New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-28
PRINCETON STANDS FIRM.
THE SEMINARY FACULTY DEFEND THE
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
PROFESSOR GREEN CAN SEE NO URGENT REASON
FOR A REVISION OF THE sTANDARDs-PRo-
FEssoR PAXTON THINKS ROMANS CON-
rAINs HARDER" DOCTRINES
THAN THE PRESBYTERIAN
CREED DOES.


the faculty Of the Union Theological Semi
nary divided in regard to the proposed re
vision Of the Westminster Confession of Fath'
there is singular unanmity this subject IN the
Princeton Seminary faculty. So far Tribune cor
respondent has been able ascertain the professors
in this stronghold of Presbyterianism are all opposed
to the General Assembly's overture At the oonege'
which, however, Is not a denomnatfonal INSTITUTION,
there difference of opinion but the Seminary STANDS
as unit In defence Of the Presbyterian standards as
they to-day
Nav protessoy W H. Green, I'm extending welcome
TO the commissioners. assured mem that IL the AS
,.,h,v we're cstoed into revising Calvinsm out of
the standards Princeton Seminary would still hold to
tbe Westminster symbols. In conversation with DR..
Green yesterday this question was asked:
"should the creed be revised1"
81 know no urgent reaSon," he replied, for the
revision of the Presbyterian Standards. regard them
as fncomparably the best exhibition that has been
framed of the teaching of the inspired Word of God
And ] believe that they faithfully represent in all
essential particulars the belief Of the Presbyterian
Church the great OF both ministers and people.
do not assert that they incapable Of improve
ment This can scarcely be said of anything human.
And II in any particulars they be brought into
closer accord with Scripture, and with the present
faith Of the Church the true meaning of Scripture
willing and DESTROYS that such corrections should
be made. But such particulars, far they really
nate matters, not affecting the general substance Of
the Standards There is no occasion. therefore in my
Judgment for a revision OF the whole in order 10
effect modification of a clause here of sentence
there relating TO matters OF subordinate moment
II any Improvement be made IN such matters. let
II be proposed and considered by itself just the
Church has acted in former that IS, in regard
TO mans marriage of his wife's kindred. which was
recently cOrrec ted
"How do you explain the demand for revision of
the Comics sion"
"The demand for a revision. which is agitated at
present comes. far see. from three sources
!. Those who adhere strenuously 10 the system of
truth taught in our Standards but desire the omission
or modification of some expressions which they con-
slider Objectionable liable to be misunderstood.
Q Those who do not heartily accept system. and
desire sweeping changes made in important doctrines
3. Those who wish change for themselves hut arc
disposed favor IT, under the impression that changes
are desired by Others. The real object of the first
class would in my opinion be better promoted by
their limiting themselves to proposing directly the
changes that they desire, instead of encouraging
general revision, by doing which they only strengthen
the hands of the second class with whom, in point of
fact, they have no real sympathy"
AN UNsETTLING EFFECT PRODUCED.
"wbat will in your opinion be the practical effect
Of the Assembly's overture ?"
"The immediate eject of the overture and OF the
newspaper discussion which it has generated has
been unsetng. Mems minds have been disturbed
and the impression necdessy created that our Stand
ards are seriously at fault Those who desire
change have naturally been loudest and most active
in thrusting themselves upon popular attention.
"what about the Church whole?"
As the discussion goes and the conservative
voice of the mass of the Church comes TO be heard
and the second thought Of the people has had
operate, l think the general result will be
more intelligent conviction of the general truth and
dar3s nd safie farf wi
them they are
How will the discussion affect church worh''
al do not suppose that the work of the Church will
be in any way Affected
Do you favor lax subscription 10 the Standards rs
remedy for the Ills complained OFF,
The subscription required in orr Church is to the
system OF Doctrine taught in the Standards. That
has ALWAYS been and always should be insisted upon
as opposed that rigid subscription which requires
submission to every particular, however unessential
and 10 that loose subscription which practically
amounts to no subscription all, leaving at
liberty % divergc in essential matters"
81 The charge is made that young men are being kept
out Of the Presbyterian ministry by It's 'bard' doc
Young men in course of liberal education arc
sceptcsl objections 10 the Word Of cod and Chris
tan doctrine But l do not believe that intelligent
young men who have been trained IN The Pres6y-
terrain fsh are de Se9 pre- from ePnr6S the ministry
" Do you fear a division I'm the Church II radical
changes made in the creed in the process Of re
vision! p
II see no cause for Approaching division in the
Church, however the present agitation may issue"
DIR. PAXTON'S TRIBUTE To THE CONFESSION.
when the Rev. DR. William NJ. Paxton resigned the
pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church, in New
York to accept the chair of Hometca!, Practical and
Ecclesiastical Theology in Princeton, a conservative
scholar. and faithful and successful pastor was
added to the Seminary faculty. In speaking of the
Assembly's overture, DIR. Paxton said
d" l see no good reason for alteration or amend
ment I'm the Wesnlnster Confession. which has always
been considered the abcst and most influential Of all
TIE confessions 1t has trained race of great thinkers
and good men. DR.. Schaf says: 1T has Influenced
theological thought and religious activity as far as the
English tongue prevails There certainly should be
strong for changing Confession and Ca'echismS
which have entered so vitality into the beliefs and eX-
Ierence OF The past"
" Some have said that the Confession
should be revised. because they cannot accept all the
forms of statement and the details of doctrine therein
Hvenl"
They not asked TO accept the Confession I'm all
its details but simply 30 receive and adopt the COMES
sion OF Faith as containing the system OF doctrine
taught in the Holy Scriptures. II minister is Calvin
st he has difficulty in making this subscription. II
he Is not a Calvinist. he has simply made mistake in
getting into the Presbyterian Church Others desire
revision, not because they reject the Cavinistic
system. but because they desire modified statement
OF of the doctrines for example the doctrine
Of reprobauon. TIE difficulty Is that this doctrine Is
much more strongly stated in the Scriptures than it IS
IL tie Confession. for example, I'm the ninth
chapter Of Romans. Would II not be wise TO first
whether We can revise this doctrine out of ne
Scriptures before attempt TO revise II of the
ConfessIOn!s
Others stnl desire a revision because they think
That the love Of God is not stated with sufficient full
hess In the Confession"
This has been shown to be a mistake. Quotations
ron The Confession and Catechisms have been given
showing both the funcss Of Gods love and the free
or ei salvation 10 al men. Just here lies point
s.a pc't. The Calvinstic system is SO beautifully
"sNaily connected in all its parts that TO alter
.elnehl In one nlace necessitates q cspOnding