“THE CHRIST OF THE CROSS.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2348, 14 November 1908, Page 3

“THE CHRIST OF THE CROSS.”

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY’S DECISION.

[Press Association.]

DUNEDIN, Nov. 13

Discussion on the Ilev. J. G. Gibson’s book “The Christ of the Cross,” was resumed at the meeting of the General Assembly yesterday. After some discussion ra- committee _ was appointed to consider the various motions and amendments, and draw up a resolution which, in the opinion of the committee, would coincide with the various views entertained by the Assembly. The committee represented all shades of opinion on the question involved in Mr. Smith’s book. The committee unanimously arrived .at the following resolution.: “The Assembly having had its attention drawn to the book entitled ‘The Christ of the Cross,’ published by the Rev. J. Gibson Smith, of Wellington, also to the fact that subsequently to the publication of the book Mr. Smith has declared his essential agreement with the standards of the Church, express regret that Mr. Smith did really, in a manner uncalled for, attack -and contradict the doctrine taught in our standards on the subject of the death of Christ, thereby grieving the consciences of his brethren; confirms the confessional doctrine on the subject, which the Assembly now declares to be the true-and -full expression of the Scripture teaching of the doctrine, but having regard to all the circumstances, resolves in the meantime to take no action further than to say that the Assembly enjoins Mr. -Smith and all his brethren to be careful not even to -appear to contradict the Church’s teachings on the doctrines of the atonement, hut to maintain the -unity of doctrine as taught in this Church and to preserve -unbroken the unanimity of the Church’s testimony of this central truth of the gospel. While the- Assembly thus declares its unwavering adherence to the confessional staJjdard on t vital doctrine, it desires at the same time to express only the kindest feedings towards Mr. Smith, and it -makes this disposition of the case only because the interests of truth demand it.” The recommendation, which was received with hearty applause, will' be considered to-day. Later.

The Prehhyterian Asesmbly adopted the committee’s recommendation on “The Christ of the Cross’ controversy, with the deletion of the words “and full,” before - “ex-presssion of the Scripture teaching,” on the motion of the Rev. Mr Campbell, of Hanmer. This closed the matter, and the Assembly then proceeded with the ordinary business,