The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-25
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
Twerty-eight Changes Proposed by
the Committee on Revision.

b-4O SOAAAAAlAVb0S CAA AN0f lIApAAs
PORTLAND, ORR, May 24-In the Pres
byterian general assembly yesterday th Q
final report Of the committee on revision OF
the confession Of faith was presented. The
action proposed by the committee consists
Of twenty-eight overtures. each one cover
ing Is change proposed to the confession. at
was found impossible to meet the individual
preferences of every presyJery without set
ting aside what were known TO be the
views Of a large majority OF the church.
There was an effort made TO secure harmony
at any sacrifice. The report is the very
best that the committee has been able to
prepare after weeks of labor. Division into
into twenty-eight sections will enable the
church to approve single alteration
without endangering the whole revision"
The report is signed unconditionally by
twelve members of the committee and with
exceptions by twelve members. OF the
| twenty eight changes III the confession Of
faith thirteen are accepted. The points
covered are: Divine DEGREES, preterition,
the creation, the covenant, the new paper
on the holy spirit, mans fall, the new chap
ter on the gospel, predessination, effectual
call, infant salvation, non-election and the
| Lords supper. No action was taken upon
| the report, but 10 may be called up at any
time.
Dr. Briggs, accompanied by his wife. has
arrived here.
The committee's report on the seven
| teenth amendment to the federal constitu-
tion was passed at the afternoon session
to-day. The text Of the amendment is
| slightly altered in order to meet the special
object OF the proposed amendment, which is
as follows
"Neither congress or any state shall
pass any law respecting any estab-
lishment OF religion or prohibiting
free exercises thereof, or use its property
and credit, or any money raised by taxa
tlon, or authorize either to be used Tor the
purpose Of founding, maintaining, or aiding
by appropriation, payment for services,
expenses or otherwise any church,
religious denomination. religious society
or any institution, society or undertaking
which is wholly or in part under seclarian
or ecclesiastical control.
The assembly indorsed this amendment
by an unanimous vote.
THE BRIGGS CASE.
At this point the report of the judicial
committee on the appeal in the case of the
upon the assembly. It was read by DR..
Smith of Buffalo, the chairman. The COM
Inlttee presents the following resolutions:
/. That in the opinion of this committee the
appeal taken by the Presbyterian church in the
United Sta5es of America, and the original
| party represented by the committee of prosecu-
tion appointed under section 2, book of dis
cipline, has been taken from the final judgment
OF the presbytery in dismissing the case, and
that SAID committee had the right to take their
appeal, representing said original party.
2. That IL hnds notice Of the appeal mad been
given ana that the appeal specifications of
error, and record have been filed in accordau ce
with sections 96 and 97 Of the DO ok
of discipline, and the appeal is in order.
| 3. Res tUed, That in the Judgment OF the COM
| mittee the appeal should be entertained and a
| time set for thu ri of a hn
| committee reports that the appeal is in order
| and that the general assembly should proceed
in accordance with the provisions of section
| or the book OF discipline by considering the
judgment of appeal and specifications Of
errors alleged to have been read; then
to hear the appellant by the com
person, or by his COUNSEL then the appellant by
the committee of prosecution in reply upon the
question, whether the appeal shall be enter.
tainedn
THE MINORITY REPORT.
Immediately after the statement that the
sessions OF the committee had been entirely
pleasant and harmonious, though not unani-
nous. the minority report was announced.
The document was read by DR.. Frazer of
Newark and was as follows:
The undersigned, a miAorty of the judicial
committee. would respectfully submit the fol
lowing report:
WHEREAS, The book of discipline requires that
appeals are generally to be taken to the judi
oiary Immediately superior to that appealed
from; and,
WHEREAS, There are not sufficient reasons for
making an appeal against the action OF the
presbytery of New York in dismissng the case
against Dr. Buggs an exception to this rule;
Therefore, we recommend to the general as
sembly that the appeal be not entertained; that
the papers in the case be returned to the ap-
pellant, and that they be advised then to bring
their appeal or complaint before the synod OF
New York.
This was signed by DR.. Frazsr and three
associates.
The only action taken upon the reports
thus submitted was to fix 4 o'clock to-
morrow as the time for their consideration.