New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-15

THE PRFSBYTERTAN GENERAL ASSEubLi'
The General Assembly which meets to-day
IN So,at,ca i the elimination OF one OF the
mos, ,om,rklbe movements in the history OF
.mo,ic,p presbvterianism. Only two years
400 . little Prcsbytcry in Long Island sent an
ovo,,uro 10 the Centennial General Assem-
bly. asking for a revision OF certain sections
of tba Westminster Confession. The overture
attracted no attention, and in perfunct0ry
y,,v was referred TO the next General Assem-
h,y. This time fifteen Presbytenes, none oil
.Lom however. being prominent or representa-
two sent in overtrres on the subject In
aof,rorco 70 these PrcSbyterics it was decided
10 submit the question OF revision to the Pres
bytorcs of the Church. The result has bcen
roround surprise to both the advocates and
oppcncnts of revision, almost two-thirds OF the
2l3 Prcsbyteiics having voted either IN FAVOR
of revising the Confession or of formulating
IN entirely new Creed That a movement
which began outside of the great centres OF in
,hIonce. and without single conspicuous
church leader 10 give it voice, should have
thus swopt everything before it in two years, is
most remarkable and suggestive iact.
And i, i, fact that throws upon this Cen
oval Assembly weight of responsibility from
which if might well shrink. For in all hkeli-
hood that body VIII be called upon to take
action most vitality affecting the future char
acter of American PrcSbytcrianiSm. Out OF
the multitude of Earring voices shouting IN
favor of the old Confession, or in behalf OF the
now Creed it must hear and interpret what Is
The true voice Of the Church. is the Church
ready TO throw its venerable Confession OF
Faith overheard? Or is it only ready to in
,roduce such changes in It's phlascology here
ard there as will make it more suited to the
thought of the modern Church? These queS-
tons NAV seem to the outsider 70 involve
little But TO the loyal Presbyterian they
involve the very character and future hie Of
he Church.
The ominouS call for a brandnew Greed,
which has been frequently heard since the
revision discussion began, sill further comph-
Gates the situation To a vast number of Pres
hytcrians new Creed would necessarily mean
the death of the Presbyterian Church and
hoy would Ar once >cccdc from body which,
in their opinion. had denied the principles
that gave it life. such schi,m would he
q dcplomblc calamity But, fortunately, there
i, little likelihood Of It's taking place II could
only be brought about by the extremists on
both sides of the question, and the indications
are that the moderate men VIII control the
General Assembly.
The great interest felt in this General As
,cmbly by 50 many people outside Of the Pres
bytcrlan Church is explained by the fact that
he theology of the Westminster Confession
has deeply IMPRESSED it>cf on English speak
ng Professionalism. II has given tone and
color to the religion, liic not merely OF all
the variou, bianhcS Of the Presbyterian
Church. but of the Baptist and Congregation
ali> churches a. well II has even reacted
on the Anglican communion, and unGrd the
theology OF some Of lis most hOn0rcd dlyinc>.
InijarianiSm and Univcr>aliSm also, have an
intcrcst in the ultimate fate OF this celebrated
symbol: for they were born ont OF the revolt
against the uncompromi>inS dogmas that are
20 be found in il. The Confession, in short,
j, in certain sense the common possession Of
English Professionalism, and the widespread in
,crcS, in IFS revision is therefore both natural
and proper. Among tho commissioners "a the
present General Assembly are 10 he found
some of the wiSeSt and ableSt leaders of the
Church, men who represent lis best thought in
every sense of the word Is deliberations will
Ire characterized by ability and wisdom.