The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-16
THB CREED OUTVORN.
John Calvin's Cruel Dogmas
Are Placed on Trial
ARGUMENT FOR THE DEFENSE.
Lament Over Decay Of Orthodoxy
and Growth Of Catholicism.
ARGUMENT FOR THE DEFENSE.


sAKrc6A. May l5.-The Presbyterian
General Assembly opened with praise
meeting this morning. The business ses-
sion began this afternoon.
President Roberts. of the Lake Forest,
Ills. University. the retiring moderator.
delivered an address on sThe Privileges
and Consequent Obligations OF the Presby-
terian Church" He reviewed the work OF
the church, etc. At length. His reference
TO the absorbing topic Of revision Was in
enumerating the special privileges OF the
church. Among these. he said, was
clear cut. strong and scriptural creed Not
wi.hstznding the few objectionable pass
ages. the alleged incorrect interpretations
Of scripture, and the questionable philoso-
ply of two or thres paragraphs in our
standards, they are marvel Of skill and
dialectic acumen- They have been justly
ciassed among the best specimens exisnt
ofclear thought and cogent treasoning. They
were prepared in trouhlous times for the
purpose Of uniting In one church aH the
Christians Of Great Britain and ireland.
Evsry paragraph was heated In the hres Of
controversy and forged into bars Of gold.
not only by the best theoioaisns Of the
the church but by the abIest statesmen OF
both houses Of parliament The shorter
cathecism has been pronounced. even By
many who have no sympathy with the doc
trines, the best compendium Of scriptural
truths this world has ever seen. The STAN
dards are not only clear cut, but exceed
ingly strong They are based largely on
Gods sovereignty. Il il no such sover-
eighty. however, - implies arbitrariness or
injustice. but such as chastises the proud
and encourages the lowiy. 1t is loudly
proclaimed in these days that the doctrines
OF our standards are destitute OF the
breathings OF Gods love. This is largely
true. The tender phrase Of the divine
character Is not so clearly set forth As 1t
ought to be in this age, but it must NOT be
forgotten that the church has been under
going process of evolution from her In
fantile days to the present time. Grace
and truth came By Jesus Christ. but those
lovely qualities could have come only after
the way had been prcpsred for them by the
stefnest quality Of the law which came by
Moses.
The strong truths OF our Calvanistic
creed are not to be looked upon, therefore,
dents TO modern and more lovable doc
trines. These doctrines have been drawn
ont OF Gods word in such wsy rs to for
bid the making Of any essential changes in
them without doing violenee 20 that word.
Amorg other privileges Of the church
enumerated and dilated upon were gov
ernEent more in keeping with the teach
ings of the Scriptures than that of any
other branch OF the church; championship
the cause Of education. superior missionary
appliances and church wealth.
On the latter point DR.. Roberts said. in
part: 1T may seem doubtful at first sight
whether riches can be regarded as one of
the privileges Of the church Of Christ In
themselves considered they cannot
be an indication OF moral power
or usefulness, but nevertheless
they do acquire. according to the
best-know principles of ethics and moral
ity, great strength when viewed o. q
trust for Gods glory and the good of the
world. 1t is often alleged that our church
owns and controls more money than any
other in our land. One of the congrega-
tons in New York city is said to possess
more than 500 900. The Presbyterians
OF Chicago have under their contrni. not in
their posscssion. $500 000,Oe0. This is a
fair sample OF what is to be found in other
communities of the East and West 1t is
certainly great privilege to be intrusted
with so much OF our Lords money. il We
have the grace TO use it as good and faith
full servants.
DIR. Roberts added that the Obligations
arising from these privileges come under
the text. Unto whomsoever much is
given. of him should much be required"
and spoke at grea; length on the duty OF
the church Following are some OF the
points: There is evident iooseuess, not
only in admitting men into our ministry,
bat also in giving church congregations un-
limited licenses to supply their own pull
pits. In many congregations ministers
are hired by the year like . clerk The
community in which they live regard them
not as permanent factors in their socia; or
religious life. The value OF the permanent
rastorate is beyond all contemplation.
Not . few of our vacant churches
are allowed to be overrun nv
professional candidates. Our worthy min
is.ers are frequently set aside by men who
are alter the ioaves and fishes. They have
few fashy diScourses that tickies the ears
Va tAie ktVbsS, bat &aSn t1tf are u-ikv&geu
ihey have nothing left worth listening to.
Under this practice piesy langaishes, activ-
ity ceases and Christian benevolense is left
uneuliivaied. The p-esbytery must watch
with greater care the entrance into her
ministry OF number of candidates who
reject some Of the fundamental doctrines.
Our creed is said 10 be on the increase At
the present rate of increase the docsrinal
status of cur church will certainly be i'm
paired If the growing iaxiiy goes on A
lond cry will presently be raised for creed
THAI viii bind 10 minister TO . specific sys-
tenn OF belief.
The preshyteries should exercise more
vigilance in the direction OF preserving the
sounanesS os the .aish in our ministers and
elders. The Presbyterian church Is casies!
npon 10 conserve the educational institu-
tons. She has been Largely the means OF
establishing, and 20 add 10 their number Is
circumstances may demand.
The pubic school system has become
the halwark and glory OF our nation. hus OF
late j; has become the OBJECT OF assault bv
the Eonsish clergy. High officials of that
rcls;sco--eagsous Svstsm are bent on de-
ssroving Or controlling it. Tae church we
rerre<en: is in duty bonna to meet these
enemies OF our common schools They
Should ard probably can be improved in
certain particulars hns the system IN i,s
main features and fundamental principles
must &c upAe'd a the cost. II ne<d Be. OF