Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-11
DISCUSSING EXPERIMENTATION.
Members of the Presbytery Debatin
the Proposed Revision.

Members of the Presbytery Debating
the Proposed Revision.
THE QUESTION OF INFANT Observation-Disclosures
WHO THINK THERE IS NO scRIPrURAL AUTHOR
Irr roR Ir--JupaE DRAKE PROTESTS AGAINST
MAKING CHANGES IN THE CONFESSION.
The discussion Of the proposed changes in
the confession Of faith was resumed by the
Washington city presbytery at the session to-
day. Yesterday the debate was mainly con-
fined to those sections upon which is based the
doctrine Of reprobation. A vote had not been
reached when the presbytery adjourned late
yesterday afternoon.
''FoREoRpAINED TO EVERLASTING DEATH"
This morning the debate was opened by Rev.
Mr.. Edwards. He said that he was in favor of
the first change proposed, which is as follows:
In chapter three, section three, which reads
by the decree Of God for the manifestation
OF his glory some men and angels are pre-
destinsted unto everlasting life and others fore
ordained to everlasting DEATH" omit the words
after life.
These words, he said, were generally misun-
derstood and for this reason, in his opinion
they ought to be omitted. In addition the
doctrine that men are foreordAined to. ever
lasting death was opposed to that Of free Saliva
ton The impression which plain, common
people, not logicans or ministers, were likely to
have Of these words seemed to the speaker
to be Inconsistent with. the character
| OF Christ, who Is represented in the Bible as
weeping over sinners. This doctrine would
further indicate that God was q respecter of
| persons, which, the speaker said. was opposed
| to the teachings of the Bible. II was further
taught that God gave every man q chance,
| and this doctrine seemed to teach that it was
not possible for every man to be saved.
''UNscRIPruRAL AND UNTRUE"
In reply to question by Rev. Dr.. Chester.
the speaker said that he thought the words
| "and others foreordained to everlasting death"
were unscriptural and untrue. 1t made the
| salvation Of such men impossible, that
is the common sense view Of It. He
did not believe that any minister would preach
the doctrine that men are condemned from the
beginning to death. 1t was opposed to COM
mon sense and the Bible. There was no doubt
the plain people. He wanted the gospel Of
love IN his heart and wanted to preach it
DOCTRINE xIsuNpERsrooD.
The next speaker, Rev. DR.. Bartlett, COM
mended the explanation made by the commit
| tee OF their motives in recommending changes
He read the opening statement Of the report,
which 10 ~ follows: I'VE do not desire apy
| sweeping Vevision Of the confession of faith
| nor such - would eliminate from it the system
/
He spoke Of o conversation he had with a
man whom he described a. having given more
in charity than any other individual Of the
age. This man who resides here, he said,
ask asked him II ne believed IN calvinism
asked how it could be possible that God
would treat men in way that parents would
| not treat their children, condemn them 80
everlasting death: DR.. Bartlett said that be
tried to explain the doctrine and told him that
But he said that the explanation
was not satisfactory. The man
was turned away from the Presbyterian church.
He cited another case Of distinguished priest
who had been chosen - one Of the elders Of
| Of this doctrine. He explained and talked with
him and finally his objections were silenced.
But what 10 the use, ssked the speaker,
Of retaining in the confession statements
which are capable of doubtful meanings. he
then went on TO say that the question Wa
| whether the Bible presented gospel OF dsmna-
ton or Of salvation. When Il Was considered
that the entire plan Of salvation was based on
the fact that Christ came into the world
no question that il Va. . gospel
Of salvation. He said that God had not pre-
pared place for the condemned, for IL wa
said that the lost were sent 70 the place pre-
pared for the devil and his angels. Il seems.
the speaker maintained, that provision for the
future OF sinners vas not In Gods plan. He
urged that this whole question be reviewed from
broad grounds and not encumbered with pet IT.
questions and theological theories.
sEIlxvxs n CHARACTERIZATION.
II believe that God forsordained ell things, "
vas the opening remark Of the next speaker,
Rev. Nehemiah Copp. II believe" be added,
that II vas foseordainsd that vas 10 speak
on this question" The member Of ths Dr..
bytery smiled 1t this application Of ~
doctrine Of foreordiuatioa. Xr. Corn vent on n
say that hs did not believe thas 6od did moi
s1rsknow and did NOT act upon the knowisdes.
saivstion 70 the world God knew ~
some would fyiect e and other.