The Irish standard., 1890-02-08
BLACK EYE FOR CAIvINISM
a Big Row Over the Confession Which
Threatens the Dismemberment
of the Church.
NEVER READ THE CONFESSION.

That's What One Minister Told the Synod,
and Wild and Exciting Scenes
Followed.
The Boston Republic furnishes very
interesting article on the break up in
the Presbyterian Church IN New York
over the proposed striking out of five
doctrinal points which have been for
years the foundation on which that
church has stood. It says: i.
The Scotch PRESBYTERIAN church on
West Fourteenth street, has been the
scene, during the past week, Of one of
the liveliest theological free fights wit
messed in this city in quarter of
century. The subject under discussion
was the w estminster confession of faith,
which constitutes the corner stone Of
Calvinjsm and tie steering gear Of the
Presbyterian hierarchy. This venerable
ecclesiastical instrument, which was
framed by the Westminster assembly Of
divines and formally adopted by the
Lords and Commons of England IN
164S. contains lot of doctrinal chest
nuts which the more progressive di-
vines of the presbytery want to strike
out as obsolete, useless and senseless.
They have fallen into a state Of inocG-
GUS desuetude which makes minstrel
jokes and circus tricks modern and
fresh by comparison. The old liners,
the conservatives and the fire eaters in
the synod, are welded to these ancient
tenets, and their fight to retain Them
IN the confession OF faith has been
stubborn and spirited. They seem to
be in a minority, but they have had the
best of the argument. If the proposed
amendments are to be sanctioned now.
and these vital principles Of Calvinism
excluded, what guarantee have they
that future meetings Of the presbytery
will not make further inroads Into the
essentials, and, by slow but destruc'
tive process of elimination, abolish the
confession altogether2 The report of
the committee on revision, which has
been the chief subject for debate, recon-
mends the
STRIKING OUT OF FIVE DOcTRINAL
POINTS
which, they say, are not now preached
in Presbyterian pulpits. They are:
Reprobatlon.
The damnation of infants,
The damnation uf the heather.
Tine classification Of Roman Catholics
as idolaters.
vhe statement that tie Pope is anti
Christ. s
1t is difficult to imagine an old line,
thoroughgolng Calvinlst abandoning
the last two points. If the Pope is not
anti Christ, what is to be the stock in
trade Of the Presbyterian howler when
he wants to stir I'D enthusiasm among
his flock? If Catholics are not idolaters
how is the old style Calvinistic streaner
going to keep his congregation loyal 60
the confession and generous in their
contributions for the great cause
which is the humiliation of Popery and
the conversion Of the Deni :hLed sons
and daughters of Rome? And if the
heathen is not to be damned who has
not embraced the faith founded by John
Of Noyon aud established permanently
by the synod of bort, what inducement
will there be for the sisters to give up
their pin money for missionary pur
poses? The opponents of the proposed
revision belong to the church militant.
Their fght has been maintained, during
the excitad debates. with splendid dash
and bold determination.
THERE WERE RITTER PERSONALITIES,
sharp parliamentary practices and
threats Of court proceedings inter
spersed Through the discussion. DR..
Robinson told the presbyterY that he
was against the report root and branch.
'.The committee" he said, lis not quail
lied to make any creed which could
satisfy me as member Of the Presby-
;erian church. Mr.. Parkhurst, who be
ongs to il, once said in his pulpit: I
lon't believe there are five persons here
Who haYe read the Westminster Cop-
'esslon. I never did and never shall.
ct when he was ordained to the minis
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