New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-29
carefully prepared paper containing

after reading the carefully prepared paper containing
his reasons for voting for revision OF the old Con-
iession and the preparation OF new freed he asked
the substance OF his address
shall vote for the report and especially for that part
OF 10 which advocates the preparation OF and shorter
statement. NY reasons are the following:
First-I briefly the facts which have been
fully discussed namely That the Confession Of Faith has
long had distinctive place in the preaching and work
OF the Church. that has been absolutely unknown to
large number o. the MEMBERS that IL has proved an
obstacle TO the appointment to oce OF good valuable and
Intelligent that It has called fol expressions
OF dsapprovai and disbelief to certain OF It's statements
from numerous and influential quarters In the Church
These are facts In themselves they not that the
Confession is faulty needs revision but they provoke
the question. Why the facts thus When Church
so largely ignores and condemns Its standards Is time
to scrutnize both the Church and the standards
Second-l believe that the Of the difficulty lies IN
the standards in the Church. That the Church Is more
intelligent more active and aggressive. more intent upon
carrying out the Masters great commission than at any
previous time in her history and that her pety on the
whole is simpler and more practical than ever.
(a) The Confession is adapted the conditions OF
the times Gods Word is for all times and every age
must adapt itself 10 It, But cfeeds and confessions are
largely shaped by their and emphasized at the
salient points OF the controversies OF their own age and
therefore. no creed confession be for all times
(b 1t is most unfortunate when Church symbol can
not be made available IN the work OF the Church Our
formulas ought to be working tools which can be put into
too cumbrous too schOastc they theological systems
rather than compact statementsatove ALL If they cannot
be used entire they practically impoent These OBJ
jections attach 10 our Confession.
(c) But there graver objections. The Confession
claims to the Word OF God And this claim, as
respects certain statements of the Confession is cha
lenged am one OF those who challenge IT, and DECLARE
that in my opinion there important features in which
the Confession does properly represent the Word OF
God and that these features ought to be modified or ex'
plunged
(d The Third Chapter which declares that some men
and angels fceodaned everlasting DEATH and that
their number is certain that either increased
diminished. AS teacher of the New Testament Script
in Of the Churchs theological schools declare
belief that that doctrine ia not taught In the Holy
Scripture CThe speaker here gave exegesis Of the
passage in Romans which has teen quoted prove the
doctrine under dspute) If God Hlndoo
Tartar all well. L have nothing to say. but 1 not
content that God by the arbitrary decree OF His Will
should condemn me to eternal torment in hell Paul tells
me have no right TO reply am only lump Of clay in
the pOtters hands, and He has right to make of me
vessel for base IL He choose deny it, deny 1t
His representations of His character on His
invitation to whosoever will TO paiake Of the Gospel
salvation. not lump of clay, but man made
in Gods image This word OF Pauls is not the last word
II 1t would be- has truthfuly said at
satire Of herself and the suicide OF
revelation. understand how is possible for any
who declares HIS belief in that statement OF the Con-
esson into his pulpit and make free offer of saliva
ton to his congregation.
DIVISION ALREADY FACT.
Dr. Vincent next took up the statement concern
ing elect infants which he termed the implication
of infant perditon"; discussed the declaration
concerning the heather, (which gives the heather
chance whatever; spoke of the subscription for
mula in reference to the system Of doctrine" which
is understood varously by different theoogans; dep
Tecated the desire to perpetuate the name and the
thought of Calvin though he had been crucned for
tne world expressed his desire to see the love OF God
made prominent in the Confession, and spoke as
follows regarding the danger Of division in the
Church arising from the controversy over the Confess
sion
My brethren, have been urged to hold by the Con.
fcsson as it fear OF creating division. Why is it
possible is recognized ta division is already
iactq The Presbyterian Church IN these last months has
space which separates her forever from what
she was the last General assembly. Not that the
same differences OF opinion did not exist then now,
but these differences have been formulated Numerous
rresbyerics have declared their opinion that revision Of
the Confession is demanded and numerous individuals,
ministers and laynen, have expressed uhequivocay their
disbelief articles OF INT Confession. And this
division is record. We no longer united Church
before the world. We confsdy disagreed 10 our
articles of faith submit that this fact will not suffer
to go backward 1t is demonstrated that we cannot
agree the Confession 1t IS To back and rcarm
the Confession is not gcsg TO fill up that gap
1t said on this floor reply to the remark that
''Reyison the air. that there many things in
the air. and them the Prince OF the Power OF the
1t is true, Mr.. Moderator, and know Of no more
effective in tie hands of that spirit OF evil to
unity the Church and to impede her march
toward spiritual conquest, than formula OF doctrine
which preach and which she does not wholly
believe. Can we 60 forward TO something better
not by the aid of the spirit Of wisdom and unity
with all the scholarship and natured thought in our
Church. agree upon brief comprehensive simple, funda
mental statement which shall enbOdy everything that is
essential to Christian faith and doctrine. which shall
relieve and what is not least important
shall bring us nearer brethren who name the
OF Christ?
The debate will be continued to-day at ) D. m