The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-11-10
Liberal Element Take q Determined
Stand Against the Strictly
Orthodox.
Decide to Make q Fight for Their
Rights In Their
Church.
Brethren Advised 10 Abide In
Communi0n and Service.

CLEVELAND. Nov. 9.-Ths PpssbytsYiap
oonfessnco elsssd iss sessions In Calvary
church this afteSnoon and the conclusions
reached made the Rathsfing . historical
one. The liberal gsntlsuen who composed
the confeSsn0s have taken q determined
stand against Shsir more orthodox brsth.
rem. and dsteSntnsd to tight for their rights
In the church Of their choice. The sessions
were secret and no ono seems authorized 10
talk. 4 committee appointed BY the con-
ference this evening gave out . proolsma-
tion. The committee consisted Of Boy. Dr..
Patterson. Of Chicago; Rev. Dr.. Eebsrs
OF st. Paul; Rev. Dr.. Brown. Of New York;
Rev. Dr.. Fisk, Of Ithioa, N. Y; Rev. White,
Of Columbus. O.; Rev. Aillard. Of Roeh-
ester. and Rev. Hayden. of Cleveland.
Tho proclamation states that the min
isteEs being seriously concerned In view
OF certain facts and tendencies In the
Presby ytorian chu' Oh, they make the state
ment that the general assembly has NO
right TO impose on the church . new doc.
trinai statement. and the Interpretation Of
doctrine BY the courts Of the ohuseh
ought always 10 be strictly within the
standards. and with sacred regard to the
broad and generous terms of the rsanion
of 1870. The committee believes the most
sorupulous oaSs should be used In all trials
for dootrinal divsrasnoies. and With great
concern. In the expectation that our stand
ards may be strained beyond any Just re-
gard for the compact Of reunion. No court
of our church has . right 10 suppress re-
speotful action By the judieAtozies below It,
| expressing app1ehens,on concerning any
thing In tho church. The right Of pstisl on
| and remembrance must not b denied In
| the church Of Christ.
The Interpretation Of ono or two phrases
of the book Of discipline % mesning that
prosecuting after . judioatory had acquitted
10 a strained interpretation, leading logi-
| eally to many absuYdities and possibly to
misoa1riaRes Of justice. II the phrases are
susceptible TO suoh Interpretation they
ought to be eliminated.
The committee CONTINUING says: I'VE
believe il IL NO part of the constitutional
power OF any court Of the church to warn
honest and God-fsaring men to withdraw
from the ministry because they cannot 40.
oept Interpretations Of doctrines which are
outside the letter Of confession. and which
never have been settled BY the sanction of
presbytsEies In legal way. Withdrawal
from church. enjoined by resolution of .
court, Is not provided for in the book of
discipline and carries no obligation of obe-
dience.
1.-THE committee believes the church broad
and strong enough to ahids BY the spirit of
the compact of reunion and to embrace all
forms and schools which accept the essen
tial and necessary articles of our common
faith. acknowledging the Lord Jesus - the
divine master and savior and the Bible -
| the only infallible rule"
The proclamation calls upon Presbyte-
rians to stand together In defense of rea-
sonabls liberty Of opinion in tho church
and of tho constitutional rights of individ-
ual msmbsrs. and heartily approved the
protest of Dr.. Herrick johnson. Or. Mic
coils and Others at the late general assem-
bly,.
In closing the mmists says: 1--WE most
urgently counsel brethren who may be per-
plsxed to abide in the communion and scr
vice of the church. assured that In doing
50 they are within their constitutional
lights. Only q profound sense OF the peril
that besets the church let's % make this
declaration of what seems to Us funda-
mental principals. In behalf of the con-
ference held at Cleveland. Ohio, Nov. 80,
1893. (SiQned.)
HIRAM q. HAYDEN. Chairman,
THOMAS G. HALL, Secretary"