Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-07
PRESBYTERIAN LEAGUE.
A Declaration of Principles Urging
Greater LiberaIity in the Church.

A movement in the Presbyterian Church
has crystallized into formal declaration
of principles, which was privately circu-
lated until a sufficient number of names in
dorsing 1t had been received to justify its
publication. 1t is intended to form within
the membership of the Presbyterian
churches of New York and its vicinity a
league of workers who, while defending no
individuals. insist on the maintenance of
liberty within constitutional limits in the
church. The league expects to heal diff
ferences instead of dividing the church,
and make it possible for all to remain in
common loyalty to the church. The text OF
the circular is:
and vicinity deems II proper at this time to
put ON record the following statement of
its principles:
First, The league aims TO secure the con-
stitutional rights of its members, as well
those of all other Presbyterians as far
as its influence can reach. 1t holds that
the Presbyterian standard of qualification
for ofhce-bearers is to be found in the
statements of the written constitution of
the church, as far as these conform to the
infallible rule of faith and life preserved
for us in the Scriptures; and that no resolu-
tons, deliverances, judgments or other
votes of the majority of any ecclesiastical
body can form any part of this standard.
until they have been, by due process, in
corporated in the written constitution.
Second, The league aims to bring about
sooner or later, the reversals of burdensome
and unjust action recently taken by courts
CT the Presbyterian Church.
Third, The league aims at the adoption
by the church of needed amendments to
the book of discipline, according TO the
mode constitutionally provided for amend
ments
Fourth, The league desires to encourage
all reverent study of the Bible and all at
tempts made in the humble reliance upon
the spirit of God so to restate the difficult
questions of theology, and so to present
the truth as it is IN Jesus as to remove
stumbling blocks out of the way, enrich the
experience Of the church and equip it for
its general work of preaching the gospel to
every crea ture.
Fifth, The league aims to secure as
soon as practicable. a better declaration of
the faith of the church than it now possess
es. If possible in the form of a short and
simple creed, expressed, as far as may be,
in scriptural language.
sixth, The league aims at increased eff
ficiency in the practical life of the church,
declaring its readiness to adapt methods
of Christian work to varying needs to en-
ploy new methods where these seem called
for, and to make room for diversities of
gifts. 1t recognizes the Holy Spirit as the
living teacher of the church and looks TO
Him directly for guidance. 1t expresses it's
readiness TO cooperate with all who labor
to reclaim the lost, to meet physical needs
to solve social problems and to build up
Christian-like character.
Seventh, The league longs and prays for
the unity of the Church of Christ on the
earth; deplores the present wasteful divi-
sions and declares its sympathy with all
those who are honestly and earnestly seek
ing to heal these divisions, and to realize
the Saviors prayer, that they all may be
one"
The names attached to this circular are
Rev. Dr. Anson p Atterbury, Prof. Francis
Brown, John Crosby Brown, Prof F. NJ.
Burdick, William E. Dodge, Rev DIR. l..
Lampnfan, Rev. w. NJ. Martin T b. Meigs,
Rev. Thomas a. Nelson, Rev. Dr. John
Bascom Shaw, j. f. Ware, Rev. George S.
Webster and William A. Wheelock