "It grieves me to 6nd it ,necessary week at Presbytery, and held out for church shouJd realize what !au t.p. to $eIld a letter such as this to my delay 00 final action on the new college pened. Highland College was diYide4 fellow presbyters. _ I would much rather questiOJ,l. Brother Hawks supported me, and tom. Synod itself has been toni have written you concerning the ,wonder­ but we were defeated. 'I agreed with him under the struggle that has foUowed. 011 ful way, far 'beyond all expectation, in to write you a letter of explanation. the floor of Synod, when questions weN which the Lord has blessed. us, since "Mimy factors were in~lved. You raised about the Synod-controlled college, coming hOJ)le from Synod. know, of course, that I am heartily in it was indicated that such a school 'WU "Men, I plead with YQ~ let's have a favor of a Synod-oontrolled college. I desired in the middle west or in Colorado little more of 1 John 2:3':11 in evidence felt, however, that we could well afford or perhaps even in the South-tbat there among us. We have an adversary who to grant you 'and 'Brother Oeveland a was one on , the west coast and one on is indeed worthy of all ' of our attention delay since you felt so strongly about it. the east coast. But now the 0011ege when it comes to the matter of resis- Wtp had letters from Dr. Young and Dick Committee, set up by Synod with the tance!" ... S~ fav,oriDr' the college approval. It authority of Synod. apparently has de- Page 12 THE FREE PRESS J:Jy 28, 1955

cided that it can take over Shelton Col­ unable to go to Presbytery. It should charge. Somewhere it ought to dawn lege the independent college on the east be clear that what is said about Dr. Bus­ on some men that people who leave the co~t. Even the raising of this ques­ well is Max Balz's estimate and that it ecclesiastical machine-controlled churches tion in the way it has been done is going does not neccessarily represent Dr. Bus­ are not anxious to join any denomination, to cause great trouble and disaster and well. Dr. Buswell will speak for himself much less one which is torn over the will hurt Shelton College. and he has let it be known that this question of the same controls. let·ter has things in it which do not ac­ If the spirit and condition which is Shall all that has happened be pro­ curately represent him. jected into this college? He~e is a sch~l bringing into existence a college under which stands on the Amertcan CouncIl In case there is any question about the the control of the Synod is this in the platform, with a student body last year Board of Directors of Shelton College, beginning. what, pray tell, shall it be of 187 with representatives on its board the following motion was adopted by the before we finish? Shall this be a serious from ~arious American Council denom­ Board on July 21, 1955, ~ithout a d i s s e ~t­ factor contributing to disruption and a inations. Here is an instance of how ing voice: "This Board 10tends to ~l1a~n­ split in our denomination? The Lord's Synod's Committee is being used actu­ tain the independent nature of tIllS 10- people must look to our Lord and we ally to attempt to eliminate an indepen­ stitution. The Board regrets and de­ must seek the peace and mutual love dent college by taking over that inde­ plores the question which has been rrused and confidence which we knew together pendent college and making it Synod­ by the Committee o[ the Bible Pr~sbyt e ­ so delightfully in the earlier years as controlled. rian Church for a Synod-controlled Col­ the Synod grew and pressed the. great lege inviting the surrender of control of battle against the apostasy and In the I wonder if the members of Synod, if the 'college and the resignation of the building of true Presbyterian churches. they had had any idea that the Commit­ present Board of Trl1 stees. The Board tee of seven who were elected to pro­ of Shelton College rejoices in God's good­ ceed would have immediately in one of ness to it and does not wi -h to become their first steps planned to project this embroiled in any particular denomin~­ whole question into Shelton College in tional struggle. We assure our consti­ New Independent Home this' way, would have approved of such tuency that it can depend upon our stead­ an action? I am sure there are many fastness." who would have hesitated to do so. Must we have one institution after another tom V Missions Board Formed by these issues that are being projected into the