The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-11-12
Rev. DR.. Bitzer's Gard.

We publish communication to day
from Rev. DR.. Bitter, Of Louisville, Ky,
criticising an editorial that appeared in
the VIRGINIAN several weeks ago under
the caption of ''Orthodox Creeds.n We
would not undertake to discuss theolo-
gieal points with Dir. Bitter, even If
there were occasion for it, as there is not
in this case, for there is very little diff
erence between US. The points he
makes against Rev. MacquearY, we had
not seen in the brief summary Of the
trial that came under our notice. Ii we
had noticed them, we should have en-
tered an emphatic protest against them,
in the editorial article to which reference
is made We believe in the cardinal and
essential doctrines of christianity as
| contained in the New Testament, and
have no patience with infidelity in any
form, when it brings in question the
divinity or the God head of Christ. We
are entirely orthodox as to that The
| idea that we endeayored to present
was that there had been, and with
many there is now, too much import
ance given to UNCONVENTIONAL creeds,
and not enough to the Bible creed. We
| find the views we advanced, being an
nounced every week, in some form or
other, by learned ministers of the Cos
pei We referred last week to two SER
mons preached in the First Presbyterian
Church at Staunton, recently, one by
Dr. Macfarland, and the other by DR..
! Shanks-two very able ministers, in
which they impressed the great import
ance of the doctrine announced by
/ Christ, while on earth, and the lesser
Importance Of denominational creeds.
Last Sunday night Rev. Dr.. Gardner, of
| the Methodist Church, Staunton, de-
livered an able sermon, on the same line
taking as his text the 18th verse of the
18th chapter of John. He urged the doc
trine of Christ for the acceptance of
his hearers and minimiZed, in compari-
son, UNCONVENTIONAL doctrines.
A few days ago at a special session of
the Presbytery of New York, held in
New York City, a report from the com
mittee appointed to revise the West
minister Confession of Faith, advised
| the entire elimination from the Presby-
terrain creed of the doctrines of predes-
tination and election, and modifies that
of eternal damnation. The recent dis
1nissal of the charges against DR.. Briggs
was in harmony with this innovation
upon UNCONVENTIONAL creeds.
In referring to ecclesiastical questions
and conditions, in these columns, we do
so from journalistic point of view. We
believe the dutyof the secular paper is
to keep its readers posted. on all guess
tions of public concern, and there is no
subject that is of more general interest
to intelligent people than that of reli-
gion. 1t is in no controversial spirit that
we do this. 1t is very apparent that the
trend of theological thought is against
the dogmatisms of AFOREMENTIONED reeds,
that the old beaten paths of the fathers
are being torn up, and rituals and can
Gus and doctrines announced in disci-
pines and formulas, are being assaied
| by the ablest of ministers, and their
non essential nature, as compared with
! the essential doctrine of Christ's cruel
| fixion, resurrection and intercession
exposed. The nearer the people get to
this central truth and apply it in each
/ individual case, the better for fallen hui
| maniity