New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-09
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DENOMINATIONS

| DENOMINATIONS.
Before the New-York Presbytery met Monday to
discuss the revision of the Westminster Confession
tath, no one felt certain Of tho result. After the
vote had been announced 81 for revision and 10
! against 1t, there was longer any doubt that a
| change was desired by this influential body, but
what changes win be recommended to the General
assembly no tell. The Presbytery wants
revision, that has been decided; but the resolution
contained an explanation that was interpreted in
various ways: Understanding the word revision to
10 used broadly compromising any Confessional
changes' Dr. Crosby wants one chapter modified
and The Book made consistent by making such other
changes as arc necessary TO this end. DR.. Booth de-
slres to have four five chapters opened. DIT
hastings presents plea for a new Confession. DR..
sample would like Declaratory Act,' and so on
through the Presbytery. DIR. Shedd spoke for the
minority who are opposed 10 revision because they
10 not believe that the Creed, Is today teaches
error and that 1t is unwse to throw the Church into
controversy which may endanger the growth OF the
Uhurch and lead to dlscord rather than harmony.
An amusing incident Of the special meeting was the
attitude Of the Presbytery toward the secular press.
Al the previous meeting, by majority vote of one.
anu mat one cast under misrepresentation ii was de-
cided to hold the special meeting with closed doors,
because, as one Of the members expressed IT, the
Porters would give prominence 10 the lighter vein OF
tue ueoate and omit the arguments. The motion was
maze so strong that II excluded more than IN
tended and so It rescinded on Monday although
inc motion was aimed against the press, IL de-
cided after its rescison, that the reporters
suh deoarred by a standing rule Of the body. The
fiesbytery relied 10 give the substance
OF the debate and the result OF the TO all the
papers In the city and 10 the Associated Press, but he
only heard few Of the speeches, took notes and
ala not walt It'll the vote announced. II
whispered about the room during the day that re-
porters we're present, but II known that several
theological students also present, and the effort
10 decide who were students and who reporters
seemed so great that the officers wtnked at the
oncnce, II II be offence to report discussion ON
such an important question the revision Of the
standards Of a Church.
story is going the rounds of the religious press
to the effect that DR.. J. NJ. Buckley, Editor Of The
Christian Advocate called upon to conduct
funeral in parlor book handed to him
from which to read the Scripture selections but in
stead OF being Bible he found that 1t a copy
Of =" The Public statutesn DIR. Buckley at
all disconnected, but opening the book the
middle, repeated slowly the twelfth chapter Of the
Book OF Eccesiastes, and no one OF his auditors
knew that he not reading.
The Methodist people much pleased with the
happy response which their representatives met at
the meeting of the American Board. 1t prob
ably the first time that DR.. storrs had admitted pub
llcy that he is bit of Methodist" Among his
other happy remarks were these Every summer
spend ten or twelve weeks among the Methodsts, and
l quite certain, II had known them earlier in my
lfc nothing but the predetermined counsel and fore
knowledge Of God would have kept from being one
love them for this fact that what Methodist be-
lieves he believes with all his might, and what he
believes with all his might he is able 10 speak with
all his voice."
The Week Of Prayer for Young Men, which will be
observed by the Young Mems Christian Associations in
all lands will begin tomorrow For twenty-three
years this series of meetings has been held.
In the Knox Presbyterian Church tomorrow even
ing the Rev D. G. Wylie will preach on Our Public
Schools lie is chairman Of the New-York synOd's
Committee on Religious and Public Education. In
report recently submitted to the Synod these con.
illusions reached:
From OF the facts before Us it is evident that
/ There is throughout the States schools deporable
and dlsgracet neglect moral and spiritual natures
Of It's pupils.
. That there is prevailing inability to discriminate
between religion (as defined by question OF the circular
and sectarianism
g. That this discrimination must be made and enforced
ny all who deal with the subject In its relation TO
public schools.
4 That the Synod has important and even vital
duty proydentialy imposed upon IT, which 1t would most
disastrous to the welfare OF the state for 1t to neglect
and
3 That the end continually % be kept in view till 1t Is
reached is the formation a public sentiment which will
frame and enforce suitably providing for the incor
poratlon with the school curriculum essential part
Of IT, OF those thetc expressed in the circular and
Of those moral virtues which legitlmatey spring out OF
them