The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-08

Nlylls @N J tory of the church,
meets at Port
land, Or, on May 10, and it will be the
most important that has been held for a
long time. Questions are 10 be brought
forward for decision which farseeing men
think involve the very stability Of the
church
This is the first time that the assembly
has visited the Pacific coast. and IL Will be
the first time that the majority Of the 900
odd commissioners have crossed the Rocky
mountains. At the meeting in Detroit
last year there was sharp rivalry be
tween several Of the western cities for the
honor, but Portland finally captured it.
It's representatives prCIised TO entertain
free 200 commissioners, Bnd 10 contribute,
if necessary, 10000 for extraordinary e1-
penses The sessions will be held in the
First Presbyterian church. The edifice is
well adapted for convention purposes. The
Rev. Arthur j. Brown, d. D., is the pas
tor, and he has been busy for months ar
ranging for the event.
The Presbyterian church now has
membership Of over 10000 and its organ
ization is one Of the strongest among reii-
gious denominations. The most important
matters 10 come up at Portland have dl-
rect bearing upon doctnnal points. The
committee on the revision Of the West
Minister Confession appointed two years
ago has prepared its final report, and the
general assembly must say whether It y
to be accepted. The revision has been agi-
tated for nearly decade, and last year
the committee brought in a report which
was sent down TO the presbyterles for their
consideration. Nearly all OF them had sug-
qestions 10 offer. and the committee met
again and drew up tho modified report,
based on the action Of the presbyteries,
which is to como mp at this assembly. II
tones down many things but still pre-
serves the distinctive Calvinistic features.
This has not satisfied the advocates OF rad
jcal revision. and many Of them are now
in favor Of preserving the original confes-
sion for It's historical WORTH and want
short working creed prepared for general
use. There is certain 10 De sharp discus
sion of the whole matter.
Another point Of most vital interest is
the question of the general assembly's con-
troll over the theological seminares. When
the appointment of Professor Charles A.
Briggs to the chair of Biblical theology in
Union seminary, New York, was vetoed at
Detroit last year, a committee was appoint
ed 10 confer with the directors of Union on
the status Of the institution and report
this year. Union seminary has defed the
authority Of the general assembly 10y re-
tanning Professor Briggs. This has caused
1. 81 . 4 faal
Of the presbyteries have refused 10 send
their ministerial candidates 20 Union IN
consequence. one OF two Of the presby-
teries 20 50 far rs 10 AK the general as
sembly 10 cut the seminary of from the
church entirely. There is another party,
however, that is for holding on TO Union at
all hazards, and disciplining it's directors
if they refuse 10 recognize the authority Of
the assembly Tho majority Of the sem
mary directors claim that the institution
is independent of the assembly under it's
charter, and that the compact OF 1870, by
which the privilege Of vetoing appoint
ments was given TO the assembly, was
illegal.
The situation Is complicated by the fact
that Lane Theological seminary at Cincin-
natl has two or three ministers in its
faculty who are close 10 DR.. Briggs in their
views, and whom some Of the Cincinnati
Presbyterians Of the old school have been
trying TO remove in consequence, but so
far without success Lane is one Of the
Oldest of Presbyterian seminaries. having
been started by the Rev. DR.. Lyman
Beecher in 1921.
The fate Of Professor Briggs himself, so
far as his position in the church is con
cerned, as well as that Of the institution
which has been brought under fire be
cause Of his views will be practically de-
cided at Portland Professor Briggs and
his opinions are considered by some as the
great disturbing element in the church.
During the past year Ale question Of his