Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-16
QUE MAIL POUCa.
A Problem for Presbyferians.
81 Frdfto,- ~ Tha TNs.,.x


To the Editor Of The Dispatch:
The Presbyterian Church Is agitated from
center TO circumference over the question Of
revision Of the confession of faith. Fifteen
Presbyteries overturned the General Assembly
to take action on this question. The assem-
bly's Committee on oVertures made this re-
port:
Because in the minds of many OF our ministers
and people some forms Of statements in our con-
fession of faith are liable to misunderstanding
and expose our system Of doctrine to unmerited
criticism; and
WHEREAS. Before any definite steps should be
taken for the revision Of standards it is desir-
able to know whether there Is any general desire
for such revision, therefore,
Resolved, That this General Assembly overture
to the Presbyterles the following questions:
l. Do You desire revision OF the confession OF
faith?
2. If so, in what respects, and 70 what extent?
This action OF the General Assembly opened
the hoodgates. The religious papers TEEN with
articles on revision, and at all the meetings Of
the Presbyteries the questions submitted are
discussed with vehemence, and in some cases
acrimoniously and with partisan ferYor. Some
favor mere change in the verbiage. by which
the doctrines of grace consonant with the Cal
Vlnlst1c system Of divine trust embodied IN the
as to avoid ambiguity and render them less
liable to adverse criticism. Others favor rad1-
cal changes corresponding to the advanced
thought or the present age. The i've points OF
Calvlnfsm are inter-depeadent, and any
change affecting one point in the same degree
affects them ALL II one be revised so as to
change its tenor all must be subjected to re-
vision or the whole system Of doctrine would
be disjointed and vague,
Although all candidates for hcensure and
ordination answer in the Affirmative the ques-
uon DO you sincerely receive and adopt the
confession OF faith Of this church as containing
the system Of doctrine taught in the Holy
Scriptures" yet the present discussion reveals
the TACT either that many Of these candidates
answered with mental reservation, or il proves
that their views have undergone a radical
change since the hands Of Presbytery were laid
upon them. Pastors Of prominent churches
professors in the theological seminaries. ruling
elders and laymen, in open PresbyterY and
through the religious press, boldly advocate
views far from being in accord with the con-
fessIOn of faith.
The doctrine of predestination ID one es-
peciaily obnoxious TO those desiring radical
changes. Predestination Is thus expressed in
the confession of faith:
By the decree of God for the manifestation OF
His glory, some men and angels are predestina-
ted unto everlasting life, and others foreordaned
to everlasting death. These men and angels thus
predestinated and foreordained are particularly
and unehangeably designed; and their number is
80 certain and definite thai It canh0t be either in
creased or diminished
Some wish the following statement changed
IN such way as to avoid obscurity, that 1t may
not seem to teach the damnation Of any in
fants: ELECT infants, dying IN infancy, are re.
generated and saved by Christ through the
Spirit, who worketh when and where and how
He pleaseth."
A majority of the Presbyteries thus far have
voted in favor of appointing committee of re-
vision What the result of this apple of dis
cord thrown into the halls of our highest
ecclesiastical court remains to be seen. Some
predict division, If radical revision results.
Many have become liable to ecclesiastical CEN
sure for the utterance and dissemination of
ultra views not in harmony with the standards.
1t behOoves the Presbyteries to send wise and
discreet commissioners to the General Assem-
bly, which will convene at Saratoga Springs, N.
Y, next May. by which body this question
of revision will be considered
JOHN II. AUGHEY.
WEST TBRIDGEwATER, January Is.