The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-28
THE SOLUTION OF THE CREED CUES
TiON.

THE SOLUTION OF THE CREED CUES
DIR. f. A. Bisbee of Philadelphia, at
Pasadena, CAL, July, 20, '97.1
1.-The Winchester Profession of
Faith is the best modern creed in exis-
tence. 1t has two inestimable qualities,
brevity and omprehensiveness 1t is
shorter t94 words) even than the re-
ceived form of the Apostles Creed (115
words). and it contains more of the uni
versal element of the Christian religion.
Therefore, the Universalist Church has
the proud distinction of possessing the
shortest and most comprehensive creed
in Christendom. The authorship of the
Winchester Profession is not one of the
least of the proud distinctions of the
Universalist Church.
II.-This Profession OF Faith stood for
nearly seventy years simply as declara-
tion of Principles. 1t was rarely used !,
or even thought of as a test of fellow
ship. Ministers were examined and adj
mitted to fellowship without any al
lusion to the Profession. Societies all
over the land we're organized, and adop-
ted their own statement of faith, and
| doubt if one was ever rejected or dis
fellowshipped during those years for
not adopting the Winchester Profes.
sion.
Nominally, it may have been regarded
as test of fellowship by its authors. But
IN practice twas rot; for they distinctly
stated when they adopted it. that every
society or association should have the
right to formulate its own statement of
principles so long as they were not con-
trary to the fundamentals of the Pro-
fession.
This was the usage, and under it our
church grew to great proportions. Less
than thirty years ago, the present form
of church government was adopted, and
in it the Winchester Profession was
made the basis and test of admission
into it's fellowship. But it has never
been strictly or generally observed, es.
pecially in the organization of parishes.
and it has seemed impossible to enforce
it, and little effort has been made to do
30.
Nor has it been satisfactory as test
of fellowship. That which stood for
seventy years unchallenged as declar-
alton Of principles. has never been gen.
orally used or heartily approved during
the twenty seven years it has stood as
test of fellowship. And for eighteen
years of the twenty seven, it has been a
bone of contention. For several years
we tried to amend it, but without sue
cess. Latterly we have been trying to
adopt new one as substitute, with
little better results.
Our wisest men have wrought upon it,
and the time and strength and best
talent Of our General Convention has
been given to its discussion. And the
end is not yet. When the new creed
which was adopted at Meriden in 90; is
voted down at Chicago next October, as
it is sure to be, we shall be as far from a
final solution of this vexed question as
ever.
Are we going on another eighteen
years. in the same unsatisfactory way
Or shall we learn wisdom from the past,
and try some other solution? What
does the past teach u.s.?
First. That we can never have a
united church with the Winchester
Profession as the only and final test of
fellowship in our church.
Second, that it can never be amended
SO as to make it satisfactory to all inter
ests of the denomination.
Third-that no new one can ever take
it's place.
II we have learned these things, then
can see but three ways to settle this
question and settle it right. O., to the
general satisfaction of all parties.
l. We might keep the Winchester
AOhO6oAOh oS ~ 5NaAO5s 1nbu l6dN6 dli
parishes and churches to adopt such
particular forms of statement as would
best suit their needs, provided they do
not disagree with the fundamentals of
our faith or the spirit of the Winchester
Profession. Thus those who cannot
accept the Winchester Profession could
phrase their own. and SO the friends and
critics of the present creed would all be
satisfied. This was the usage of our
church for the first seventy years of its
growth; and they were prosperous
years.
2. We might keep the Winchester
Profession for all who prefer it as a
standard, and adopt more general state.
ment, free from all the Objectionable
features of the Winchester Profession