Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-05-24
WHAT OF REVISION?
THE QUESTION AGITATING THE PRESBYTERIAN
ASSEMBLY
Dr. Patton ElOqusnly Discusses the Extent and
Method Of the Proposed Changes-0ther
Church Conferences Meth
OdiSt and Presbyterian.

SARATOGA. y. Y, May 23.-The
Presbyterian General Assembly listened
this morning To an account Of the work
and progress Of the Evangelical Luth-
eran Church from DIR. Hammer. The
amended report Of the Committee on
Revision being in order, Rev. DIR. Pat
ton. chairman, said: This is the most
serious moment in the life Of this As
Sembly; to be just, | must re-
fer 10 some differences Of opinion.
i is too late TO discuss the wisdom of
this discussion, in which | disbelieved,
but We have the action of PreSbyterics
with which We must vote. He thought
the Assembly had power TO refuse To act,
although he did not advocate that
course.
WHAT CHANGES IN THE CONFESSION?
II we must do something, what? \
new creed, as a substitute for our stand
ard? Eight PreSbyterieS out OF 2l3 de-
sire il. Or We may run supplement,
explanatory creed. You may shorten
your catechiSm. Others desire con-
census Of the crceds of all the reformed
churches. Or we may propose mOdili-
cation or amendment of the Confession
Of Faith. ! don't see the need of
this in view Of the recognized liber-
" allowed by the terms OF confession.
But l34 PreSbytcrieS differ with me, and
| bow to their Judgment, and | wish
others In the minority would do the
same. Now. if we are to change, the
right way would seem 10 be by COM
mittee. but how shall we appoint this,
and within what area shall il move? /
have read DIR. McCracken'S plan which
seems like the mode by which the Doge
of Venice was appointed. ! think we
ought to appoint now because, first. we
have the right; second, it is safe since
we must have the consent of two-thirds
OF the PreSbyterieS to any change; third,
il is coming anyhow, or we will have TO
come 10 il by 4 shorter road. want
all the time we can get. Further, it
is right thing To do. The church has
this right for which | will stand. We.
Of the minority. must not stand against
great right, but We must define the
functions of the committee.
40 CHANGE AFFECTING TIE STANDARDS.
We must have no change that will
affect the CalvaniStic character of our
standards. Great applause. | am
glad Mr.. Day accepts this principle. l
desire this, first, because | want the As
Sembly 10 reafiirm its convictions; and.
second. because | want the committee
% feel that the hand of the Assembly is
ON them. l know something about COM
mttceS, because | have been there.
We are likely 10 magnify our Office; re-
strict that propensity to do so much.
| want harmony. and appointments by
the Assembly will help that, | want
instructions that change shall be
confined To what Is necessary
10 remove popular miSapprehension
of the sense OF our confession. The
minority can't get what they want-that
is we want no changes at all-and you g.,
Of the majority cannot get all you want
at least, not tremendously. IwiSh we
could get rid Of the statement about the
Pope being auti-ChriSt, so that We can
recognize the validity of Roman Catholic
I baptism. | wish the Assembly would
emphasize the denial that We believe in
| infant damnation. or that il is in our
standards.
On motion OF DR.. Johnson, IL was
voted that all other orders of business
should be laid aside until a general vote
was reached in the appointment Of a
Committee Of Revision.
Robert VI. Patterson, ID. d., of the
PreSbytery of Chester, sold he would
never vote if there was no other Obje-
tion 20 confess that for 30
years this church has Slandered the
Pope in calling him anti-ChriSt. Only
/ last fall there was sent out to be used to
be used by all good Catholics a prayer
to Joseph, the husband Of Mary, that
was as idolatrouS as words could be.