New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-14
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
PREsBYTERIANIsM AND CALVIN.
THE CHURCH AS AN IYFALLIBLE GUIDE.
To ihe hdffor OF TAe Trfbnne.


THE GREAT THEoLoGIAN NOT ACCEPTED BY
THE CHURCH As AN INFALIBLE GUIDE.
To he Ldftor oJThe Tribune
Sir: This IS an opportune time for correcting
common notion that in some way the Presbyterian
Church Of America IS bound to and by Calvin as the
infable expounder Of the Christian faith. This I'M
preston (; encouraged by many theologians OF the
Church. in their habit of speaking more OF the
"Augustnian" and Cslv1nlstic" crecds than Of the
Apostolic Notwithstanding the express disayowal OF
the Confession of Faith I'm such terms these: The
Supreme Judge. by which all controversies Of religion
TO be determined and all DEGREES Of councils oph-
ions Of ancient writers, doctrines Of men. and prvato
spirits. TO be examined, and in whose sentence
are to rest. can be other but the Holy spnt
speaking in the Scripture
The symbolic documents OF the Church Will DO
searched in vain for much as the name OF Gavin
his writings. In the constitution OF the theological
semnaries by the General Assembly requirement IS
made for the use Of his works as textbooks They
are not prescribed for use in the examination
OF candidates for licensure or ordination Turretins
Theologia' prefe red for the classes at Prince
ton which has always stood with the highest in or
thodoxy well being the first in institution
The Presbyterian Board OF Publication was founded
with prominent purpose Of furnishing the best eH
positions of tho fundamental doctrines Of the Church
II Calvin the admitted interpreter in the case it
would be expected that his Institutes would be
the first book in the catalogue; but 1t was severa
years before II was put the list and then 0ny
when two conge cations Of Baltimore had requested
1t and furnished the means OF publication. More
over, the largest part OF the advertisement prefxed
10 the work by the editor OF the Board and In then
name, IS occupied with a disclaimer OF the idea
that their Church IS wholly Cavlnisic. The
language Of the Board IS that they DO
not wish 10 be regarded adopting all NE
sentiments and forms OF expression OF the veueraeu
writer thai the admission Of hi, term (CaViils,lD
is und rstOOl by any implying an ent r.
coincidence In The views Of Calvin. a suhm ion
10 his authority as umpire In theological con
tTOverscs7 and that. although learned and pi1us
he faillbe man. and HIS opinions. aihough
deserving Of profound respect, not 70 he bnndly
followed. -
Again. would quote as specially applicable 10 me
present agitation Of revising the symbols, these express
Of the Board OF Publication, recognizes
organ Of the Church 1t must be arknOwle god ta
some Of the doctrines therein cInstitutcsl ma u
tancd have been moro LUMINOSITY SIT forth I'D
modern tmcs.H The prefsce then instances the n at
refOrmcr's defects In the statement Of some Iubue-
mental docrincs-as JUS flcaion AMI tho SABBATH
and most ecrmane to The current discussion Of the
question OF modifying the confess on Ge lare> -
OF tho pressions Of Calvin the su lect oI
rcprObauon NAY be- regarded a. to- unqua .hed" -,
If the cOnscrvatOr OF the byte1an form ot IA IN
have thus committed themselves 10 the allowance
Il qualifying, modifying. clarifying thc La sua5
OF The great cNpOundcr Of the evangelical word Is II
not reasonable and according - precedent q N lur'
whether the experience and study Of century d. not
justify further Improvement JOHN HALL
Trenton, n. j., Oct ,, 1889.