The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-10-18
GA New Confession.u

Onder TINS mead the United PTeS6Y-
terrain writes as follows:
The treatment received by the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church at the Philadelphia Coun-
Gil led 1t to seek such change of its symbols as
would save it from a similar disadvantage in
the future. Accordingly in the Assembly of
1881 two committees were appointed to begin
the work of revision. Their work was received
by the Assembly of May last and having been
printed, 1T is now in circulation through the
Church, being also in the hands of the Presby-
teries tor their conside. alton.
The publication consists of the Revised Con-
fession. Form of Government Catechism Direc-
tory for Worship, and Rules of Order. The
Larger Catechism is omitted, and all the other
parts OF the work are considerably abridged.
This is meant to be a recommendation The
belief Is that In its reduced form its will be of
easier reference by those consulting it, and that
it can thus be circulated more easily. and will
be read more widely. The common reader
likes to see things in compact shape Even the
news OF the day he wishes in paragraphs This
wish extends even to church symbols. and
hence the Cumberlands, acknowledging and
seeking to accommodate it, have put their new
basis In as small compass as possible
This branch of the Church has history that
is worth studying. After the breach which
started 1t, it trimmed the Westminster Comics
sion down so as to suit the life it was purposino
to pursue and the theory it was accepting as
distinctive. This related chiefly to the points
connected with election and predestinafion
which because they were declared to be fataIg'
| tic, were modified into statements that set them
forth less strongly. The sentiment of the
| Church, however, was even below that of the
symbols and the popular impression of the BODY
| among Presbyte1lans generally was that it had
little claim to anything in common with the
family from which it had its name 1t grew
however, and in the right direction, so that to
day 1t is receiving more respect than it ever did
before. Its new departure under revised con
stitution may so help it that its future will be
one of increased strength and usefulness. This,
certainly, is the hope of all its friends"
The action of the Presbyterian Council
had nothing, whatever, to do in this mat
ter. There has been growing desire in
the Church for thirty years past to have
our Confession revised. The General
Assembly of 1858, in response to a memo
rial from the Synod Of West Tennessee,
! appointed a committee Of seven to pre-
pare revision to be submitted to the
Assembly of 1854. The Moderator, H.
S. Porter, D. D., appointed on this COM
mittee J. L. billiard, 1 Shook, R. Bur
row, II. B. Warren, S. G. Burney, J. NJ.
Howry and w. G.. Huddleston. Rev J
L. billiard declined to serve, and Rev. c.
P. Reed was appointed in his place. This
committee reported to the Assembly oil
1854 The motion to refer the revision
then prepared to the Presbyteries for
approval was lost by vote Of Al to Ga
Among those voting in favor OF submit
ting the revision to the Presbyteries, we
recognize as still living, w. w. Hendrix,
j. B. Dobson, w. S. Burney, S. G.. Bur
| Dey, j. NJ. Howry, J. b. Iowrance and
3. Miller. Among those voting against
the resolution to refer, J. S. Order, J.
Anderson, r. L. Caruthers, D. E. Hick-
man, ]. G. White, E J Stockton and w.
S. Campbell. Death has been busy since
that roll call
The question is an old one. The pre-
sent revision is a condensed, re-statement
Of the old Confession. Some think it less
Calvinistic than the old, and if this be
true it would be more likely TO have an
unfavorable influence upon the Presby-
] byterian Council than otherwise. Should