Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-03

GAVIN Deneveo IN lnfant damnaton and also the
members OF the Westminster assembly there
was no reason to leave that doctrine in
the confession Of today. Men did not believe
It The church did not believe 1t. Therefore
| he thought 1t was the right thing to leave 1t
out Dr. Bartlett said that he was in favor Of
discussion He thought 1t was Q good thing
for men to think, but he was confident that the
| church would come out stronger and better
He believed all that DR.. Chester had said in
regard to the Catholic church, but he thought
| ences. He believed 10 fighting the Catholic
| church when 1t was wrong, but there was
no Use IN CALLING NAMES.
The Catholic church might speak of how CAL
| vim had burned Servetus and other matters
which would be unpleasant He said that he
had noticed one thing. Every one in
TINS discussion had said that they
were in favor of some changes.
ibis, however, was denied by Judge Drake,
| who claimed that he had never made such an
ADMISSION, and he offered to bring a written
copy OF his speech to confirm his words. DR..
Bartlett said that might be SO, but he was in Q
minority.
INFANT DAMNATIoN.
When DR.. Bartlett concluded Rev. Dr.
Bullock arose to deny that Calvin had taught
the doctrine Of infant damnation. He said
that neither in the writings Of Calvin or of the
members OF the Westminster assembly could
proof be fonnd that such a doctrine was held.
Dr. Bartlett maintained his position and
spoke Of a recent article by Rev. Henry Van
Dyke where this view was advanced A run
ming hre OF questions then took place between
Dr: Bartlett and members Of the presbytery,
but the former said he begged to have q differ
ence Of opinion on this question.
Rev. Mr.. Van wyck then took the floor and
spoke in opposition to revision. During the
course Of his remarks no said that opposition
to the confession arose mainly from ignorance
OF the confession and doctrines of the church.
As the speaker has had several
TILTs WITH DIR. BARTLETT
during the progress of this discussion, which,
though fierce in tone, were good humored, the
direction of gestures and his manner seemed to
indicate that he had special reference to Dr.
Bartlett.
The latter created considerable amusement
by arising and remarking that the speaker
seemed to be aiming at him all the time in
stead OF the presbytery, and he thought that
he would not be able to stand it. Amid roars
of laughter in which Mr.. Van Wyck joined, he
lmplored the presbytery to defend him from
this terrible man.
After this little diversion Mr.. Van Wyck con-
tlnued his remarks. When he concluded Rev.
j. A. Whitaker took the floor and spoke in OPP
position to revision. He deprecated changes
church more popular with the world. He sus-
pected that there was good deal Of this feel
ing in the movement.
His remarks were interrupted by the modera-
tor, who announced that the hour for recess
had come.
Before adjourning Judge Drake called atten-
ton that his substitute was before the presby-
terry which held that the entire proceeding was
unconstitutional.
SUBSTITUTE FOR THE MAJORITY REPORT
Rev. Mr.. Ramsdell also offered substitute
for the majority report OF the committee which
opposed revision, but favored the preparation
of short and simple creed by the Presbyterian
church OF the United States in cooperation
with Presbyterian and Reformed of America
OF Great Britain, of Ireland, the continent.
These substitutes will be voted upon this af-
ternoon. The presbytery then took a recess.
AFTER RECESS.
Upon assembling again, in accordance with
the resolution adopted at the last meeting, the
members OF the committee making the report
had the floor. The first was Rev. DR.. Bittlnger
DR. BITTINeER's ADDRESS,
In the opening portion of his remarks DR..
Bittinger by the earnestness and solemnity of
his manner showed how deeply he recognized
the importance Of the occasion. He began BY
saying: 1T Is with no ordinary emotions ad-
dress myself to the consideration Of the cues
ton now under discussion by this presbytery
Never before in the whole period of my min
more serious in ITSELF or one which, in the an
swer that may be given to it, involves more
important consequences to the church. feel
as doubtless you all feel, that to favor even a
tentative movement toward the revision of the
confession of faith of the PRESBYTERIAN church
incurs a responsibility and imposes an obiga-
ton which. when assumed, may well challenge
patient elaboration, careful investigation and
judicial treatment"
THE PROGRESS OF THOUGHT
While. he went on to say, the revision will be
attended by difficulties it should also be re-
membered that because product of fallible
men it is susceptible Of improvement and NAV
in the light of experience gained in the course
OF 200 years be made even more acceptable to
the church and to the world. The acknowl-
edged progress of the nineteenth century gives
US decided advantage in the forms Of state
ment of doctrines, which may at least Justify
the attempt that is now proposed to be made
While he had no hesitation in expressing his
admiration and reverence for the confession of
| faith as an honored and venerable depository
OF all essential doctrines revealed in the scrip
lures, still, in favoring a revision, it was not
with any desire or purpose to eliminate
a single doctrine distinctively Calvinistic;
neither by any change OF phraseology, modif-
| cation OF statement or suggestion of exegesis
to effect its confessional integrity. His single
aim was to propose those amendments which, if
adopted, will bring it into closer correspondence
with the teachings of the Word of God and
make it more truly the confession of faith Of
| the ministers, elders and communicates of the
Presbyterian church; remove the cause of
stumbling to those within and the occasion Of
reproach to those without relieve the church
of the necessity Of continually defending it with
explanations of its real meaning and thereby
conserve and perpetuate its integrity.
THE CONSERVATIVE SENTIMENT
The speaker referred to the sentiment shared
by not a few averse to any change, which was
inspired in some cases by the historic associa-
tons of the confession with the life and growth
Of the church and in the case OF others by a
fear that revision once begun cannot be
checked and will seriously affect, if not DESTROY
| some Characteristic doctrine of the Calvinlstic
| system. He though that sentiment, however
much to be respected, is not always a true cri-
terion Of conduct, while the fears expressed, in
his opinion, are not justified by the changes
| that are proposed to be made or by the charac-
ter of those advocating such changes He
| thought that nothing was to be gained in the
| settlement of this question by the impugning
of motives or the disparagement OF zeal on the
| one side or the other. 1t is a question to be
decided by intelligent conviction after careful
| and deliberate discussion. With the mutual
| acknowledgment of the ZEAL loyalty and SINGER
ity of the two parties to this discussion he had
no doubt that in the Presbyterian church Of
today there is under divine direction enough
WISDOM, LOYALTY AND PIErY
to make these changes in the confession, which,
80 far from effectlng its confessional integrity,
will rather conserve and perpetuate it. Instead
of viewing revision from a pessimistic stand
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