New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-26
THE pBESByTERJ1y ASSEMBLY.

The very full reports of the Presbyterian Cen
eral Assembly which we have been giving are
abundantly justified by the importanc" and gem
cral interest OF the topics discussed Contrary 10
what was expected a few months ago, the project
of bringing about n union between the North
ern and Southern branches Of The Church has
not come prominently before the Assembly.
This has not been because Of any failure to
recognize its importance or necessity on IN"
part Of the Northern Assembly. but solely be
cause il Is evident that the time Tor such Il
union has not come. While the two branches Of
tho Church are one in belief. they dlSagr"" radi-
raIv as TO the status Of the negro in the Church,
and on other minor questions that ar"N" ont 81
the Civil War. But while an organic union APP
pears to be as far Of a. ever plan of c"-"pcta-
ton in certain lines Of religious work has been
agreed upon that will do something t" diminish
the evils Of separation, and may, perhaps, uIti-
nlately lead to a closer union.
The uttcrancrs Of the Assembly in regard To
the remarkable falling Of in the number Of can
didates for the ministry have been startling.
This complaint Of a dcarth Of ministers is, in
deed, common TO all the chur hes with the pos
siLle exception Of the Roman Catholic Church.
But the statements made in the Assembly would
indicate that Prcsbyterianism is tn" greatest
sufferer from this dearth. In fact, 1t is plain
that the Presbyterian Church will soon expert
euce a ministerial famine that may jcoardlze
ire very existence unless something * don" 10
check il. But Just what should BE- done i not n,
all clear. The desire for wealth and the spirit
of ma tcrialism which are abroad in the world -
day are doubtless responsible for the refusal oi
MANY young men to enter In" Christian minis
try at the present time. In the case "t the
preshyterian Church, there are special causes
AT work which are involved in the dOgmauc po-
sition Of that body. In 4 word, as some o'
the most eminent Presbyterian ministers have
openly asserted young men who arc otherwise
Gt to enter the Presbyterian ministry ar" kept
ont because they cannot ConSicmtiouSIy sub
~rih. 10 the standards framed hy the West
Minister Assembly That is the cas-" IN nut
shell and il therefore brings before the 'hurrh
the question whether or not il is right or de-
sirahle tn revise thcSc standards.
On that question the present Assembly has re-
fused 10 render decision. to the regret 81 som"
If the best and wiscst men in IN" Church.
resolution, however has been adopted. putting
tn the various presbytcres the following qu"S-
tions: /. DO you desire a revision Of the Con
| fcssi0n II Faith? 2. II so, In what respects
| and to what extent? Although this action ne
ccssarily pustponcS the final decision Of tn" mat
ter for "A number of years, IN" fart that 1t WIS
| taken at all is virtual admission that the
! Standards Of the Church are simply tho opinions
| Of failihe men which other fallihlc men may
properly revise or even abrogatn il they so do
| sire The admission is a tremendous ono, when
tn" conservative traditions Of Prsby or an SIN
arc borne in mind and cannot fail to strengthen
tho movement in favor Of modification and re-
vision For it takes tho DEGREES Of the West
Minister Assembly out 81 the category Of in
SHRED utteranceS in which they have been
placed by vague tradition, and assigns to them
| human origin The Divine guidance Of the
| Church did not cease in 1913, and it is quit"
possible that it's great synods to-day may be just
a. competent to say what the Scriptures teach
and what. therefore, tho Church believes, aN
were the venerable men who assembled in
| Westminster Abbey in 1913 by order Of the
IiBritiSh Parliament. Intensely conservative As
l,Prcsbyterianism is, it is evident that the day
lhas gone by when it is willing to make fetch
Of the views and opinions Of even its wiscSt and
hottest men.