73 2 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



also taught that such a view is not incompatible with a true view 

 of the sacred Scriptures. 



In 1882 and 1883 the board of directors of the theological semi- 

 nary, in fear that " skepticism in the world is using alleged dis- 

 coveries in science to impugn the Word of God," requested Prof. 

 Woodrow to state his views in regard to evolution. The professor 

 complied with this request in a very powerful address, which was 

 published and widely circulated, to such effect that the board of 

 directors shortly afterward passed resolutions declaring the theory 

 of evolution as defined by Prof. Woodrow not inconsistent with 

 perfect soundness in the faith. 



In the year 1884 alarm regarding Dr. Woodrow's teachings 

 began to show itself in larger proportions, and a minority report 

 was introduced into the Synod of South Carolina declaring that 

 " the synod is called upon to decide not upon the question whether 

 the said views of Dr. Woodrow contradict the Bible in its highest 

 and absolute sense, but upon the question whether they contradict 

 the interpretation of the Bible by the Presbyterian Church in the 

 United States." 



Perhaps a more self-condemnatory statement was never pre- 

 sented, for it clearly recognized, as a basis for intolerance, at 

 least a possible difference between " the interpretation of the Bible 

 by the Presbyterian Church " and the teachings of " the Bible in 

 its highest and absolute sense." 



This hostile movement became so strong that, in spite of the 

 favorable action of the directors of the seminary, and against the 

 efforts of a broad-minded minority in the representative bodies 

 having ultimate charge of the institution, the delegates from the 

 various synods raised a storm of orthodoxy and drove Dr. Wood- 

 row from his post. Happily, he was at the same time professor in 

 the University of South Carolina in the same city of Columbia, 

 and from his chair in that institution he continued to teach natu- 

 ral science with the approval of the great majority of thinking 

 men in that region ; hence, the only effect of the attempt to crush 

 him was, that his position was made higher, respect for him deeper, 

 and his reputation wider. 



In spite of attempts by the more orthodox to prevent students 

 of the theological seminary attending his lectures at the univer- 

 sity, they persisted in hearing him; indeed, the reputation of 

 heresy seemed to enhance his influence. 



It should be borne in mind that the professor thus treated had 

 been one of the most respected and beloved university instructors 

 in the South during more than a quarter of a century, and that 

 he was turned out of his position with no opportunity for careful 

 defense, and indeed without even the formality of a trial; well 

 did an eminent but thoughtful divine of the Southern Presbyte- 



