New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-25
WHATA PASTOR SEESAND HEARS
THE GREAT DEBATE OVER THE CONFESSION
OF FATTH-OTHER ITEMS

OF FATTH-OTHER ITEMS.
This is an important week for the Presbyterian
Church. which is making history rapidly now. And
not for the followers of Calvin alone are the discus
sions in the New.York presbytery interesting. The
adherents Of the Armintan system of doctrine seem
greatly edited to hear the arguments advanced oday
by leading ministers aud aymeD In the Presbyterian
Church which presented with such earnostness
and power BY the avowed opponents Of the Calvinstc
system century and more ago This Is not saying
which right the Presbyterians or the Methodsts
or whether both alike aye good
There have been two three brilliant addresses
during the debate thu far several that were remevt
able chiefly for the earDestness which tpey were de-
nvtred and some that have not added much light or
much weight 30 the side which they were advanced
The logical argument presented by DR.. Paxton OF
Princeton the best that had been made in favor
of letting the Confession remain as it is.
De. John Hall had given public expression 70
his views previous to this meeting and II was Thought
Chat he might recommend some middle ground on
which all parties could stand in the interest Of peace
and harmony But he came out unreservedly for the
Standards as they are to-day, and reftltcd with
Scripture and facts observed in his long ministry on
both sides Of the water many Of the arguments pre-
sened in the religious press and in the speeches OF
other Prosbyteries as well as IN New-lork. The
hard doctrines he admitted, but would not cut Them
from the OOn1casOn OF fdltl ~ ioiS u ~ 'NS''N
them In the Bible. Dr. Worrar made al eloquent
appeal for the Creed, revision is possible, but Il VIII
not satisfy the demand made by its advocates. Rather
1t win be lever used IN forcing the Church 20 ylcId
one after another Of TIA doctrines.
DR.. Parhhurst, Dy. Thompson. Dr. Hastings. DE-.
Hamilton Henry Day and Dr. Briggs among Others
spyung to the defence OF the revision movement IN
speeches appealing 70 the emotions. 10 the idea Of
human justice and to tho desire for Christian unity
Revision they be "in the air. IT said
to have no leader hut God. Men whose orthodoxy
has never been questioned stand with those called
progressive IN theology. The advocates for a
moderate revision and those who want a thorough
revision mnglc with those who desire to see the Old
Confession shelved and one, in which the love
Of God shall be the central aud dominant feature take
its place Some want both the old and the new one
for the Institutions of learning and the ministry ana
the other for the Church members. Men who deny
that they are troubled about the doctrine Of the DEGREES
find themselves IN favor OF revision in order 10 relieve
those who are troubled; the cause OF the weaker
brethren Is their cause.
Cp TO the present date forty scvcn Presbytcrfes
have taken action the question Of revision. thirty
five of which have voted in favor Of revision OF some
sort while twelve have voted in favor OF letting IA;
Creed OF the Church alone IL Is Il somewhat interest
ing fact these twelve Pre-S tcres eight are IN
PeIisy lvania while the larger number of the fi'>h'
eres IN favor of revision the West A. there arc
81 Presbvt,res In all lOl Prcsbycues have vet 10
he heard from, that the matter IS very far from
being decided. Indeed there careful observers ~
the Presbyterian Church who predict that tr present
lead of the rcvisonists will be entirely wiped ont Mh
certain Prcsbyteres which they have ia miud mas =
given their answer 10 tie General assembly h.1'
question. But, IN q question that o. alrcadv de
veloped many surprises. Hosea Bl.OWs anNI' =.
Don't propheSy unless yol know Is Wise ana
timely.
The Christian UDion,p In commenting on tle recent
installation OF Or. Abbott It's senior editor AZ pastor
of Plymouth Church, says that II would be MISTAKE
to Imagine that the Council indQrscd the Theology 81
correct Mat mistake by comparing the theological
statements of Dr. Abbott and Mr. Bliss the senior and
the coordinate pastors. Mr. Abbott IL adds, de-
claYed that in opinion he inclined toward the doctrine
Of conditional Immortality, while Mr. Bliss declared
his belief the unconditional Immortality Of the soul
hypothesis that Christ will be presented In another lle
10 AL who have not known him here. declared Dr..
convection that the dogma Of the decisive nature of
this hfe's probation for all men was unsc7ptnra!
while Mr.. Bliss at least implicitly, II not In positive
terms Indicated his acceptance OF that dogma II u.s.,
Indeed doubtful whether single member Of the
Connect would have subscribed Mr. Abbotts theological
statement any than he could have adopted rs MS
own Mr. Abbotts narrative Of his Christian cNpcr"hcc
What this Council signalizes teologicay is not The
adonon OF a new theological system, or the abandon
ment OF an old ono but the distinct recognition Of the
terial and church fellowship as well, do not depend
upon theological agreement"
A course Of lectures on the Ely Foundation will
begin next week in the Adams Chapel Of the Union
theological Seminary by Professor Lewis i. ~tcar>,
a. Ba1eoN Me. The subject Is "Thc Evidence or
Christian Experience" The opening lecture VIII De