The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-23
WANTED, A NEW FAITH.
Method Adopted by the General Assembly
to Revise the Creed.

NxCtnOu AuOptcu ny lnc Ocu6Tttl xASSOAnUly
to Revise the Creed.
SARATOGA, May 22.-At this mornings
meeting of the Presbyterian General as
sembly the committee on amendments of
the confession of faith reported, recon-
mending that overtures be made to the
presbyteries looking to the insertion of a
new chapter in the form of government,
and to effect such amendments or altera-
tions in the form of government, the book
of discipline and the directory for worship
as may be proposed by the general assembly
to presbyteries; but these shall not be obli-
gatory on the church unless majority of
all presbyteries approve thereof in writ
ing. They also reported that amendments
or alterations of the confession of faith,
and of the larger and shorter catechisms,
may be proposed to the presbyteries by the
general assembly, but shall not be obliga-
tory on the church unless approved in writ
ing by two-thirds of all the presbyteries
and agreed to and enacted by the next en-
suing general assembly; and that before any
amendments or alterations of the confession
of faith or the larger or shorter catechisms
may be proposed by the general assembly,
they shall be transmitted to the presbyter-
les. The general assembly shall appoint,
to consider the subject, committee of nin-
listers and ruling elders, in numbers not less
than fifteen, of whom not more than two
shall be from any one synod; and this COM
mittee shall report its recommendations to
the assembly next year for action. No change
except upon the vote of two-thirds of the
presbyterles; that upon an overture from
One-third of the presbyteries it shall be
obligatory upon the general assembly to
transmit to all presbyteries any overture
for amendments under this new chapter,
vote for such alteration, it shall be made.
The second part of the report was upon the
question:: Shall section of chapter II be
stricken out?
The members of the committee were
unanimous in the report, having made con-
cessions on both sides. In answer to a
question. Dr.. Roberts. of the committee,
minister edict by two-thirds vote. The
report was then passed, with but one dis
senting vote.
DIR. Patton, of Princeton, chairman of
the committee for canyassing answers by
presbyteries on revision, read the report.
There were 133 that desired revision, 6S
that did not. The others declined to an
swer. Many desired it. but stipulated that
the Calvinistic character of the standard
should be altered. Considerable discussion
arose as to the classification of presbyteries.
Albany refused to answer as to revision, but
desired the new creed to be used side by
side with the old.
DR.. McCracken reported. affirmative 135
and 81 negative, including Albany and Sac
ramento in the affirmative instead of the
negative. This is very important point,
as the classification of these two decides
whether two-thirds have or have not desired
revision.
Judge Thornton, of San Francisco, of the
canvassing committee, defended its report.
Elder Day, of New York, gave notice that
tomorrow he will move an alternative plan
of constituting the committee, which plan
will be printed and distributed before that
time. The committee on church union re-
commended a continuance of the nepotia-
tions with the Episcopal and other denom-
nations for closer relations and co-opera-
ton.