The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-16
WORSE Avn WORSE.

Aiiusion has beeen nade In these
columns 10 The seeming ineongruity Of sub
hitting to majority vote the decision OF
question of religions belief. especially
among those who are ordained 70 preach
and teach the truth - God has given them
10 understand IT, This Was the course
pursued by the Presbyterian general As
semly. which directed the Transmission OF
what Is ca led an overture" 10 the several
prssbyteries throughout the country, pro-
pounding these questions: do you desire
. revision Of the Confession Of faith? II
10. In what respects and 10 what cxtent?'
IL Was well understood that revision meant
material modification of the Calv.nistie
creed in rvrard to it, fundamental doc
frines Of Generalization. Yeprobation and
iufans damnstion. The answers showed
thst lsi presbyteries. representing the
eenters u learning and Of general intelli-
gence. favored revision. and 6S were OPP
posed.
In view Of the intenssness with which
the controversy hsd been carried on. and
the unambixuous expressions pro and con.
II may be held that this vote showed that
the more highly educated two-thirds OF the
presbytesies believe these extreme Calvin
ssfie doctrines TO be untrue. In the de-
bates on the subject some OF the abIest and
most eloquent tivines declared that these
doctrines strictly interpreted land that is
the only way they can be interpreted) at
tribute 10 God In the creation Of man
cruel and monstrous exhibition of demon
ism. With touching and telling pathos
some OF them protested that this doctrine.
strictly interpreted. was incompatible with
he ia - Of Heavenly Father who Is God
Of love. But 1t the same time their agree
ment to submit the question implied that
they were willing to preach and teach this,
which they declared to be IN unreasonable
and q monstrous doctrine. II the majority
should so declare.
The sixty-seven negative votes may DO
held to represent an unchanged and I'M
ckangsable third who are unwilling
10 abase one jot or title Of the
ritiless doctrine - originally fulmi-
mated by the enthusiast Of Geneva But
tie submission Of the question implied
that they too would abide by the result.
and would preach and teach that what they
believed to be the true faith and Gods
word Is dmmonism, il the majority should
80 decide. But this outvoted fraction
seems 10 have learned another branch OF
practical politics besides that OF taking
ballot ON points Of differences. They have
learned tina, there Is such . thing ~
minority accomplishing . crushing tank
movement against the majority BY a resort
to parliamentary tactics. They have also
learned the value of appeals by the beaten
to tho victorious wing for harmony"
and they have promptly applied both bits
Of wisdom.
Preliminary TO aud at the opening OF the
recent General Asss mbly ct Saratoga. New
York, harmony Was the pathetic shibo-
Ieth OF the antirevisionlsts, and that spirit
having been sedulously cultivated, shortly
after the opening Of the session brother
Of henignant mien with cffusion of
fraternal iovingncss. introduced this appar
entity innocent resolution: Resolved.
That this committee on revision he and
are hereby Instructed that they shall not
propose any alterations or amendments
that will in any way impair the integrity of
the reformed or caivinisiic system OF doc
trine taught in the Confession Of Faith"
And ii went through by standing vote
with every man on his feet. And ''ssrong
men weps. "handkerchiefs waved in the
air. !" sshc applause was desfening" The
majority were tioored by the aid of their
own Votes. Harmony" had been re-
stored by formal refusal to do wha. the
majority bad decided should be done.
II. then, there he any logic in these sew.
eyat votes II follows that majority OF the
pTesbyferies are in favor OF revision To
conform with their conscientious belief.
provided II viii not impair harmony be-
tween themselves and lesser number wno
insis, on propaga'ing in the name of God
what they 1.-THE two..hirds Majority believe
to be erroneous views. These were big
consequences ~ carry by piece OF parlis-
mensaFy strategy. rammany could hardly
improve upon 1t.