"CHRIST OF THE CROSS."

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12401, 17 November 1908, Page 2

"CHRIST OF THE CROSS."

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S RESOLUTION. Ths Presbyterian General Assembly the- other day at .Dunedin passed the following resolution regarding tho Rev. Gibson-Smith's famous book: — ■ "That tho Assembly, having had its attention drawn to a book entitled 'Tho Christ of the Cross,' published, ■by the Rev. Gibson Smith, also to the fact that subsequently to the publication of the book Mr Smith has declared his essential agreement with tho 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, and confirms the professional doctrine on the subject, which the Assembly anew declares to be the true teaching on this 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 brethren to be careful not even to appear to contradict the Church's teaching on the doctrine of thej Atonement, but to maintain the unity of doctrine as taught- in this : Church, and to preserve, unbroken the unanimity of the Church's testimony to this central truth of the Gospel. While the Assembly thus declares its . unwavering adherence to the Confessional standards on this vital doctrine, it desires at the same time to express only the kindest feelings towards Mr Smith, and it makes this disposition of. the case only because the interests of truth demand it."" -.-.-- This was the committee's recommendation, \with the : deletion •; of the words "ancl full," which were excised on the motion of the Rev. Mr Campbell! of Hanmer.' . : .■;'" ' . This closed the matter,- and the Assembly proceeded to' ordinary business. ■■■• ' ■■->■ -.-:■ : : ■•' : . : ; : .-'; ■" : •■'. ■' : ■