New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-03
THE REVISION QUESTION.
DIR. JOHN HALL PRESENTS VARIOUS REA
SONS FOR OPPOSING IT.


lie, and on which you have been giving your
readers impartial reports. / shall be glad If any
fears be dispelled any mistakes corrected, and
know that through your columns many will be
reached who are interested in this discussion over
the Presbyterian standards
As 10 the fears: Some may dread complete
revoutionizing of the doctrines Of the Church.
Now, the friends of revision in the strongest way
disclam any such intention, at least in the re-
port which q committee brought in, and the In
dorsing or voting out of which is the question
before the Presbytery. In several varieties
OF form the report expresses conservative feeling
and says: This Presbytery would regard with
apprehension any attempt to remodel the Con-
fession Of Faith endangering the integrity of
our system Of doctrine We deprecate most earn
estly all such changes as would impair the es-
sential articles of our faith, contained in that
Confession, which has so long survived as our
standard, and TO which we bound by so many
historic ties" So reported the committee Of
twelve, and, far, nearly every speaker has in
dorsed the sentiment. No fear of the remuneration
Of the old system of doctrine" need be enter
tanned.
Then, why is there disagreement? Because, in
the Judgment of a portion Of the Presbytery, the
omission recommended, though affecting only eight
change, apart from any objection to its own nature
1t is confessed all hands that there difficult
les about the doctrine referred to- in all the his
tory of Christianity there have been, and are,
about the mysteries of the Trinity, the two-fold
nature of the Saviour, and other doctrines; but
the removal of the causes of difficulty. they con-
tend, would not be loyal to revelation, nor pro-
tective of the system of doctrine.
Other criticisms for example, have been made
by the supporters of the proposed change :" 1t
ought" says one, to have other matter in II,
such as statement regarding the second coming
of our Lord But the whole Of the last chapter
is on this very matter Some, indeed, with pre-
millennial views would doubtless like chapter
embracing them-an illustration of the contingent
cies to be faced Some indeed, think that missions
and other forms of benevolent work should have
place. To this it is replied that creed, as
its name tfrom Credo, / believe) implies, is a
statement of belief out of which, naturally, obi
cations indeed RISE but the duties are pre-
sented elsewhere. The Apostles creed" the Nj
Gene the Athanasian and other historic creeds,
only contain doctrine So with the Lambeth
articles. the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church
Of England, the Scotch, Dutch, and other Con-
fessions. Duties are put, as in the Westminster
and other catechisms, into popular form. To
be new and unprecedented course, and a most
difficult undertaking. Here is the statement
of the case from the Council Of Trent, third
session: Before all things confession Of faith
is to be set forth following herein the example
of the fathers, who have been won't TO
oppose this shield against hereses."
But what is the immediate change urged by
the committee? 1t is that the seven or eight
sentences alluded to be omitted. -Four of them
refer TO the passing by" or foreordination Of
some to everlasting death, and two more-as long
as the four-describe in detail the working of
divine grace in believers, and one more points
out the use and guards against the abuse, of this
truth. To this omission it is objected that 1t
leaves out important truth inseparable from other
parts OF the Confession; that it virtually pro-
nounces against other parts as If not In the
Bible; and that to preserve the self-cOnsisency
Of the Confession other and important statements
would have TO be removed also.
But is not this passing by some sinners
dreadful doctrine?" Well, it is in many other
creeds in various forms, and has much in common
with the doctrines of all the Reformed Churches,
although stated more distinctly than in some of
them. Any reader can compare the 9Th and 7th
articles Of the Episcopal Church, the latter Of
which has, like the Confession, most solemn
cautionary word against curious and carnaI
persons lacking the spirit Of Christ, having
before their eyes continually the sentence OF
Gods predestinatiOn. We could wish that this
article and the Canons of the Synod of bort, ,
which are far fuller on Reprobation' than the
Confession were more studied, and compared
with Scripture.
Some, indeed, have argued against the dogma
itself. 81 see,' one may say, a poor worthless
fellow in the water, drowning: Every feeling
in me prompts 10 his rescue. Why IS IL other
wise with Deity?" But is the parallel perfect
between the reasoner and the poor fellow
sinner in the water on one side, and the Ruler
Of the Universe and rebeIllous, sinful men on
the other? Garry the plea to the Governor
Of the State: Here is poor wretch life
prisoner pity him Why do you not pardon and
release him Yes the reply might properly
be, ." pity him, too but have to think of other
matters than pty-of law, order, justice, and the
need of ruler being terror to evil-doers
makes a charge of this sort. how many bad
thoughts may come up! why" according 10
this mans Bible this very Deity drowned
Pharaoh and his host; aye. in Noah's day drowned
merciful God executes His will in
in the one, and what about the other ''''' w
Here is a statement Of the case from the Creeds
Of Christendom, Vol. !, p; 794, and from one I'M
friendly 10 this doctrine being in a Confession :
While the other orthodox Confessions conceal
the real difficulty, Calvinism reveals IL, and thus
brings it nearer 10 solution" In what sense he
does not show but ne is right in the view that
the only way in which the difficulty can be got
rid Of is in the belief Of universal light in
Second Probation The opponents of the change
prefer 10 let the mystery remain, like others.
All. but. say some. here is the key 10 thr
difficulty. Whom God forelIncw, l. e., in
His omniscience. that they would he good and
believe, He predestinated and put into the book
of life :" and the thing took place as 10 the
lost. He passed them by as He foresaw their un-
belief. But this cOntradicts Scripture and the
experience Of Christians Pous CalvnstS preach
like Arminians: and pious Arminans pray like
Cavinists. Yes: and So too. they sing and
praise The faith that joins 10 the Saviour is the
divine gift, and not the superior vision and good
sense Of the believer All admit that.
The mystery must remain for il is in the Script
ures and it is there Sc for cause What
that is we do not now discuss. Granted
that it raised difficulties. SO did. and do the
Deity OF the Son and the endurance Of punish
ment forever TO even the worst men. Shall we
MT them aWaV2 "Well hnf men even gnnd