New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-07
BrVJSING THE CONFESSION

~
The New-York Presbytely is expected to-day
to take up the knotty problem submitted to the
PHI Presbyteiies in the General Assembly by
that body at its meeting in this city last spring.
The question TO be answered is whether re-
vision of the Westminster Confession is de-
sired. and if this be answered affirmatiyely, the
Assembly wishes advice regarding the changes
TO be made No question in a century has
touched the heart of the Presbyterian Church
more deeply. Under the present standard it
{ has advanced steadily in many lands, until the
| Northern Assembly alone has more than three
quarters Of a million of communicates, who last
year contributed nearly $4,000, 600 for re-
ligious purposes
The Presbyterian Greed has been vigorously
defended for more than 300 years against all
corners, especially the doctrine of predestna-
| ton but now when one conservative church is
revising its Prayer Book. another equally con.
servative denomination is asked 10 drop the So
called repellant doctrine from the book to
which all teachers and preachers of Presby
| terianism subscribe. The demand is a bold
one il must be confessed, but it is being met
| fairly and the debate is causing much comment
not only throughout this country but in Europe
as we'll where the need Of change has been
! felt longer than it has here. The English Pres
/ bytelianS have gone 50 far as to prepare new
! Creed and the United PreSbyterianS of
Scotland have added statement to the West
Minister Confession: but both of these courses
are open 10 objections. The opponents Of re-
vision assert that it is inxpedient for various
reasons to make any changes Much to their
surprise, however, the venerable DR.. McCoSh
has announced himself strongly in favor Of the
! proposed revision.
The interview with the well.knovn Church
historian, Bible reviSer and author of The
CreedS Of Chmstendom," which is printed in
The TRIBUNE to-day, adds an important con
tribution to the discussion Dr. Schatf is en-
titled TO speak with authority. and his earnest
plea for a new Creed or a new version which
shall emphasize the love rather than the justice
Of God by making it the central doctrine, will
meet with appreciation even from those who
cannot see their way clear to giving up the POI
sition taken by the Westminster diyines. But
this student Of history shows by parallel
columns in one of his many books that once
and again has the Confession been changed tC
meet new conditions. and adds that no Amer
can to-day would tolerate the idea of subscrib
ing TO the original doctrine on the rights anC
duties of civil magistrates. While favoring
new Creed which shall be shorter and more
popular in its character, one that elders ant
ministers alike may subscribe TO it without
any mental reso walton, DIR. Schaff shows threc
other methods Of giving relief TO those whC
feel restrained by the present Book: liberia
subscription is suggested, but declared to b.
demoralizng since it is practically no sub.
scription at all a statement may be added to thu
Creed but this makes two creedS, one opposing
the other. or a revision may be made. The las
I mode is the one that he fayors now. He woul,
like to see the references to Romanism ex
cised also, as we'll as the logical inference. i
Q not the implied statement, that some infants
are not saved. The thought that God by de
cree passed OVER a certain class of mankind
large or small, is too repellant for him to be
: lieve, and although he subscribed to thest
statements when he became the professor in ;
r Presbyterian seminary, he explained his view
and subscribed with reservations.
2 The influential Presbytely which embrace
= Princeton Seminary has declared against re
vision, and now especial attention is directed
toward this city, the seat of Union Seminary
While the graduates of these respective in