Los Angeles herald., 1890-04-10

sessions and IL ministers have voted for
revision, IL sessions and ministers
against, and sessions are equally
divided. The vote therefore stands As
for revision and 19 against, and the first
question of the assembly's overture is
answered in the affirmative"
Concerning the answer to the second
question variety of views have been
expressed. 1t is, however, most gratify-
ing and worthy of remark that no change
in the Confession has been proposed
with the avowed purpose of changing the
system of doctrine hitherto held by the
church, or of dropping out anything from
that system. Most OF those who have
expressed themselves as desiring revis-
ion have declared emphatically that they
desire no change in the system of doc
trine. Many have said: we only
desire few changes, and these such as
do not in any way impair the integrity
of the Cavinistic system Weemphasize
this fact because of the impression which
prevails, and to which some secular papers
give currency, that the widespread desire
for revision in our church indicates dis
loyalty to her standards or departure
from our time-honored faith. The test
which has been made by the assembly's
overture shows clearly that whatever
revision may mean, it does not mean
this, but that our ministers and sessions
are heartily in accord with the system of
doctrine taught in our standards. What
is asked for in revision is in some cases
merely change in phraseology; in 9TH
ers the omission of words or phrases
which are regarded as misleading or
unnecessary; in others the omission of
Il Jo1
as necessary for r.e oeiehse ol
our system against attack, or the iisef-
ton of sections which shall give greater
prominence to truths which it is desired
to emphasize. The changes prepared
are ninety-ssS in number. 1t would,
however, he mistake to suppose that
there is any general demand on the part of
the Presbytery for so many changes. In
fact, seventy-three out of the ninety-six
have not even received second. OF the
remaining twenty-three, six have been
supported by twoindividuals or sessions,
seven by three, five by four, three by
six and two by nine. The proposed
changes having the largest number of
supporters are those which refer to the
third and tenth chapters"
The committee recommended that the
following resolutions be adopted:
First. That the first question OF the
assembly's overture be answered in the
affirmative.
''Second. That we desire no revision
which would impair the integrity or
weaken the force of the Calvinistic sys-
TEN of doctrine contained in our Comics
sion of Faith.
Third. That we especially desire such
modification OF statement in the third
and tenth chapters of the Confession as
shall remove ground of misrepresent-
alton on the part of those who oppose
our doctrines and occasion of stumbling
from those who are friendly to us, and
shall ses forth more conspicuously the
infinite compassion of God for our fallen
race andHis most glorious DEGREES respect
ing the plan of salvation revealed to us
in the gospel.
Fourth. That we are not averse to
any such changes in other parts of the
Confession as may in the wisdom OF the
assembly be deemed necessary or appro-
pirate to give larger and fuller express
sion to the brotherly love cherished by
our church toward other denominations
of Christians, or the grand missionary
spirit which is moving her to large gifts
and untiring labors for the evangelical
ton of the world.
Fifth. That this Presbytery overture
the General Assembly to invite the CO.
operation of the PRESBYTERIAN and re-
formed churches of the world to fOrmu-
late a creed expressed, so far as may be,
in scripture language, and containing all
the essential articles OF the Westminster
Confession, which creed shall be sub
mitted for approval and adopted as the
common creed of the Presbyterian and
reformed churches"
DIR. Chichester said he thought that
the demand for the revision was sort
of stampede which the ministers had
to face and it was their duty to guide
the stampede in the right direction. He
said that the Confession could be
altered just as the Constitution OF the
United States could. He read extracts
from the remarks OF DR.. Patton, who
said that the Confession could be revised.
DR.. Chichester said that he thought the
report OF the committee should be
adopted.
Rev. P. D. Young said he was op-
posed to the revision, but he had not a
distinct idea OF the report and did not
see how it could be voted upon intelli-
gently. He could not see the necessity
for the change, nor the advantage to be
derived from changing the creed.
j. H. Kellum, of Tustin, said he ap-
proved of the resolutions. He thought
that some change should be made SO that
he could intelligently answer questions
that might be asked concerning the
Confession.
Rev. Mr.. Waddell said that he thought
the Confession should be shelved and a
modern creed made up suitable to mod
ern times. He was therefore in favor OF
the fifth resolution.
DR.. Bowman was OF the opinion that
if some changes were made it would be
better.
Mr.. Field was in favor of changing the
language so that the people could under
stand it.
DR.. Thompson thought that all the
arguments had been against the Bible
and not against the Confession. He was
opposed to the change, and if the Con-
fession was to be revised it might be as
wise to revise the Bible, because there
was much of it that could not be under
stood.
DIR. White was opposed to the revision.
1t was an old friend, and he would stand
by it until he died.
DR.. Weller offered as substitute fol-