New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-15

Assembly that steps should be taken toward the
preparation of a new Creed. The Prcsbytrry OF
Nassau in 1885 simply asked tha' propcI scPS
be taken for revision OF nc 'Illru c4aP - y" va
the Confession Of Faith. with special I'ietc.' NV
to sections j. 1. and ! me ac'loh VI '''
Assembly last year was as follows W,
Whereas In tho opinion Of many Of orr ministers ana
people, some forms Of statement in our Confession are
liable to misunderstanding, and expose our s!S'e" Vi
doctrine 10 unmefited criticism ana
Whereas Before any definite steps should DC taken
for revision OF standards, Is ueS'i"o,e W MN"
whether there is any general desire Tor such ic'i''o"
therefore
Resolved. That this General Assembly overture 10 the
Presbyeries the following questions: ID Do you desire
revision Of the Confession OF faithl " IL 3D. III
what respects and to what extent
ASKING FOR 4 NEW CREED.
Some of the Presbytcrics have declined 10
answer tie overture, simply stating that 'he%
desired a new Crccd others have requested
new Creed and in order to secure 1t have voted
arainst revising the present symbols OF the
Church. Other Prcsbytcries have voted Tor kc-
vision now and the new Creed as soon as they
can yet il. The New-Iork Prcsbytery added to
its affirmative answer this overture to The AS
sembly: .
esorbv had IN mind referring these questions 70 the
p-csbycrc your committee recommends that this Pres
bvterv overture the General Assembly TO invite the CO.
o,,on q, the Presbyterian and reformed Churches Of
America.
short simple Creed couched so far as may be In Scripture
language and containing all the essential and necessary
articles Of the Westminster Confession whch Creed snail
be submitted for approval and adoption as IN" common
Greed Of the presbyterian anu ne Ae'oi'Vo '""''' "
the world 49,,
We believe that there is demand for such Creed
not as substitute for Confession. but only TO sum
Marie and supplement II for the work OF the 'huIch'
We would and must retain our Standards. when we
have AS our family inheritance and as the safeguard Of
our ministry and our institutions. But brief and com
prehensve Creed at once Interpreting and repFe''hE
those Standards would be welcomed by our churches a.
most helrful and henccent for c exposition OF what we
have meant through all these years by The system Of
doctrine taught IN the Holy Scriptures We want no
new doctrines but only statement OF the old doctrines
made in the light aud in the spirit OF our present CHRISTIAN
activities OF high privileges and our large obsh'
.ons statement in which the love Of God which Is In
Christ Jesus our Lord shall be central and dominant.
REPORT OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
Another important matter that is TO come he
for. tho Assembly will be the report of The
Special Committee appointed TO revise the Proof
Texts Of the Standards This committee has been
at work for two years. and has prepared a IMPORT
IN tho texts relating to the Confession OF Faith
which il will submit at this session The i'm
no-tance of this report will be felt when one
considers that much of the debate during the
winter on the advsability of revising the Con-
fcsson was fought on this very ground that the
Proof Texts of the Standards, especially those
which relate 10 the doctrine Of the DEGREES. did
not warrant the differences dcduced from them.
The friends Of Revision are anxious that II
should come up al an early stage In the proceed
ipcs that if there he discussion il may take
place before the members weary with the
meetings and before they begin to separate. II
seems probable now that little will be done this
year further than TO receive the answers TO the
overtures and 10 submit the whole subject - a
special committee. which shall report 10 the next
Assembly. Some Of the conservative men who
believe that the present overture is unconsttu-
tional may decide To oppose the reception OF me
overturcs on the ground that the Assembly had
no right TO originate the question of change IN
the Confession. There will lso be question
raised undoubtedly as 10 whether, II the over
turc he a proper one. a majority Of the PPsoN-
tcries or two-thrds Of the whole number are re-
CURED to give their consent before change can
be ordered. If these questions are raised II vii!
be against thr advice Of many OF the con scrya-
tives who believe in letting the majority rule and
"a the majority has expressed its dissatisfaction
with the Confession as II is to-day.
THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH.
There will BE- many popular meetings in add
ton to the business sessions, when the work of
tie Church in its various departments Will be
emphasized. The following statistical table con
tains in brief the record OF the growth and
progress OF the Church for nearly $50 years.
Prior 10 l1s9 accurate figures seem q be unat-
taina bic: