The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-29
pan.presbyterian Council.
THE yIFTH Days PROCEEDINGS.

PHILADELPHIA, September 2S.-Tbe
morning session OF the Pan-Presbyterian
Council was held In Horticultural Hall
Rev. DR.. John Marshall Lang, Of Glasgow.
Scotland, presiding-aDd was opened with
the customary devotional exercises. After
the adoption OF resolutions extending the
evening sessions one half an hour for the
purpose OF allowing greater range OF dis
cuss,on OF the papers read, aud one provi-
ding for the preparation OF friendly letter
on the more important matters that have
come before the Council for transmission TO
the various churches represented in
the Alliance, the order OF The day
was taken up. This was paper
on the "Vicarious Sacrifice Of Christ"
by Principal John Cairns, ID. D., OF
Edinburgh. DR.. Cairns, after stating the
doctrine OF the atonement as II is held by
Presbyterians, gave a RESUME OF the general
bearings OF that great article OF Presbyte-
rian faith. Rev. DR.. A. A. Hodge, OF
Princeton, read a paper on the same sub
ject, his discussion Of it being chiefly .di-
rec'ed 10 consideration OF the relations
which the sacrificial work OF Christ bears
to the forgiveness OF sins and consequently
the salvation OF sinners. Rev. Il. ID. Witber.
spoon, ID. D., OF Petersburg, Va, read a
paper on the subject OF "Final Reiribu-
tion.v Although the Christian Church
had for eighteen centuries held TO the
doctrine OF the endless condemnation OF the
lost he said there Is popular current OF
opposition now setting in against that doc
trine, the removal OF which would cause a
rewriting OF the Scriptures, the practical
abolition of the present system Of Christian
theology, and the eXpurgation OF a large
part OF our Christian literature and philOsO-
ply. DR.. WItherspoon concentrated his
discussion upon an examination OF the
meaning and the New Testament use OF the
words which were in the original used to
denote or express the idea OF eternity TO
show that the doctrine OF endless punish
men OF the wicked is strictly aud abso-
lutely scriptural. In passing, DR.. Witber-
spoon rldculed the traDslations by which
Canon Farrar and Others had endeavored
TO controyert the idea OF eternal future
punishment, and stated that be had the
authority OF one of the best Greek scholars
on this conference.-the Professor Of Greek
in the Johns Hopkins College--iOr saying
that Farrar's translation and use OF the
words denoiing or signiiyiDg eternity was
erroneous and untenable. In conclusion,
DR.. Witberspoon said that Us witness-bear-
Ing Church the Presbyterian Church must
hold TO and teach this doctrine, no matter
how painful it may be, and he hoped that
the Council would send forth bugle' blast
that would announce TO the world that at last
one branch OF the Christian Church would
hold to and proclaim bis doctrine because il
is true and without regard TO its unpopularI-
ty. The remainder OF the session was de-
voted TO general discussion OF DIR. Van
Zaudt's paper read the previous day on
- Creeds and Confessions" DIR. Nelson,
from New Hebrides, pleaded for shorten
ing OF the creed, a. so forming 1t that II
shall briefly contain essentials, leaving the
subsidiary things OF belief to the individual
conscience. His Presbytery in establishing
mission at New Hebrldes had adopted the
confession previously prescribed by the
London Mission Society in the South
Sea missions, and there was difficulty
found in admitting cannibals 10 the
speaker's church on that confession,
which could be written on one short page.
Principal MacVickar replied that coDfes'
sions that might answer quite well foi
cannbals would not do at all for The
guidance OF those who enter the Church Ia
teach the Word OF God. lie protested
against mysterious hints concealing more
than they express about desired changes in
Presbyterian creeds, and insisted that those
who ask for such changes put forward den
mite propositions OF the changes they ash
for.
DR.. Wallace, OF Wooster, Ohio, remarked
that the older he grows the more profount
becomes bis respect for those wise old mer
who formed the confession, and the less pro
found does ii become for the downy-facet
men who fiippantIy dispute its contents.
The Committee on Creeds reported reso
luton providing for the appointment Of
committee 10 consider the disturbances o
defining concesus Of reformed confessions
and report to the next Council, Principa
DR.. Caven to be chairman Of the committee
The report was accepted and laid over fol
consideration at tomorrow's session.
The afternoon session was beid In the
Academy of Music. Rev. DR.. Hof1myer, o
the Cape OF Good Hope, presiding.
The papers Of the session were all on th'
subject OF Church extension.