The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-08
The Logic OF Revision.

Before the assembly of 1880 we were con-
fronted 10y theory. Revision was III the air.
but no man knew the mind of his neighbor.
After that assembly we have found ourselves
confronted by a condition. The mind of our
neighbors and friends was there spoken. The
fact OF changed mind toward the Confession
of Faith was then and there revealed That
changed mind expressed itself in the general
terms, We must nave some relief from the
Confession" One preSbytery suggested one
thing, another another thing but IN almost
every instance some distinguishing feature Of
Confessional Calvinism was hit squarely on
the head" This condition which confronis
us involves certain infcrences by the new
table logic of the nature Of things. The true
revision in esse has been accomplished IN the
heart of the Church by n long process of
history, by multiplied influences. by the
ministry of the living, indweiling spirit of
God, the heart Of the Church has been so
changed respecting the Confession of Faith
that when the Church came together IN gen.
raj assembly it said, I'VE cannot have this
system of doctrine, in It's present form, reign
over us any longer" Confessional Calyinism
was then aud there publicly depOscd; and the
assembly ratified the deposition 10y appoint
ing u committee 10 prepare US n revised Con
fession. This, then, is the condition by
which we are confronted. The Presbyterian
Church has changed heart toward its Con
fession of Faith IL has autbori,atvely APP
pointed committee 10 record that change of
heart in revised Confession. These are
Tbs Presbyterian Church is responsible for
& "a 4acts; but manly recognition of them
&11 clear statement Of them is the duty Of
6I Presbyterian. But at this p0iut a chO-
1I voices echoes the resolution of the as
e. 81, by which the committee is instructed
nQI ~ sin any way impair the integrity OF the
C1kI1nistlc system of doctrine taught in the
CQ1ossion of Faith" In this resolution is TO
stG1d alone, and is to be interpreted by its
0Wp hight. then the assembly has involved it.
f4h either IN very bad politics or very bad
Ioglc. IL this resolution was intended TO pre-
went the committee from expressing the
changed mind OF the Church. then il is spe-
cimen OF had politics, worthy Of the burnt
districts under the dominion of 1anlmany
II this resolution Is to be interpreted by itself
% that the committee is compelled TO give us
nRaln the Confession JUS, as il now is. the as
qemlly has stultifed itself by raising clamor
to1f has gone out 70 the ends of the earth,
ard By appointing committee 10 DO nothing:
and concluded the whole inane proceeding BY
y deal Of plous "doxologizipg." Has the gen
eral assembly appointed committee, then
straightway ordered that committee 10 do
nothing II this resolution means that the
committee shall leave the Confession as il is.
then. IN the name Of logic. Why the commit
tee' What Is Il 10 dor Put the same thing
IA softer words, insert few love texts? Plain
~ the assembly intended that the
revision committee should revise, and. IL
II revises the Confession. the Confession must
coanc out OF the committees hands different |
Non what u was wncn " went into their ]