Omaha daily bee., 1890-03-30

che Westminster confession OF Faith of the
Presbyterian church with some notifications
respecting the power of the civil magistrate
concerning religious matters. The fathers
who took an active part in the union which
resulted IN the forGatiOn Of the United Pres
byteran church were of the ouiniOn that
there were certain points which were not
distinctly and fully exhibited in the West
minister confession OF faith, and which the
circumstances of the ChurCn the signs of tho
times, ana the views aud practices Of other
churches demanded to be more explicitly
stated. Ihey accordingly prepared state
ncnt of the truth on these points, and 1t was
adopted by both the churches entering into
the union. This statement is called the les
timony of the United Presbyterian church.
1t contains Il plain declaration OF the belief
Of the church .oD those points in which the
Westminster confession of faith seemed 10
be deficient, and 1t is part OF the churchS
creed. 1t consists OF eighteen articles on as
many different subjects. The following Is u
synopsis of tho moro important ARTICLES:
TESTIMONY.
We declare that all associations, whether
formed for political or benevolent purposes,
which impose upon their members an oath OF
secrecy, or an Obligation TO obey II code of
unknown laws are inconsistent with the
genius and spirit of Christianity, aud church
members ought not to have fellowship with
such associations.
We declare that tho church shold not eX-
tend communion. in sealing ordinances, to
those who refuse adherence to her prOfes-
sion, or subjeCtlOn to her government and
discipline, or who refuse to fOrsake com
muuloa which is inconsistent with the pro
fesslon that she makes; nor should com
munon IN any ordnance of worship be hetl
under such circumstances as would ne III
consistent with the keeping of these ordi-
nances pure and entire or so as to give cOun-
tenance TO any corruption OF the doctrines
and Institutions of Christ.
We declare that public social coYenanting
is u moral duty, the observance OF which Is
not required at sta. ed times but on extra
ordinary occasions, as the providence oil Gou
anu the circumstances OF the church may ln-
dicate. 1t is SeaSOnable in time OF great dan
ger TO the church, in tunes of exposure or
Oackslidlng, or in times OF reformation, when
the church is returning TO God from state
of hacksldipg, When the church has en-
tered into euch covenant transactions they
continue TO bind posterity faithfully to ad-
here to and prosecute the grand object for
which such engagements have been entered
into
We declare that il is the will of God that
the songs contained in the Book OF Psalms
be sung in his worship, both public and pri-
vate, to the end Of the world; and in singing
God 5 praise, these songs should be employed
to the exclusion of the devotional compost
tions of uninspired men.
Un,vrr>alI,t,
Rev. Q. II. Shnn of tho Unversalist con-
GregaiIon furnishes the following creed of
hls church, watch was adopted at Winches-
ter, n. H., in liO3:
PROFESSION OF FAITH.
Article l. We believe that the Holy Scrip
lures of tho old ana new testament contain
revelation of the character of God, and OF
the duty, interest and final destination OF
mankind.
Article ,, We believe that there is ono
God, whose nature Is love, revealed in one
Lord Jesus Christ, by one holy spirit Of
family of manEindto holiness ana happucss.
Article 3. We beiinve that holiness and
true happiness are inseparaby connected,
and that believers ought to MAINTAIN order
and practice good WORKS; for these things
are good and profitable unto men.
WE RELIEVE
In one God, the infinitely perfect Creator.
That God makes himself known TO men.
That Jesus Christ, the brightness OF Gods
glory, and the express image OF HIS person,
is perfect and satisfying revelation OF God
us the father of the spirits of all flesh.
That the holy scriptures OF the old and new
tcstaments contain revelation from God to
man.
That the spirit Of God, often called in
scripture the Holy Spirit is not only tho
medium OF special revelation, but also or
personal assurance of Gods presence, guld-
unce and comfort in Christian believers
Ihatsin arises from no original detect or
our human nature nor as result OF Adam
trausgression aOridPing our human power
That the new birth, regeneration, conyer'