The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-02-02
old CALVIN DISCUSSED.
Shall the Westminster Con-
fession Of Faith Be
Revised?
OPINIONS OF PRESBYTERIAN CLERGYNB.
The Rev. Mr.. Herr is Against Ii;
the Rev. Mr.. Hathaway for
1t; DR.. McKelyey
Stands Midway.


The Presbytery of Jersey City viii have
an important session next Tuesday in the
Second Presbyterian Church, Third
street At that session a committee APP
pointed several months ago for the pur-
pose, viii present a report relative to the
proposition to revise and eliminate GER
tain objectionable portions Of the West
minister Confession of Faith. The subject
is one Of intense interest, not only to the
Presbyterian Church, but also to all
Christian denominations. whether be-
levers in Calyinism or in the broader
doctrines Of free salvation.
In view of the interest which the COM
ing session viii create, and the import
anee OF the subject, THE JERSEY CRY
NEWS, in its desire to keep its readers
thoroughly posted on the real topics of the
day, has collected the opinions Of several
of the Presbyterian clergy Of this city on
the subject.
| At the parsonage Of tho First Presby-
terrain Church, OF Bergen, met the pas
| te the Rev. Charles Herr, to ascertain
his position on che question.
Il think the better way TO obtain indi-
vidual views" he said, would be TO wait
| for the meeting and report the speeches
! made"
CALyINIsTfc TO THE BACK BONE.
shall say that you decline to express
I your views in advance of the session.
"No, " he answered, Il have no objection
/ to the public knowing my position in the
/ matter. am opposed to the revision. |
| believe in preserving the old SYMBOL, be
cause, in my opinion, it is scripturaL |
1 think the agitation by those in favor of
revision arises more from sentiment than
desire to conform to the scriptural
teachings"
Speaking specially on the subject of
/ election or predestination, he was EN-
/ phatic in his utterances in favor Of pre-
serving Chapter No. 8, treating on the
/ subject, because in my judgment, It
teaches Scriptural truths
Replying to my question as to his atti-
tude On that portion of the confession re-
I ferring to ELECT infants" he Said:-'-The
agitation arises from the expression
elect infants used IN one place only In
| the confession and the assertion that the
confession teaches that some infants are
not elect, OF not saved. is entirely gratui-
tous. On the contrary, admire the con-
iession for SO skilltully avoiding rock,
in that very matter, and expressing no
opinion whatever upon the eternal des-
tiny of those dying in infancy.
s.Those who assert that all dying in in
fancy are saved assert that which cannot
sphere where nothing is revealed.
1.-THE confession seems to me to be no
where more ludiciouS than in the use of
that phrase, elect infants
MR.. HATHAWAY MORE liberal.
In response to my questions the Rev. /
W. Hathaway, of the Westminster Pres
byterian, frankly placed himself among
the advocates OF the revision. The
creed,' he said, sis supposed TO be the
teaching Of Gods Word, formulated bW
uninspired men, If creed never. re-
quires a revision, then the injunction to
grow in grace and knowledge has no
Significance.
Whenever church considers its creed
too sacred for revision, that church is on
the high road to papacy. Scholarship and
spiritual understanding of truth did not
die in the fifteenth century.
THE scriptures contain a full, complete
rule of faith and practice, but the inter
probation OF the scriptures is progress
5iye science. Think every church should
revise its creed whenever the enlarged
knowledge of the church seems 70 de-
mand it, The church must be careful 10
keep the scriptures in the position of su-
preme authority.
HORRIBLE DOCTRINE.
81 favor such change of the third chapter
of the confession necessary to relieve it
from the in preston that some infants
are not elect, and also that God ever
d
Trajectory of Gods great love. Reproba-
ton is punishment for sin, and / believe
in it firmly. Preterition, the preaching
that God passes some by. and that there IS
no possibility of their being saved. IS 10
me horrible doctrine. and do not be-
leye it. -
Mr.. Hathaway. speaking of the meeting
of the Presbytery Of Jersey City, to be
held TUESDAY ,said:-"l presume there viii
be full debate brought out By the report
of the committee, bat | would prefer that
action should be taken on the report
without debate, as the latter viii not al
ter an opinion, or change a vote.
The Rev. Alexander Mckelvey. pastor
of the Second Presbyterian Church, is
somewhat recticent about his stand OF
the question, and while admitting his
fayoritism for slightrevision, he refuses
to divuige his reasons therefor
FOR MODERATE REVISION
Mr.. MeKelEey is a member of the Jersey
City Presbytery, and at its meeting on
Tuesday he viii take firm stand for a
moderate revision.
The Rev. David Mitchell, pastor of the
Scotch Presbyterian Church, on Mercer
street. is reported as in favor of the reyis-
ion, but herefuses to be interviewed on
the subject.