New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-11
DISCUSSING CONFESSIONAL REVISI0M
THE CHICAGO PREsBYTERY RESUMES ITS De-


BATE-sTRoNG ARGUMENTS FOR CREED
Chicago. Feb. 10 CSpecal).-The Chicago Presbytery
resumed the consideration Of the proposed revision VI
the Confession of Faith this morning. DR.. StryKers
proposed answer to the question Of the DcheT'' 40
sembly, offered at the last meeting, was again ieau
This motion had been made substitute lot d.
JohnsOn's proposed TO the second question thO
the Chicago Prcsbytery desires revision that mSht
affect the integrity OF the doctrines Of the PresDy-
ler'an Church. DR.. JOhnsons motion also declareu
hat the Presbyery thinks the subject may be saley
left the deberaton Of any representative body that
may be appointed by the General Assembly. But III
any such confessional change the system OF doctrine
of Cavinism, as expressed in the Westminster Con-
fesson should be preserved nviolate. This portion
of Dr. Jonson's resolution had been adopted at the
former session. The second part of his motion adj
vOcated revision Of the portions OF the third ana
tenth chapters, and fuller expression of the doctrine
Of the love Of God.
DR.. Stryker read the following motion, which he
offered as a substitute for DR.. JohnsOn's:
while sincerely honOring the Westminster symbols
for what they and have BEEN desire to avow our
deliberate opinion that the time is ripe for
statement of Christian faith which shall fully
reflect the spirit Gods word that word is to-day
revercntly held by Church. creed, brief, clear,
devont evangelical renlcal that shall give reason
for the hope that is in u.s. and will commend itself to
cal expression Of concord With those holy Oraces
which are the only infallble rule of faith and life
Dr.. johnson discussed Or. Strykers substitute.
lie said the idea plain that creed was
wanted by some OF the members lie did not favor
excessive dogmatism. He did not want church that
harder to get into than heaven Is. But he did nos
think Brief creed could be formulated The Apostles
Creed would admit into the Church every kind OF
hercsy that has been advanced. lie did not think
creed necessary. The good Old ship, that had
lost passenger, could be put in better sailing
trim without destroying it. The mpedlmcnts TO good
sailing could be removed.
DR.. smith said he in favor Of a new creed, and
that Dr. Johnson honOred of the strongest points
Of the rcysionists by ignoring 1t. No violence
intended to the integrity OF the Confession No Ar
mcIian or Unitarian heresy intended or advo-
Gated By the revisionsts. \ creed should be mans
ansWcr to Gods word. II the creed did not fulfil
this requirement, it should be made to do 3" If
DR.. Johnson he continued, says that the Church
cannot construct brief, concise creed, /, true
blue scotch Presby terian. say IL is untrue"
In opposition 10 DR.. Johnson, DR.. Stryker thought
a simple creed could be made sufficient and short
creed long enough No creed could be too wide
for him. lie might be miscOnstrIed, but love would
understand where logic faltcrs. lie continued:
"Crcdo. believe. is in The present tense. If we be-
lcve the old creed 1t is-ipsssima verba-lct us
say ~. If do not believe, let us say 50. II We
bcllcFc something more, let Us say -. 10 say uat
the Confession OF Faith is our constitution Is the same
saying that Alexander IiamiltOns FederaliSt7 is
our Constitution. The Confession is too short lOr
system Of theology. and too long for confession Of
faith that may be- flung 70 the world. The Long Par
lament Is adjourned. The Westminster Assembly
doc, not sit. We are competent TO write what the
Church believes to-day. plead for no change in the
confession Of Faith. do not want IL made into
crazy quilt. want 10 weave fabric and llacc
II alongside the old creed. The question whether
W" shall timidy refuse to tell what believe.
want creed that needs refined explanations from
Theological chairs. but Such creed that the plain,
honest man NAV understand It, something that I can
hold hoth hands 10 heart and II Il my creed.
Mter long discussion at times quite warm in
character Or. Strykcrs substitute rejected and
DR.. JOhn,Ons specification adopted By a vote Of AZ
10 Il The twcny-one votes we're cast by those MEM
bcr' who favored the formulating II creed
Or. Strykcr. DR.. Barrows and Others Of the minority
expressed confidence after adjournment that the time
would come when the Presbyterian Church wOuld
see wisdom In entirely setting aside the old West
minister standards.