New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-30
REVISION STIRS A BREEZE.
A SLIGHT BREAK IN THE CALM DISCUSSION
OVER THE CREED.
PERSONAL STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS WHO
HAVE BEEN MIsUNDERsTooD-APPEALI
FROM THE MoDERAToR's DECISION

HAVE BEEN DERsTooD-APPEALING
FROM THE MoDERAroR's DECISION
A NEW CHAPTER PROPOSED
six speeches were contributed yesterday to the
confession of Faith discussion three in favor of the
report recommending revision and a new Greed two
opposed TO the entire report, and favoring re
vision and opposing the proposed Greed. There was
also spirited debate point of order resulting in
an appeal from the decision Of the moderator, with
an overwhelming vote sustaining him. Two mem
hers TO explain statements regarding their action
at previous meetings of the body. One of the brethren
In his speech submitted copy of the third chapter
of the Confession he would like 70 see it revised
DR.. Henry Dyke, of the Brick CHURCH, made
a personal statement in regard to the evident mis-
understanding on the part Of Professor Paxton IN
reference to the much-discussed tag on the dog"
figure of speech introduced on the inst day OF the
debate, and repeated several times since DR.. van
MIKE used il in the opening sentences Of his address
ON Monday, but did without making any personal
reference to Dr. Paxton. He rose yesterday to take
hack ANYTHING that he had said II, in the opinion OF
the moderator, DR.. Paxton or any member OF the
presbvtery he had said anything that he should not
DIR. sample with that dry humOr that characterizes
many NJ his rulings assured DR.. Dyke that he
Thought he had made sufficient explanation adding;
We want no new confession"
mr. HALL ANSWERS SOME CRITICISMS.
Later IN the debate DR.. John Hall gained the floor
% make statement in answer to some OF the
erpressions criticising his conduct in Directing 10
the committees report in January, when
he had seemed to commend it in December DR..
Hall said that he had sat still the other day when
,he pastor of the Central Church 1.-THE Rev. Wilton
Merle smith, had dwe upon his Inconsistency in TINS
respect. but now that he from the papers that
,hc pasor of the First Church he Rev. R. D. Harlan
had referred to it also, with allusion to Philip
drunk and Philip sober" he thought it fair to make
a statement in regard to his position He then eX-
planned why he absent from the Presbytery meeV
ing in November when the vote the first question
I'm the Assembly's overture was answered; ne was III
Philadelphia helping brother minister
Upon his return to this city DR.. Hall said that lie
was NAMED 10 hear of some of the speeches that had
been made in the Presbytery he was panied stu
more to hear aferward of Of the sermons preached
on the following sunday, and he saw in the papers
such expressions as Calvinism must CO." ETC. III
December he was present the meeting OF the Pres
bytery when the report was presented ana ne Inaue
the statement then that he hoped the worldenleh'-
enng editor who had been announcing to the pubhc
that Calvinsm must go, would give equal prominence
10 the report Of the committee
The Rev. Mr.. Harlan explained that he meant
simply that in his opinion the first opinion eX
pressed by Dr. Hall wac the soberest OPINION ana
This opinion he still retained
RISING TO THE SUPPORT OF THE MODERATOR.
The Rev. j. II. McIlvalne, Of the Church of the
Covenant and his elder, DR.. Collins rose at the same
time 10 speak on the report. The pastor and his
elder are on opposite Sides Mr.. Mcllvaine favorng
lie report Dr. sample read the rule which asserts
tie proprety of alternating speeches when the sent-
nent Of the house is divided. As the first speaker
of the afternoon the Rev. Jesse F. Forbes, OF the
Adams Memorial Church. favored revision of the old
Confession but spoke against the recommendations OF
lew Greed it was not certain whether he should be
.lassed for or against the report While DR.. Sample
vas irving to solve the problem, Professor Briggs of
the Union Seminary, decided it in these words;
Mr. McIvaine is clearly entitled to the hoOr.'
Dr. Sample brought down his gavel in manner not
to be misunderstood, as he said in decided tone
The Moderator will decide who is in order"
Professor Brown Dr. Briggs's colleague tried to
pacy matters by Offering the suggestion that the rule
said it was proper" that the sides should alternate
The Rev Walter D. Buchanan said that the Moderator
was clearly entitled to follow the Book.
Dr. sample asserted that he was not standing there
IN defence of his position DR.. J. c. Bliss, Of the
Washington Heights Church. let few drops Of Oil fall
into the waves but Mr.. McIlvaine and DR.. Briggs
were bound to know the temper of the house; the
uasor appealed from the decision of the Moderator and
the Professor seconded the appeal The answer OF the
Pre,bytery was an overwhelming vote in sustaining Dr.
sample.
SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS MADE on BOTH SIDES.
IT.
for a moderate revision of the Greed. lie was rev.
erent in his aIuson to the Confession, conteDding
merely that person in reading some of its chapters
gets different impression from what he receives when
reading the Bible. He not think that this Is tho
age for the making of new Greed.
Mr.. NcIvaine's reasons for voting for the report
were a That the Confession does not honestly
and fairly represent the faith Of the Presbyterian
Church. The Confession is radically, rigidly Calvin
stic while the faith of the Church is mildly Calvin
stic o. The Westminster standards do not fairly rep
resent God. They represent one view of God, but
do not show Him the Heavenly Father. lie
desires Greed that will present the smiling
face as well as the " frOwnng Providence"
DR.. Collins protested against the indecorous haste
shown in the discussion, which he would not call
debate. Through the pressure of insufficient oppor
tunty truth is going by default. He is opposed to
the report this very also for the haste made
necessary and insufficient time afforded for LAYING
has marked those who favor revision
and this report
CHANGES PROPOSED IN THE THIRD CHAPTER.
In his speech which, TO use the Moderators terms,
was fun of the spirit of Christ DR.. John c. Bliss, OF
the Washington Heights Church. submitted a revised
chapter on the DEGREES of God. He spoke in a most
cOncilistory manner in his effort to bring the con,
Servatves into line He favors reconsideration of
the vote the question Of revision taken in Novem.
ber that the Presbytery may answer the first part OF
the overture " Yes" His revised chapter complete
j. follows the first section remaining as II Is now
IN the Westminster symbols:
l. God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy
counsel OF His will freely and unchangeaby ordain
whatsoever TO pass yet thereby neither Is
God the author Of sin violence offered to the will OF
liberty gency of second
causes taken away, but rather established.
Before the foundation OF the world laid God in
His rich mercy hath chosen in Christ salvation and
holiness. people out of every kindred and nation and
tongue Of men-a vast host that no man can number
who with the elect angels shall share glory God
forever
g. Those who are thus made accepted in the Beloved
not because Of any in themselves as OF re.
pentance or faith or good moving God thereunto
but solely because of the pleasure of His will wherein
He deghteth in the OF men Moreover has