Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-20
THE CONFESSION OF FAITH.
Changes Proposed by the Report Of ,
Committee on Revision.

Committee on Revision.
The Detroit correspondent Of the Philadel-
phia Press has telegraphed to that paper what
he says is a resume of the report to be made to
the Presbyterian general assembly tomorrow
by the committee appointed on the revision OF
the confession of faith and which was in session
in this city last winter. An important feature
Of the report was the conclusion of the COM
amendment be proposed that would in any way
impair the integrity of the reformed or Calvin
istic system Of doctrine taught in the confes-
sion." In order to allay all fears that might be
entertained in regard to the universal offer OF
the gospel the committee has Judged it wise to
devote to these subjects two entire chapters.
The committee thought it wise to recognize
the commonly accepted external evidences of
the divine origin of the Scriptures.
The frequently misunderstood section 4 Of
| chapter vi, in regard to the ability of man to
perform any deeds acceptable to God. is SO
amended as to confine his inability to spiritual
good. The "means" through which the Lord
offers unto sinners life and salvation is added
| to section 8 Of chapter iv, and the whole of
not being supported by facts of Scripture. In
section 8, chapter viii, "divine justice is sub
stituted for 1.-The justice of His father because
| this attribute is common to the three persons
| Of the Godhead.
Section of chapter il is 80 altered as to
leave no doubt in regard to the responsibility
| Of man as a free moral agent.
In order to discriminate between the two
operations included in effectual calling section
chapter <, the passivity Of the subject is con-
fined In the amendment to the ''act of regener.
alton"
The sections concerning the condition of in
fants dying in infancy is altered to take away
the rock Of offense- The section on the works
done by unregenerate men in chapter xvi is so
amended as to express the fact in the light OF
Gods word, owing to the impossibility OF
knowing who have sinned the sin unto death.
THE WORD "PoPIsH'' LEFT OUT.
The committee has SO changed section OF
chapter xxi that it reads, 1.-THE forgiveness OF
all sins except the sin unto DEATH" The
word "popish" is stricken out of section Z,
chapter xii, on the ground Of its being an
and the expression nursing fathers" in sec.
ton 8, chapter xiii, is dropped because civil
magistrates in this country cannot be said to
hold that relation to the church.
Without passing judgment on the question
whether or not "papists" are idolators, the
church members might, without falling under
Scripture condemnation, enter into marriage
relations with some members Of the Romish
church, and, therefore, propose as a substitute
IOr paplbtb OF Otner lQOlhtOr6 In section g.
chapter xiv, the words ''adherents Of false re.
hgions."
Section Of chapter XIV, was changed 80 as to
agreed with accepted facts. Instead of reading
section 2, chapter XIX, ''the popish sacrifice Of
| the mass" the revised confession, if adopted
will read '.the Roman Catholic doctrine Of the
| sacrifice of the mass
The unqualified statement in section OF
chapter Xxx that the officers Of the church
have power respectively to retain and remit
sins" is SO modified as to read that the power
thus given them is ministerial and declar.
| ative."
MUCH DISCUSSED CHAPTER.
The much discussed chapter third, relating
to Gods eternal decree, has been amended a.
| follows:
Sections and II unchanged; sections III
| 90 that section Ill will read:
III. God. before the foundation Of the world
was laid, according to His eternal and immutabIe
purpose and the secret counsel and good pleas
ure Of his will, has predsstinated some of man.
changeably chosen them In Christ into ever aa
lasting glory out Of His more free grace and
| love, without any foresight Of faith or good
works, or perseverance in either Of them, O,
any other thing in the crea ture, as conditions
or causes moving Him thereunto, and all to thu
praise of His glorious grace.
ORDAINED TO WRATH"
Section was amended and becomes section
Y, and is as follows: 1.-THE rest Of mankind, Goo
was pleased according to the unsearchabls
counsel of his own viii, whereby he extendetf
or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, mot T.
elect unto everlasting life,' but to ordain then
to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the
praise Of His glorious justice, yet 80 as thereby
neither is any limitation but upon the offer O
salvation to all upon condition Of faith il
Christ. Nor is restraint laid upon the freedom
Of any one to hinder his acceptance Of thi
| Offer"
Several new chapters have been added by tn.
committee, treating Of the Holy Spirit, the Cos
pei, DC.