Iron County register., 1890-05-29
The PRESBYTERIANS.

a Revision Commission of Elders and
Ministers.
SARAToGA \, y. Y, May 22-In the
PRESBYTERIAN General Assembly this
morning Dr. kneeland, of San Francis
CO. offered resolution that the special
committee on publica tiOn be continued
another year in order that it may meet
and confer with the reference commit.
tee in the matter of the board of publi-
cation reports: also rendering q vote of
thanks TO the special committee for
their faithful work during the year.
\ dozen commissioners at once clam
ored for the floor.
motion was made to strike out all
of the resolution except that part re-
turning thanks. 1t was defeated by
roar of nays and Dr. kneelands resolu-
ton was adopted. The special order of
the day was the report of the commit
tee on methods of effecting changes in
the confession and constitution.
DR.. Roberts, of Cincinnati, read the
report and addressed the assembly in its
support. He said section six of the re-
port was compromise. The commit
tee was a unit on that section as it
stands. Three modes were recommend
ed by which the changes in the consti-
tuition might be made. Section Z is
practically recognition of the adopt
ing act and provides the shortest possi-
BILE method of amending the doctrinal
constitution DR.. Roberts said the COM
mlttee was practically unit on the
report Great applausel.
DR.. Patton, of Princeton, said there
had been mutual concession without
surrender OF opinion on either side.
DR.. Van Dyke, of Brooklyn, said:
This report is the result of a COM
promise of opinion, not of truth. 1t is
peace measure, and it clears the way
for a conservative reviSion-not radical
revision, as l have been falsely report
ed as saying-of the confession" Ho
closed by quoting:
There is fOunt about to stream,
There is light about to CLEAN,
There is a morning twilight broadening into
day,
Men of thought and men OF action, cl ear
the way.
Dr.. Patterson SO heartily approved
the report that ne did not think an ex-
planation of his position necessary.
The question of adoption was put and
brought out a prompt and emphatic
yea. To the question of the contrary
there was a solitary nay" from the
rear of the church. There was a shout
of laughter, then a storm of hearty,
lOng-continued applause.
Whilst the assembly stood DR.. Crosby
offered fervent prayer of thanks for
the result, and when the assembly sat
down again. it looked like Mrs. Fezzi-
wig-''One vast, substantial smile"
IL
adopting act and paves the way for re-
vision.
DR.. Patton read the report Of the COM
mittee on canvass of overtures to the
presbyteries on revision. When
DR.. Patton finished reading the
list of the presbyteries which OBJ
jecUed to any changes that would
affect the system of doctrine. DR.. Van
Dyke said that Brooklyn had been
omitted. They can't include Us among
the radicals" remarked the doctor Sotte
r0re as he resumed his seat. The ex-
ample was infectious, and Jersey City,
Morris, Orange, Idaho, Dayton and a
dozen other presbyteries were named
by commissioners as having been omit
ed from the list. The moderator re-
questcd the commissioners wishing TO
make changes to meet with the com
mittee this afternoon. The report was
received and referred back for correc-
ton.
DR.. McCracken. of New York, offered
the following resolutions:
Section l. 1t is resolved By this General
Assembly to provide for the appointment of
a committee of revision to present to the
next General Assembly report embodying
such changes in our confession of faith in
form, ready to be overturned to the presby-
teres will meet the present needs OF ou:
church
Sec. ?. The mode of appointment of this
committee shall be follows: The COM
missioners to this assembly of all presby
terics of each synod are instructed to meet
together in a committee, upon - May
-, at O'Clock, under q chairman named
by the moderator and at place
assigned by the Assembly. Each
committee is instructed to report to the As
sembly the name of such minister or minis
ters and of such ruling elder orruling elders
belonging to their own synod as they deem
best qualified to serve upon the committee
of revision; but no committee shall report
names to exceed in number onc-siNth of the
number of commissioners to this Assembly
from within their synod. Where this rule
allows but one name to be recommended by
committee, it may be the name of such
minister or elder as the committee may
ported til ey shall be the names of ministers
and elders in the proportion of two to one
as II early as possi ibIe. Any committee may
excuse itself from reporting any name.
From among the whole number OF names
thus reported by the twenty nine commit
tees composed of commissioners from the
presbytcrjes of the twenty nine synods, the
number to be about eighty four. The mod
orator this Assembly shall select fourteen
ministers and elders to act as the commit
tee - revision
Sec. ?. The committee of revision thus cOn-
Stituted shall meet at the call of 4 temporary
chairman To be named by the moderator.
and shall, upon meeting, appoint their own
permanent chairman.
Sec l. To the committee OF revision thus
apDointed are referred all the answers to
the questions respecting revision presented
by the General Assembly of 1889 which have
been received by the Assembly.
Sec. ). The committee of revision is in
structed To meet at an early date. not later
than October 81. 1890. and diligently to pur-
sue its work that it may report promptly at
the meeting of the General Assembly OF $50
Dr. Patton moved TO make the resolu-
tion the second order for tomorrow
morning. Carried. Recess
Unlooked-For Answer to Prayer.