Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-09

uQlaDDV
not involving the integrity of our system
Three views are entertained in regard to the
revision of the standards The hrSt may be
! called the extremely conservative view, pro-
nouncing all attempts to altar them sacre.
| llgious. The second view of revision may be
| denominated the radical view which is diamet-
rically opposed to the one given above. 1t be-
lieves in no creed but the Bible and prefers
making new standards to revising the old ones.
An attempt to construct new confession with
such doctrines as that Of the Trinity, election,
perseverance of the saints and even prefer
ition left out would not only open Hood gates
not easily shut but endanger donations and be-
| quests amounting to millions of dollars. The
adoption of q declaratory statement might not
be particularly Questionable but even that
would give rise to the belief that the most pow
erful bulwark of evangelical truth had become
q house divided against itself.
The third view of revision is that whichac-
ceptS the term as meaning to omit, to lop on, to
amend, to change all unnecessary and OBJ
jectionable matters, when it can be done with
out affecting the integrity of our system of
doctrine.
METHODS OF REVISION.
Iwould recommend that the Confession be
revised:
First, in respect to its tone or spirit. The
main reason for the desire expressed for a re-
vision of the confession is not, as some allege
because q large number Of our ministers and
members have ceased to accept itas system
vaded the church. Let the great principles of
truth which emancipated the church and the
world from the thraldom Of despotism remain
as the only creed that can mako strong Chris
tians but introduce into them here and there
the spirit of love. This may be done by adding
q few sentences which shall wreath Gods SOW
ereignty with the rays of HIS love.
l would recommend a revision of the confess
sion. secondly, in respect to its attitude toward
the world. It cannot be denied that there is q
difference between the church and the stand
ards IN this regard A few sentences embody-
ing the substance of John iii. l6. and similar
passages in the Epistles would make the atti-
tude of the creed and that Of the church iden-
tical.
/ would recommend a revision of the confess
sion, thirdly, in respect TO Its statements con-
cerning those who die in infancy, and not on
thar account capable of being brought to Christ
through the ministry OF the Word. Candor
compels me to admit that not ALL If majority,
of the trainers of the confession believed that
all children dying in infancy were elected. As
there is no direct teaching of Scripture on this
substitute the word "all' for ''elect" and thus
bring the confession into accord with the pres
ent views of the whole church,
BELIEFS OF THE MAJORITY.
/ would recommend a revision of the confess
sion fOurthly, In respect to its treatment of the
doctrine of preterition. A few slight changes
in the statement of this doctrine would reduce
into harmony the teachings of the standards
and the views entertained by the great body of
believers concernlngi it,
would recommend q revision Of the con-
fession, filthy, in respect to the philosophy
taught in two or three of the chapters. While
the Scripture doctrines should remain intact,
the philosophy, II not in accord with the gen.
eral belief of our times should be changed.
would recommend the revision of the con-
fession, lastly,in respect to controversialdeclar
ations based on doubtful exegesis of Scrip
ture- The best Of modern commentators do
not hold that Thes ii, iii, iv do teach that the
Pope is anti-Chris nor do they admit thatthe
Scriptures teach that vows of perpetual
single life and professed poverty are SINFUL
snares in which no osChristial may entaDgle him.
SELF" Such declarations, If Objectionable to q
large number of our members, should be
omitted by the revision committee.
II such plan as l have indicated should be
adopted, elements in the church which may in
time develop into parties or factions will be
brought together and united for more aggres-
siVe work in the future. 1t may also lead to the
construction before long OF creed by the Pan
Presbyterian Alliance which shall be based on
Gods love- and not on his sovereignty. More
in my opinion. is to be feared from timd con-
servatism, in the matter of revision than from
q wise and manly movement under the guild
ance of Gods spirit q
REV. DIR. DICKEY, OF PHILADELPHIA.
Rev, DR.. Charles A. Dickey, of Phila-
delphia, writes:
cannot better express my views on revision
than have expressed them in this paper which
l have prepared, and which is now being con-
Bidered by my Presbytery:
The Presbytery of Philadelphia would re-
spectfully answer the overture of the General
Assembly regarding revision by declaring
its judgment TO be that, instead of attempting
any revision Of our present standards, we
should, as soon as possible, adopt a brief but
dnclaraI0ry Nrhi
shall set forth IN plain terms the vital and
fundamental doctrines of our confession and
the faith of the Church, and we hereby re-
spectfully overture the General Assembly to
appoint a representative committee, to confer
with committees of other churches, holding
with us the Westminster standard, If the way
may be clear, and to propose such deciaratory
statement, to be submitted to the Presbyteries
for their consideration and action.
FIrst-I think we should do something to re-
move misapprehenson and to provide a more
concise statement OF doctrine for general use
in the church.
Second-I am opposed to any attempted re-
vision of the Westminster standards: (a) be-
cause am convinced that such an attempt will
fail 10 remove difficulties, unless the revision
would be much more radical than would be
safe: (b) because If revision is once made the
policy of the church, it will likely become
continual disturbance and lead to q continual
suggestion of change.
Third prefer a declaratory statement be.
cause it seems TO me to offer better solution
of difficulties and to be the safer and better
way.
plant existing standards. but TO amend and in
terpret them and to set them forth in more
concise and convenient form.
REV. DIR. HAMLIN, OF WASHINGTON.
Rev. DR.. Tennis 8. Hamlin, Washington,
D. C., writes:
1 am in favor Of a limited revision Of the con.
fesson Of faith within the lines of historic Cal
vinism- find in it certain controversial utter
ances which do not properly belong to such q
document, and certain unscriprural, or extra
scTiptural, statements. These desire to have
expunged find, also. lack of Just balance
and relationship Of truths, which d esre reme-
died by change of emphasis And, especially,
find no adequate statement of the love of God
for all mankind; His abundant provision for the
salvation of all in the atonement of His Son,
and His sincere offer of mercy and grace to
every creature. This desire to see promin-
emily inserted.
The third chapter should be so reconstructed
chiefly by omission as to exclude all supralap-
Barian bias and not to Imply in any way that
600 created any human beings Tor the purpose
of condemning them. The idea that He does
this to manifest His glory is unscripJural;
since His glory is in salvation, not destruction.
The doctrines OF inability and free will should
be so stated as not to destroy human responsible
ity The doctrine OF imputation, both of sin and of
righteousness, should be so guarded as to avoid
all appearance of legal fiction. The sweeping
condemnation of the whole heather world
should be modified in accordance with the
teachings of Scripture in the case of such men
as Cornelius, Acts, Z. The confession should
assert the salvation of all infants dying in in
fancy, in accordance with the present faith and
teaching of the church. The doctrine Of crea-
tion should conform to modern scientific knowl-
edge. All controversial illusions to the Church
Of Rome should be omitted. The privilege and
duty of foreign missions should be clearly
stated. And esnecially Gods love for all the
wcrlu, the sincerity of His universal offer of
pardon, and His unwillingness that any should
perish should be emphasized. This is the sali-
ent point at which revision Is imperative and
far franScands in imnnrfance neralr rarlrnl