Synod over Synod's control and THE OFFICIAL BIBLE PRESBYTERIAN The formation of an Independent power? SYNOD-CONTROLLED COLLEGE HAS COM­ Board for Presbyterian Home Missions MITTED THE . SYNOD IN WAYS WHICH was announced July 30, 1955 at a Bible Furthermore, in . what position does SYNOD SHOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED OR P resbyterian Rally held in the auditori';1m this place the Bible Presbyterians who PERMITTED. of Faith Theolo~ical Seminary, Elkins are on Shelton College's board? Now that The Committee of seven established Park Pa. Dr. Allan A. MacRae, presi­ Synod's approved Committee, acting un­ dent ~f the faculty of the Seminary, is the der the authority of Synod provisionally to promote and organize the new college under Synod asked for blanket powers. president of the new Board. The other until sufficient presbyteries have ratified, officers are: Hon. James E. Bennet, vice­ has moved to take over an independent It received them. Just"how much money the new committee can commit the 'Synod president; Rev. Robert Du Vall, secre­ college and ask these men who are Bible tary; Mrs. Louise Greeley, treasurer. Presbyterians to resign, are the members for is a question, but if the Synod were of the board of directors of Shelton to take over the obligations of Shelton Accordin~ to a full page advertisement College, as the Committee proposes to College going to be in contempt of Synod appearing 10 the Christian Beacon of and are they going to be "thwarting the do, there are mortgage obligations of July 7, 1955, the Board's purposes are: will of the Synod" if they decline to re­ $200,000, debts, including the mortgage To evangelize the lost, to challenge the sign? Does the Bible Presbyterian obligation of around $450,000. Does apostasy, to build churches. This is a call Church want to get into all this kind of Synod feel that a Committee of seven to Bible lbelievers in the Presbyterian agitation and conflict? Well, we are in men can commit it to an obligation of al­ Church in the U.S.A., the Presbyterian it; we are in it deep. It goes to the very most a half million dollars when the Church in the U.S., and the United Pres­ nature of the new Bible Presbyterian Synod itself is seriously divided? Some byterian Church, and others to. found Church which is developing under the of the churches which have been our true Presbyterian test~monies in our concept of Synod-controlled agencies as str<>ngest supporters are not willing to land. opposed to the old Bible Presbyterian contribute financially. Or, if it is not the Church which had its face turned toward college on the east coast, is the Commit­ A public rally for the Board in the independent agencies with freedom and tee authorized to commit the Synod to form of a Home Missions Conferenme liberty. a half million dollar investment some­ will be held in Collingswood, N. J ., Oc­ where else? There is no limit to what tober 13 and 14. The experience which has now come this Committee can do, and, when they with the first moves of the new Commit­ have done it, we shall have arguments The Board is incorporated in the State tee itself ought to settle this question. But and struggles and other untoward things of New J ersey and is patterned in its I according to Mr. Belz's letter, the plan in the Synod. charter after the Independent Board for to take over Shelton, an independent Presbyterian Foreign Missions, which agency, further commended the whole Surely, it is apparent, or it ought to was established under the leadership of thing to the brethren! be, to any consecrated, thinking member the late Dr. J. Gresham Machen in 1933. of our denomination that, if we are going In presenting Max Belz's letter it into this sort of tension and con1lict as must be clearly understood that I do so a Synod, we are headed for disaster. Let All communications may be ad­ in order to show his understanding of the us turn down in our churches and in our dressed to the secretary-treasurer of attitude of the presbytery's action. This presbyteries this Synod-controlled agen­ was a report to Hatch, .a copy of which cy. Eliminate the element of ecclesias­ the Committee, the Rev. Arthur G. was sent to the Rev. Emmet Cleveland tical power, the prospects of caucuses, Slaght, 1630 S. Hanover St., Balti­ of the Firth, Nebr., church. Both pas­ and all these elements in the Synod to more 30, Md. tors and elders of these churches were Obtain desired ends of the Committee in