New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-26
THE PRESBYTERIAN DEBATE.

The debate of the Presbytery OF New DIX
upon the question of revising the Confession
has been conducted with great freedom OF Ut
terance. but with entire reverence OF spirit
II has been followed with deep interest by
great body of intelligent readers. IL cannon
fail to produce lasting impression oil man!
minds Few discussions which are technically
based upon points of doctrine possess so Wlae
significance for the whole Christian world
II was right that the practlca settlement OF
long controversy should he attempted AT TINS
time. and there is every reason why opposing
Vows sbould now he maintained without acri-
monv and without cowardice. The spirit in
which the arguments of strenuous advocates
and opponents of revision have been presented
is in the highest degree becoming and com
mcndable.
There is no doubt that up 10 the present
time the current has set strongly toward re-
vision. OF 211 PrcShytcric> - have voted on
the question, and Of these on y IL have voted
against any and every alteration of the Creed.
While therefore, the final result is still too re-
mote and uncertain to Justify confident pre-
dction. the advocates OF revision have cause
for announcement and it's opponents some
ground for apprehension. It is TO be observed
that not a few of the eminent men who are UNI
willing 10 see even the smallest modification
of the Confession now attempted have frankly
acknowledged their regret that some of its cN-
prcssons were not originally different. They
dread its exposure to mutiaion in general
more than they desire its rcciliicatlon IN Ger
tain particulars. and they are therefore con
strained 10 oppose all changes. This attitude
NAV bc logical aS it certainly l. conscientious.
but in the very nature of things an argument
which begins with such a concession affords
some degree of comfort and support TO the adj
verSary.
An adverse vote by n majority OF the Pres
bvtcrics would doubtless postpone revision for
a considerable time, but we cannot believe that
il would dspel the doubts, or even calm the
agitation to which the present conflict bears
witness The Greed OF the Church must ultl-
mately be the Creed OF a majority of its mem
hers. and we cannot conceive OF any safer as
scrton than that there is vast prcpondcrance
Of intelligent opinion and honest feeling against
the rigid exclusions of the Presbyterian Con
fesSon Whatever the tongue may utter, the
human heart protests against the investment OF
God with qualities which are intuirycly rccog-
nizod a. dcSpicahle in man. The lines OF
Whittier contain the whole argument:
But nothing can De good IN Him
Which evil (, in me.
From that conclusion the intellect will seek
in vain 70 provide a way Of escape. IN in
cxorable instinct Will reject it. Logic is help
less to contradict the soul.
Ecclesiastical tradition and authority hayc
little power in these days TO compel either be-
lief or acquic,ccncc. No worShippcr who Shud-
dcrs al the literal acccptation of his Creed will
be convinced by the votes of All the PrcSby-
tcrics in ChriStcndom, and no clergyman TO
whose conscience the formal subscription 10
doctrines which he cannot preach SayorS Of
hypocrisy will be able to transfer the burden
which Expresses him 10 the shoulders Of ma
jority We find il impossible 10 imagine that
this discussion will ever be closed until the
Confession Of Faith has been SO amended as 10
tolerate at least a doubt concerning matters
which revelation has left in darkness.