New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-18
WORKING on THE CONFESSION OF FAITH
THE REVISION COMMITTEE ENDS ITS SESSIONS
IN wASHINGToN-THE RESULTS NOT
MADE PUBLIC


Washington Feb l. (speciau-The Presbyterian
Assembly Revision Committee, which has been in
session in this city for the last eleven days, has finally
ADJOURNED. Last fall the committee held a meeting
Al fittsOurG which continued through ten days, so
tat II has been in session altogether twentyO days
us work, which was assigned to il by the General
Assembly Of the Presbyterian Church last summer Is
considered to be practically finished. As is well
known, this work TO consider the various recon-
mendations made by the Presbyteries relative TO the
subject Of the revision OF the Confession Of Faith
Inc committee formed the basis Of the con
Sulutlon OF the last General Assembly and therefore
"othirds Of its members were in favor of revision
OF some form and one third opposed TO revision.
PRESIDENT Patton, OF Princeton University, led the
minority and President Roberts. Of the Northwestern
University, who presided the deliberations of the
committee favored revision. The sessions of the com
h''tee' however, IN spite of the division Of the mem
Def'hlp into opposing parties. were entirely har
"loHlOuS. Those opposed to revision, recognizing the
inevitable, yielded when opposition was clearly fruit
less and cndca0Ored to make the changes proposed
As slight departures possible from the present forms
Inc results OF the work of the committee will not be
maze known until the next meeting Of the Assembly
I'll Detroit when the report will be submitted to that
body. 1t will probably be accompanied with resolu-
on 10 refer the report at TO the several Prcsby
t'fe' for their action. The General Assembly Itself
haN no power TO adopt the report such action re
flrcS the approval OF wothds Of the Prcsbytorics.
IL Is not likely that the changes proposed Will become
enacted into law for five or six years yet.
The sessions in this city were held at the Church Of
The Covenant upon the invitation OF cXJuStce Will
IAN strong, who Is member OF the committee. and
10 also prominent IN the Church Of the Covenant.
Two meeting, We're held each day the first beginning
al O'Clock and ending ut /, the second at 80 and
closing AT 6. During the recess the members went to
the Arlington which was their headquarters. for
luncheon. The evening was devoted to committee work.
and When the various subcommittee met and dis
cused the subjects referred to them and reported to
the fIu committee the next day. The room occupied
In the church binding was one OF the sunday school
rooms In the second story Of the chapel, having win
dows looking out on N-st. Here the members sat at
a number Of small tables supplied with writing ma
tcrial. Al these facilities were furnished by the
Church Of the Covenant whose guests. to speak, the
committee were during their stay I'm the city.
Acting upon the suggestions received from the various
Pre,byteres. the chapters in the Confession relating
to the durcss Of God and the future OF infants received
good deal Of attention from the committee. and ii Is
believed that the changes were adopted which have
been approved generally by the Prc,bytcrcs. The
mittcc. IL J., understood. have decided 70 recommend
tn" addition Of two new chapters to the Confession
other 10 tn Gospel While. Of nothing positive
be said relative the report. Yet IL is under
stood that no radical departure Is recommended
During the stay Of the members Of the committee in
thi, CITY thcy the recipients of Of good many
social attentions. The President, Secretary Noble
and Postmaster General WanamHhcr entertained mum
Der ~ the members AT dinner. Judge strong gave
tea u their honor Gardiner G.. Hubbard and the Roy.
Dr. llamlin also gave receptions which enabled the
member, Of the committee 10 meet those prominent in
the social and Official HE OF the city.