Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-23
SOUNDS OF BATTLE.
Dr. Patton Of Princeton Fires . Big
Gun Against Unwise Revision.

SARATOGA. NY, MAY 2S-The important
business before the Presbyterian assembly this
morning WAS consideration Of providing COM
nittee on revision. Two resolutions were be-
fore the house. one by Rev. Dr. McCrAcken ot
New York and the other by Elder Henry DAY.
Dr. Patton OF Princeton College held the
hoor, declining 20 Yield 20 Elder Day and
Dr. Herrick johnson, who ased the privilege
OF reading resolutions. Dr. Patton. who has
been regarded as leader OF the anti-reyisiop-
lists. said; This is the most serious moment IN
the life OF this assembly. We represent differ
ences OF opinion. IL is too late 20 raise tbs
question as TO the wisdom of the last assembly
ia SUBMITTING the oNeriures upon which We are
ahout 10 ACT. but n ~ nly opinion that it was .
very unwlse act I will oppose from tbe very
bottom OF my heart the submission OF DIR. No
Cracken resolution to the assembly Out of
the 2lS preshyterios Of this assembly only eight
ask Tor an absolutely new creed. do not see the
necessity for any alteration in the confession %
taith But lS4 presbyteries have expressed
themselves in favor OF II. and bow u the
opinion OF the majority thus expressed. (Grest
applause.
Now, then. how shall we 20 at r2 Il seems
70 be the general opinion that the best way 10
20 appoint "A committee 10 consider the matter
ana report to the next assembly I don't care
no" yOn appoint the committee, but DIR. Nc
trackens resolution reads ~ though he vas
hylng IN the middle ages and was assisting
IN The appointment OF Doge OF Venice. We
could do II in much shorter way. We should
appoint this committee because II is a right
thing 20 DO. The church has "a right % rev<e
her creed and will defend that right lsenss-
tlonl, but what Is the committee going 20 doY
what are they for? 1 hope we shall not give
thls committee rowing commission wish
them TO understand that no change shall bs
made that will in any way impair the integrity
OF the CalylnstIc system. IApplausel
Our confession of faith has been traduoed.
ana want this assembly 70 reafirn the
standards of belief in the very terms in which
TINS committee is appointed. I don't want TO
II go unrestricted. want r in
structed, and in such terms that when
II Is tppo cd il will not be with q
simple majority but in way that the church
win Ieei that IN whole assembly is in favor OF
II. Let US have peace. I'd go a little further
than that | want them instructed that thew
shall contne their labors 90 such construction
OF phraseology as may be necessary 90 remove
popular Misunderstanding. 1 will never confess
mat total revision of faith IL necessary
lGreat appausel. 1 wish had a voice that
would reach around the world TO reaffirm that
there never was and never can be a Just foun-
dation for the charge that we Presbyterians
have ever believed IN infant damnstion or thas
the doctrine is embodied in the Westminster
standard" Moderate applausel
DIR. PArroN's AMENDMENT
DIR. Patton offered the following amendment
to DIR. McCracken's resolution: That COM
mittee of ministers and elders, in number noe
less than fifteen. be appointed 10 consider the
suggestions made by the presbyteries and re-
port to the next assembly: and whereas a
minority of the'presbyteries have desired that
no change be made. therefore,
Resolved. That the committee shall not pro-
pose amendments that will impair in any wsy
the Calyinlst system and that they shall confins
their labors 10 such changes in phraseology as
shall Remove popular Misunderstanding
Elder Day secured the floor and offered q
substitute for the resolutions OF Dr. McCracken
and DIR. Patton. Ii differs from Dr. Patton's
IN that II does not instruct the committee as 10
Its scope.
Dr. Herrick johnson said the assembly was
now IN the ninth day of session and had onlv
just begun consideration OF the vital point on
whlch their constituents sent them. he moved
that the assembly begin debate on the appoipt-
ment of committee on revision and that 10
continue until final vote is reached. Adopted
with applause.
Elder Day said Dr. Patton's speech was a
great snd pleasant surprise TO everybody. It
would surprise the entire country. Brethren
the thing rs done; revision is accomplished.
DIR. Van Dyke of Brooklyn took the platform,
yesterday trembled IN the belief that the
Presbyterian Church on the verge OF =
great catastrophe, but my trembling has
vastly decreased since DIR. Patton's speech
The situation reminds me of the story OF the
hon anc lamb and for the life OF me can't tell
"hIcn Is lne lhilD. lne great ranscOntlnental
tram OF revision starts IRON Saratoga TODAY
The trst stop will be at Princeton Junction
Laughter and applause. Get aboard. every
body; the tram won't stop long. II has started
anu there S not sand enough in New Jersey nor
pig iron enough in Pennsylvania pines in Michi-
gan,o mountains IN the west 90 stop its progress
10 the golden gate. 1 will not consent TO anv
restrictions on the revision committee | do
not agree with DIR. Patton that il was unwise
for the last assembly TO send out the overture
to the Presbyteries lCries of question: Mr.
Moderator, the wisdom of the ast general as-
sembIy has been impeached. lCries of ''ques-
ticn. hisscs and applause
The moderator raped for order and ruled
that Mr.. Van Dyke had the floor and must ba
heard Dr. Van Dyke continued: Il want the
shadow of infant damnation rooted out of the
confession Dr. Patton's confession would
leave the question ambiguous. 1 don't want
any ambiguity put in Gods solemn declaration
that none shall perish. Why restrict the COM
mlttee beyond the general declaration? We
will err greatly if We do"
At 1890 pm. DIR. Crosby was recognized bv
the moderator and recess was taken until
2:30 Ii Is likely that one of the resolutions
Will be adopted tins afternoon. At least that n
the opinion OF many OF the commissioners.