The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-02

A year ago revision was a new Ques-
ton IN the Presbyterian Church. Com
plants bad been made that some Of lbs
standards Of confession were too sweep
ing. and apparently shut out many per-
sons from any chance Of future happi-
ness. but no general agitation in favor
of a change had been started. At the
meeting of the General Assembly last
year, however. sixteen Pfosbyteries pre-
scented petitions asking that q vote be
taken ia all the Presbyteries upon
tho question whether the Westminster
standards should be revised. and il So.
in what particular. Without much
consideration of the subject. the Gen
eral Assembly sent down to the Presby-
teries an overture for vote on the
question. and the members of that body
are probably now very much surprised
40 the interest the discussion and votes
have aroused. The question is already
getting beyond that Of mere revision
and those who are well-infcrmed on
the subject predict that a new creed
aud not mere revision Of The old one
will result
Under the laws of the Presbyterian
Church. two-thirds OF the 2li Presby-
teries in the United States must vote in
favor Of revision before the General As
sembly will formally pass upon the
question. Fifty of these bodies have
already voted. Fifteen of thom-ten Of
which are in Pennsylvania-hase voted
against any change. and Thirty five
have pronounced strongly in favor Of
more liberia declaration OF faith. Ia
cludCd in the thirty-five Presbyteries
voting in favor of revision is the one n
Albany. which appears to be really IN
favor Of a new and shorter creed.
10 will be "a long time before the exact
terms OF the Presbyterian Confession
of Faith are settled. even though the
necessary vote Of tw0-thirds of tie
Pre,byteries be obtained. The reports
Of these votes will be made ID the Gen
eral Assembly. which Will meet az Sara
toca IN Nav. when the whole subject.
fresh from the discussion in the Prcsby-
teries. will be open for debate by the
leaders ON both sides from all parts Of
the country. The agitation will lend
new interest to the proceedings Of the
General Assembly. The conserva-
usm of that body would not per-
mt il to settle the question at one
session. but the fact that the Presby-
teries which have voted in favor Of
changes have not all declared in
favor Of revision on the same
lines. viii put another Difficult
tv in the way of an early doci-
sion. The advocates of an entirely
new creed will also have something to
say. and the only way to settle this tn
angular fight that will result viii be to
appoint a committee to 80 over the
whole ground and adopt a report to
which all can subscribe. That commit
tes will have at least wear in
which to make It's report. That re-
port cannot possibly be made before the
meeting of the General Assembly,
year from next May. IL may even ask
for longer time. and take two years to
consider the question. When made.
Che report will nave to be discussed by
tine General Assembly at least one ses-
sion. and possibly even then the entire
question may be sent back again 20 the
Presbyteries. and four or five years
may pass before the Presbyterian Con
fession of Faith in the United States is
finally agreed upon. Meanwhile those
who favor the adoption Of a new creed
will have more time for agitation and
will have a better chance of winning
the fight.