The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-03-05
A THEOLOGICAL Relic.
So One Of the Presbyters
Describes the Confess
sion of Faith.
GREAT SPEECHES ON REVISION
Rev. DR.. McKelyey and Rev. Mr.
Hathaway Deal Hard Blows
to Old Dogmas.

terday, in response to the summons to
meet for discussion of the report submit-
ted at the last meeting Of the Prespytery
on the overtures Of the General Assembly
in reference tn a revision Of the Confess
sion of Faith. Nearly every minister Of
the Presbytery was present when Moder-
ator f. E. Miller, of Paterson, called for
order
1t was notable assemblage. A look Of
deep thought and earnestness characters
lied every countenancs.
The discussion was not concluded yes
terday afternoon, and it is impossible as
yet to reach any definite conclusion as to
whether the adverse report of the COM
mittee at the last Presbytery will be adj
opted; but If one is to Judge by notes
taken on questions of adjournment that
may possibly have had an incidental
bearing upon the matter, it looks as
though the Presbytery is about equally
divided on the question of revision.
Strenuous efforts we're made to take q
vote upon the question before adjourn
menI. but they were defeated.
THE FIRST QUESTION.
The first question in the overture of the
General Assembly was, 'sDo you desire
revision of the confession of faith?D To
this the committee, consisting of the
Revs. Charles K Imbrie, Henry H.
Booth. John 3 lSngler. David w Huteh-
inson, Charles A. DE Witt, Watts Cooke
and .. w. Ketchum, to whom was re-
ferred the matter, and by the Jersey City
Presbytery reported adversely on the
ground that while admitting there
might be certain words and particular
expressions which might be exchanged
for Others that would more pre-
cisely and unmistakably express the
scriptural truths intended in the place,
and that there were phrases (on subjects
which do not at all affect the system OF
doctrine taught in the Confesslon) which
are not supported by the Scriptures
quoted and which might be modified or
omitted, grave fears were entertained
that an attempt at revision would result
in more harm than good.
The committee gave as its reasons for
this belief that 'sthe substitutes proposed
to take the place of certain statements
now in the Confession are quite as open
to criticism and are as liable to misappre-
hension and perversion and need as much
explanation in order to be understood
without any possible mistake as are the
present words of the Confession for
which they are proposed, nor. II adopted,
would not shelter the Confession from
attacks by those who are opposed to its
doctrines"
Other reasons given by the com mittee
were that the proposed changes were in
direct opposition 10 the system OF doc
trine contained in the confession, and
that changes in the present Confession
wanld produce complications not easily
settled, because the basis of reunion WIS
the reception of the Confession OF Faith
as it now stands as containing ''the sys-
tenn of doctrine taught in the Holy
Scriptures.
The committee saw no actual necessity
far oh az AMI ma a q
far as subscription was concerned, mas
much as the terms of subscription bind
no mans conscience beyond the system
of doctrine"
The committee further desired to sea
the historic attitude of the church pre-
served "from which the advance has
been in simplicity of definition rather
than in changes of doctrine" " but saw fit
to recommend the PreSbytery to overture
the General Assembly to prepare and
issue "a brief, popular definition OF the
system of doctrine taught in the Holy
Scriptures" T" as contained in the COnfeS-
sion of Faith.
MR.. HATHAWAY's SUBSTITUTE.
The Rev. w. Hathaway was the first aG
yesterdays discussion to assail the report.
In the opening of lengthy, prepared
speech Of opposition he alluded to the
wisdom and good Judgment of the men
composing the committee, and was sorry
he had found himself unable to agree
with them upon this great question OF the
day, which he declared was an epoch OF
far-reaching Importance in the history OF
the Presbyterian Church, and would
largely effect the kingdom of God. He
was anxious his vote should be recorded
on the side of GOD and in keeping with
the providential signs of the times. He
could not support the report, and offered
this as substitute
To the first question in the overture of the
General Assembly ,,Do you desire Is revision of
the Confession OF Faith.' The Presbytery OF
Jersey answers, YES
To the second question. IF so to what ex-
tentsn The presbytery make the following re-
piSiN I'VE desire
l. That the system of doctrine as contained in
the Confession of Faith be preserved in its fun
III That the system of doctrine as contained
in the Confession be made to contain definite
aud full expression of the love of God for all
mankind. and tho salvation in Jesus Christ, pro-
vided for ALL and to be preached to every crea-
ture
III That certain forms Of statement, partictl-
larry in the third and tenth chapters, which con-
vey, or are understood by many to convey, err
roneous and unscriptural implications. be
changed or stricken out.
we prefer, however, that the extent and def
mite form of these changes, to be submitted to
the Presbyters for constitutional ratihcationt
representative committee as the General Assem-
bly, shall appoint.
Furthermore, and as part of our answer to
this question, we respectfully but most earnestly
overture the General Assembly to invite the coz
operation Of all other Presbyterian and
Reformed churches IN Che world 70 for,
muiate short, simple and devotional
creed containing all the essential and
necessary articles of our system of doctrine, in
which the tone of God, which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord, shall be central and dominant, and
which shall commend itself to- every mani IS con-
science in the sight of God. This creed shall 20
submitted for approval and adoption as the
common creed of the Presbyterian and Reformed
churches of the world.
We believe that there is growing demand
for such creed as supplement- TO our confes-
sion, and as being both useful to ourselves N
the work of the church, and forming bond OF
union with other churches We further believe
dental tme for initiating this movement In the
interests of the unity of the faith.
Mr. Hathaway then proceeded with an
attempt to pulverize and then annlhilate
the committees report which he opposed.
He characterized the report as SUI
premely Illogical document. Its answer
TO the first question should have settled
the matter, SO far as the COMMITTEES was
concerned. A negative answer to the
first question precluded any possible an
swer to the second The second was de-
pendent upon the first.
WORSE CONFUSION.
'sThe committee he added, "admit
the necessity of revision in the preamble
OF it's report, but are afraid to have lt
undertaken, and then ask that II shall be
Continued on Second Pa0s.