New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-18


other churches offer more in the way Of junketing
parties, but other town has mineral water that
induce visitors rise hour before breakfast
and walk this that spring the quality OF whose
water they have learned by experience is especially
suited for their specia! needs. II should be added
by way Of parenthesls. that some OF the Commits
eoners find out by experience what springs to keep
away from. well what to visit for, after
having tested half dozen so in single day.
more than man has been heard 10 remark that
he could not see why the water at Saratoga was so
popular.
Saratoga began 10 entertain the Assembly in 1879.
when DR.. Henry Harris Jessup. already veteran
in the Syrian mission field. its moderator. -Four
years later it came here again. when Dr. Z. F. Hat
field. Of NewYork, presided. DR.. Herrck johnson,
of Chicago preaching the retiring rnoder-
ator. The following year DR.. George p. Hays Of
Denver, was in the chair.
THE GREAT REVISION DEBATE.
Six years ago the revision debate carried
here. when President Patton, OF Princeton Unver.
sty, the acknowledged leader of the Conservative
party. made his great speech against revising the
Westminster Confession of Faith He said there
several things that the Assembly might do 1t
might do nothing 1t might propose the composition
of new creed that should be substitute for the
existing Standard II might have supplementary
explanatory creed consensus creed For himself
he added. he did not the need of taking any OF
those positions and the great audience of interested
people many Of whom felt that the Confession Of
Faith a veritabe ark Of God. hung breathless
upon the speakers words.
Slxty-eght presbyteries. he said. desired not to
have the Confession changed but 1874 presbyteres
had expressed themselves in the opposite way, 81
bow for myself" said DR.. Patton deliberately land
! desire that many see their way
clear TO It, who share with in the opinion already
expressed. may likewise bow. to this opinion of
the ma ory thus officially expressed" The tension
was and no iCriG fed hodN hrao ring
through all precedent. the church resounded with
applause from beth wings Of the house. DR.. Crosby.
expressed his appreciation Of the attitude taken by
the Princeton president, saying: Il that all
hearts are filed with gratitude to Almighty God
that where there might have been strife lie has
only strengthened brotherly love. and feel for
one. that we are greatly indebted to dear Broth
er Patton. who had 1t in his power to lead US into
the region Of strife. but. who SO. noby and mag
unanimously led us into the way Of peace"
1t was decided to revise the Standards, and DR..
Patton and other Princeton men were appointed
the committee with Dr. William c. Roberts the
firing Moderator, as chairman. Dr. William L.
Moore. the efficient and obiging permanent clerk OF
the Assembly. the Moderator that year. and
he performed the duties of that office with the
fidelity and painstaklng and thoroughness that
characterize his clerical duties. The Revision Com
mittee worked for two years In effort to prepare
. revised Creed that would satisfy the Church but
1t was unable to secure one. and the old Book
mains. Two years ago. when DIR. s. A. AIutchmore,
Of Philadelphia, was Moderator here. the burning
question the hercsy trial Of Professor Henry
Preserved Smith, of Lane Theological Seminary.
While no actual fires lighted there was In t.e
opinion Of some OF the people present at the
eions degree OF warmth remarkably suggestive OF
Invisible heat. Professor Smith suspended from
the ministry until he should say that he sorry
that he had ever promulgated herctical views, but
both he and DR.. Briggs, OF Union Seminary, who
suffered q similar fate at Washington the year be-
fore. have refused to acknowledge their errors and
their names appear in the official list OF the Church
as suspended" with the word of reproach written
In italics