The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-27
A CONSERVATIVE REVISION
OF THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION.
Is IL Not Expected to suit Either Glass
OF Radicals-To be Referred Back to
the Presbyterios-rhe Briggs Case
Again-Othor Religious News.

DETROIT, Mich, May 20.-The full re-
port of the committee of revision ap-
pointed by the last presbyterian assem-
bly, was made public this morning. The
report will probably be submitted to the
assembly which meets in this city tomor-
row. 1t is possible that the work of the
committee will be sent to the presbyteries
for their consideration without discussion,
but it is hardly probable.
The committee does not hatter itself
with the hope that all of the presbyteries
will be satisfied with its work, but hopes
that it has met the views of the majority
of The presbytery. The committee has
aimed to make no alterations that would
in any way impair the integrity of the re-
formed or Calvinistic system of doctrine
taught in the confession. Two chapters
have been inserted in the book, one re-
lating to the work of the Holy Spirit, the
other to the universal offer of the gospel.
The greatest change in the book, as was
expected, has taken place in the third
chapter, which treats of the eternal de-
crees. This has been recast, rather than
rewritten, and the expressions considered
objectionable by so many have disap-
| peared.
One of the changes that will meet with
general approval is the confessional state
ment regarding Roman catholics. They
are no longer called "papists" and "idola-
tors" but they are included among 'the
adherents of false religion"
The Rev. William Q. Roberts, d. d.,
chairman of the revision of the presby
terrain assembly, arrived late last night.
The committee has twenty-five members,
and adopted the points OF the reyisons
trouble at q meeting IN Washington,
| ID. c., last February. 1t is believed that
it may not cause a heated struggle,
especially at the present assembly. 1t will
be referred to the presbyteries, and If
adopted by q majority of them will Re
! passed upon by the next general assem-
1 bly,. DIR. Roberts said today: 81 consider
1t, on the whole, rater conservative re-
| port. The first part will give our reason
for the changes. We propose to add two
new sections to the confession OF faith;
to drop out part entirely and to change
words and phrases here and there. pre-
sumo that the extreme conservatives and
I radicals will not be suited"
The central figure at the opening of the
presbyterian general assembly tomorrow,
| by virtue of his official position, will be
the retiring moderator, William Ewes
! Moore, d. d., OF Columbus, o., who is also
permanent clerk of the assembly, an Office
he has held since 1884. Leading candi-
dates for the succession to DIR. Moore's
place. presumably placed in the field by
their friends, are DR.. Charles A. Dickey,
pastor of Calvary church, Philadelphia;
| DIR. George ID. Baker, also of Philadelphia;
| DR.. William fl. Green of Princeton, Or.
! ii. c. Hayden of Cleveland and DR.. John
| Hall of New York.
The Rev. William o. T.. Moore of Co
lumbus, o., who for the past year has
been the highest dignitary of the presby-
terrain church. was this afternoon shown
the dispatch from New York giving the
! question submitted to Prof. Briggs for mis-
| consideration and reply by q committee
| of three appointed by the directors of the
| Union theological seminary. After read
| ing the dispatch DR.. Moore said 81 think
that is genuine. The whole trouble about
| DIR. Briggs has arisen from his paradoxical
| style OF stating points. There was moth
ing in his inaugural address, rightly I'M
| derstood, which is in conflict with the
presbyterian creed. These questions were
| prepared from all the objections against
| his address which have been made and all
! the inferences as to what he meant His
answers place him in line with the church.
| He saws that he does not consider the
| bible, church and reason as coordinate
sources of authority. There is nothing in
his address to the contrary. notwithstand-
ing the popular belief.
Now he says too, that he believes the
bible is an intallible record of Gods reve-
lation in respect to both fact and doctrine.
| OF course he means in essential things.
| DR.. Briggs says also that he does not hold
| W In IL " Ennwn "a pfrir
OF future probation in purgatory. His adj
dress does not warrant such an inference
| at all. He believes there will be progress
sion from the time OF death to the time of
resurrection"
| DETROIT, Mich, May 21.-The 103rd an
nual meeting of the presbyterian general
assembly convened this morning in the
| First presbyterian church in this city.
| After an invocation by the Rev. DR..
| Radcliffe, pastor of the church, and sing
ing "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name"
| by the congregation, the Rev. DIR. + l..
| Patton, president of Princeton, read the
sixteenth chapter OF Isaiah, and prayer
was offered by the Rev. DIR. James Smith
of Baltimore. The Rev. DIR. William +.
| Moore OF Cincinnati, moderator of the last
assembly, delivered the opening assembly
sermon from John iii, IL: "For God sent
not his son into the world to condemn the
| world, but that the world through him
might be saved"
| After prayer by DIR. Moore the organiza-
ton of the assembly was perfected, and
after singing the committee on arrange
ments reported and the assembly ad-
| journed till 3 p. m.
| The afternoon session came to order
promptly at 5 o'clock. After prayer by the
moderator the STATED clerk called the roll
and, nominations fer moderator being in
order, the Rev. DIR. Dickey of Philadel-
phia addressed the assembly. He said
that his own convictions and those of
many friends moved him to nominate a
| beloved brother whose name is favor
ably known throughout the world, one
who will do what man can do TO pro-
serve that spirit OF good will which so
happily characterized the last assembly.
81 mean the Rev. Prof. William II.
Green OF the Princeton theological SEM
mary" The Rev. Gen. Baker, now of
| Philadelphia, formerly pastor of the First
| presbyterian church in Detroit. seconded
the nomination, urging that DIR. Green
may be elected by reclamation.
On motion il was voted to suspend noun
nations and decide the matter by a rising
vote, which resulted in the unanimous
choice OF DIR. Green.
| DIR. Dickey and DR.. Baker were APP
| pointed by the chair a committee to con-
II Al IL .