The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-23
REASON. AND FAITH.
Conservative Presbyterians Can
Only Postpone Revision.
FUNDS FOR NEW CHURCHES


the Confession OF Faith reported, recon-
uaending that oyertures be made to the
pFesbyteries for the insertion of . new
chapter in the form of government. to the
effect that amendments or alterations in
the form III government, book OF discipline
and directory for worship may be proposed
by the general assembly to the presley
teries. but shall not be obligatory on the
church unless majority OF ell the presby-
ter!es approve thereof IN writing; that
amendments or alterations of the Comics
sion Of Faith and the Larger and Shorter
catechisms may be proposed to the presby-
teries by the general assembly. but shall not
be obligatory on the church unless
approved in writing by two-thirds Of
all the presbyteries and agreed to and
enacted by the next ensuing general assem-
bly,; that before any amendments or alter
atoms of the Confession OF Faith or the
Larger and Shorter catechisms proposed
By the general assembly shall be trans
nitied to the presby teries, the general as
sembly shall appoint. to consider the sub
iecs. committee OF ministers and elders.
in number not less than fifteen, Of whom
not more than two shall be from any one
synod. and the committee shall report its
recommendations to the general assembly
of the next ensuing year for action that
no change in this proposed new chapter
shall be made except upon the vote OF two
thirds Of the presbyteries: that upon an
overture from one-third OF the rresbyteries
it shall be obligatory upon the general as
senably to transmit to ali the presbyteries
any overture for amendments under this
new chapter, and If a majority of ali the
presbyteries vote for such alteration 1t
shall lie made. The second overture to be
submitted IS: Shall section q. chapter Il.
he stricken out?
The members of the COMMITTEES were
unanimous in their report. having made
CONCESSIONS on both sides. In answer to
question DIR. Roberts, of the committee.
said they could not drop the Westminster
edict by two-thirds vote. The report was
then passed with but one dissenting vote.
DR.. Patten, OF Princeton, chairman OF
the committee for canvassing the answers
Of the presbyteries on revision, read the re-
port There were l33 that desired revision,
as that did not and the others declined 10
answer. Many desired it. but stipulated
that the CaIvinistic character OF the stand
ard should be allowed. Considerable dis
cussion arose as to the classification of the
presbyteries. Albany refused to answer as
TO revision, but desired = new creed to be
used, side by side with the old. DR.. Nc
Cracker made the affirmative votes 1S5 and
Z negative, including Albany and Sacra-
mento in the affirmative, instead Of the
negative. This is very important point.
as the classification OF these two will decide
whether two-thirds have or have not de-
sired revision. Judge Thornton, OF San
Francisco, OF the canvassing committee,
defined its report.
DIR. McCraeken, of the committee Of re-
vision, offered series OF resolutions provid-
ing for the formation OF committee To re-
port upon all desired changes in the Con-
fesson Of Faith to the next assembly. He
said that in all the synods except five there
Is a strong balance of opinion in favor of
revision.
Elder Day. OF New York, gave notice
that tomorrow he would move an alterna-
tive plan of revision, which plan would be
printed and distributed before that time
The committee on churches recon-
mended the continuation of negotiations
with the Episcopal and other denomina-
tons for closer relations and cooperation.
number of reports were presented.
The committee on Sabbath observance rep
resented Sunday newspapers as a desecra-
ton OF the day.
The board OF church erection fund re-
ported that the number OF applications for
aid this year exceeds that OF any other
They were for 900 church buildings and
thirty-nine manses. and called for $i3G. 5a5.
or Si9.aSS more than last hear. The board
has helped Ill churches. in % synods and
90 rresbyteries. OF the states that re-
ceiyed more than ten grants. Minnesota
had II. Kansas and California IA each,
Iowa Is and Nebraska II. 1t was recon-
ncnded that $4,000 he raised for next
years work.
Rev. James NJ. Anderson, of North Da-
kota. spoke OF the fight with the lottery
people and the service rendered the cause
by the TACT that Presbyterian church build
iags could be used for meetings in oppo-
sition, when those in favor of the scheme
had pre-empted every other audience-room.
He expected tina. there would be another
similar struggle next fall.