The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-17
THE DEBATE ON REVISION.
TIE BURNING QUESTION BEFORE THE
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.


Dr. Patton OF Princeton Opens tho Debate
In OpPoaitlon to the Cemmittee's Fro.
posed Methods of RevisIon-Dr. VAn
Dyke OF Brooklyn Champions the Cause
OF the RevlsionIsta-A Philadelphia
Lawyers Speech Creates ConfusIon.
SARATOGA, May 16-The morning session
Of the Presbyterian General Assembly was
opened with prayer by the Moderator. The
names OF nineteen standing committees were
added BY the clerk. The report Of the Special
Committee on the LIQUOR Traffic in the Congo
States OF Africa was road by the Rev. DR.. How
ard Crosby. to the effect that the United States
have no jurisdiction or responsibility In the
matter. 1t is believed that tho English Gov
eminent is deslrous TO have the traffic abol-
ished. and also that the authorities at WASH
ington are In earnest: but as our Government
had no PARTICIPATION In the Berlin treaty. it was
not best to lay the protest before Congress- as
that body can do nothing as to the initiative.
Dr.. Patterson hoped that while the commit
tee and the Presbyterian Church were striving
TO influence Congress to aid in the abolition OF
the liquor traffic in the Congo States, they
would also endeavor to interest Congress In
the abolition OF the traffic in the United States.
Tho report OF tho Committee on Overtures
for Revision showed that 1S2 Fresbyteries
had voted for revision and CO against revision.
and that had declined to vote. and 8 have not
reported. The report was referred to q special
committee to canvass the answers, reports, and
inquiries OF overtures on the subject of revis-
ion OF tho Confession Of Faith and Of a new
creed. The Moderator appointed as such
committee tho Rev. Drs. Francis L. Patton.
Henry NJ. McCracken, and james ID. Thornton,
and Elders Robert p. Shanklin and Maurice d.
Edwards. The committee is composed OF
three 10 two in favor OF revision.
On motion OF the Rev. Herrlck Johnson the
Hon. Judge Wilson. a member of the Commit
tee on Methods of Revision but not member
OF the Assembly. was invited to the privileges
OF the floor and to take part in the discussion
this afternoon.
The report OF the Committee op the Board OF
Publication showed an extravagant and I'M
buslnesslike manner Of conducting the whole
OF this large interest, and recommended cur
taiment in many ways. In ten years ia Sun
day school library books have been published.
the sales OF only nine OF which have anything
like paid the expense OF publication. The COM
mittee recommended: Competitive estimates
for the doing OF all printing: that the issue OF
Sunday school library books be largely re-
duced that in every department greater
economy be practised. and that three Elders.
to be- practical business men. be added to the
Board OF Publication. to serve three years and
without compensation The report Was made
the second order Tor Saturday morning.
The report of the Committee on Missionary
Work in the United States Army and Navy was
of very encouraging nature. and grateful for
Government cooperation in tho furtherance OF
this work.
The Special Committee on the Increase OF
the Number Of Ministers made very long and
minute report 1t says that II per cent. of all
the Presbyterian churches in the United States
have vacant pulpits. and that the increase OF
vacancies is large greater in strong churches
than In the weaker ones. Eleven hundred
dred new missionaries are needed to carry for
ward the prospective Church work Of the year.
nleisteriai need and supply, OF ithe whole
evangelsts retired. ana those in official p9si::
ton. only 1887 ordained and installed
Of eTarchs s is i the hop ,o'o 81
our Church say the committee. is not in our
Theological semiphares' but t IL the religious in.
lowering OF the standards OF education and the
maRnilynG OF the duties Of the ministry the
ment Of greater efficiency among the laity. and
fuller meeting OF the need OF a trained ed body
OF The ministrs o- This report. Which is re-
garded as OF the greatest Importance after that
on revision. was made the special order Tor
THE DEBATE on REVISION BEGUN.
Immediately Oh tho opening Of the afternoon
session, Dr. Patton. the champion OF anti-re-
vision 9G the ana sp 6s Ht
on Methods OF Efrecting Changes in the Con-
1sssion OF hath and The Constitution Of the
special order Tor this session. DR.. Patton said
In subs ance:
will come before the body. The methods OF re-
vision IRE more important than the matter OF re-
vision Itself eysi0n 4 ever done, shIuid b Gs
happy and only redeeming features Of the re-
port are the evident and expressed desire for
soul object TO the roport IT takes away the
legislative function Of the Assembly, 1t as
tive power nor judicial authority. This is roy
olutionary. What are We here forI Simply to
listen to the report that an overture has has
that we have no option as 70 is adop-
ton? This renort GUS OF al SisSS ,nssit
teries. 1t only remains Tor the next Assembly
adoption by two-thirds Of the ,Presbyteries
port are enough to XIII the report 1t violates
the digest Of the discipline OF the Chprch: II
by two-thirds OF the lreSbyteries. a large and
disconnected minority, will demand-do In ad-
done in perfect conformity with adopted laws
and rules for tho government OF this body.
dciously and pefHemptoriiy forbids any inter
ference with the formulated faith OF our Church.
IL lis the barrier act. ana was intended TO meet
Just such All emergency as has now arisen:
VIII this Assembly ignore the binding force and
effect OF this act not simply OF caution, but OF
positive prohibition? suppose there be pre-:
cedents OF such violation, the presidents of
irregularity do not Justify Irregular action
now Suppose have stolen S one two three;
fault with. Am l justified in stealing sixth
upon the justification OF such well.e stab-
Of our form 81 Government This iundamental
Where YOU cant lay violent hands upon it or
pollute 1t, with sacrii eglpus touch. III the,
the life OF the Church and the integrity, OF lis
faith In God, and in the wisdom and justice OF
his DEGREES. Some OF us arc still loyal to our
Hearts love for The men Of li8s. They gave gave
the permnnepcy OF its binding and restraining
force. The right thing for us to do is to re-
affirm our confidence In tho protecting wisdom
OF the adopting act. And Ihis whole, report
should be ,ecommtted 10 me c0lhni lit or
provisions of the, form Of .Goyernment OF the
General Assembly and OF the Presbyterian
Church"
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