Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-24
THE BATTLE OF SARATOGA.
The Presbyterian Assembly Adopts the
Committee Report on Revision.

SARATOGA, NY, May "A. - The venerable
DR.. Jas. McCosh, ex-president of PrincetonCol-
lege, was introduced and addressed the Pres
byterian assembly this morning. He was fol-
lowed by Rev. DR.. Matthews Of England, gen.
erai secretary of the Presbyterian alliance
The report of the committee to which the sew
eral resolutions relative to the appointment Of
. committee on revision were referred was
presented, as follows: Your committee report
that they have unanimously agreed upon the
following presmbles and resolutions, the adop-
ton Of which they recommend.
Whereas, the last general ASS mbly directed
An overture to be transmitted to the presby-
teries in these words:
1. Do you desire a revision of the confession
of faith2
2. If SO, in what respect and to what extent?
and.
Whereas, it appears from the report of the
special committee appointed to canvass the
answers Of the presbyteries to said overture
that l3i presbyterles have answered Eyes" to
the first question, therefore,
Resolved, l. That a committee composed Of
one member Of the assembly from each synod
to wit, 19 ministers and 10 elders, be appointed
by the moderator to nominate to this assembly
committee consisting of Is ministers and 10
elders, which shall be called ''the assembly's
committee on revision of the confession of faith"
which committee when constituted by the gem
eral assembly shall consider the suggestions
made by the presbyteries in their answers to
the second Of the above questions, and formu-
late and report to the general assembly of 1891
such alterations and amendments to the con-
fession OF faith as In their judgment may be
deemed desirable.
2. This committee on the revision shall meet
at tho call of a temporary chairman to be
named by the moderator and shall upon meet
ing appoint their own permanent chairman,
and shall have power to fill vacancies.
m To- in ins tod 10 ,aa%a NJ
early date, not later than October 81, 1890, and
diligently pursue its work that it may promptly
report at the meeting of the general assembly
OF 1891, and,
Whereas, Sixty-eight presbyteries have an
swered mo" to the first of the above questions
and sixty-nine presbyteries of those answering
yes" have expressly said that they desire no
change IN the confession of faith to be made
that impairs the integrity of the system of doc
trlne taught therein therefore
Resolved. That this committee on revision
be and hereby are instructed that they shall
not propose any alterations or amendments
that will in any way impair the integrity of the
reformed or Calvinistic system of doctrine
taught in the confession of faith.
Great applause followed the reading Of the
report DIR. McCracken heartily seconded the
paper and DR.. Erskine proceeded to address
the assembly in its support. He was inter
rIpted by cries of Question" and soon yielded
to the assemblys impotence to get to a vote.
The report was unanimously adopted and the
assembly sang Praise God from Whom All
Blessings Flow"
The moderator announced the following
committee, which will nominate the actual COM
mittee Of revision: p Hamilton Hunter synod
Of Atlantic; Benz. F. Bittinger, Baltimore; VIM.
A. Alexander, Catawba; Frank V. Mills,
China; Robert Douglas, Colorado; Curtis
Z. Strong, Columbia; VIM. c. Roberts
Temporary chairman), Illinois; Thomas Tracey,
India; Henry B. Saylor, Indiana; John Edwards.
Indian territory; VIM. G.. Donnan, Iowa; Lewis
l. Drake, Kansas; James Barbour, Kentucky;
John 7. Oxtoby, Michigan; Daniel r. Noyes,
Minnesota; Frank j. Baird, Missouri Samuel H.
Davidson, Nebraska; n. W. Voorhees,, New
Jersey; Samuel ID. Fulton, New Mexico; Geo.
Ale xander. New York; Jas. NJ. Anderson North
Dakota; Daniel II. Evans, Ohio; Henry b.
Gage, Pacific; Ebenezer Erskine, Pennsylvania
Elliott L. Dresser, South Dakota; Samuel II.
Wilson, Tennessee; Henry s. Little. Texas; +.
Werner Moore, Utah; Everett G. Eastman. Wis.,
consin. The committee at once went into SEES
sion.
The committee on bills and overtures re-
ported in favor OF CONSENSUS creed. DIR.
Johnson opposed the report on the ground
that the proposition is inopportune. Drs
Thompson and kempshall favored the mo-
ton. DIR. Patterson said he would vote for the
committees report lapplausel because
he believed that the attempt would not
succeed in the end. [Laughterl 1t would be
to the credit Of the church. however, to make
the attempt. The question put and the
report adopted by an almost unanimous vote.
Th,s finishes the important business Of the
assembly of 1880, and at noon 1t adjourned
until Monday morning.