New-York tribune., 1900-04-17
HILLS NOT A PRESBYTERIAN.
HIS WITHDRAWAL ALLOWED BY THE CHI
CAGO OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
FOR NEW CREED.

Chicago, April 16-With only one dissenting vote
the report of the committee to which was referred
'he request Of Dr. Newell Dwight Hills. ~
Brooklyn. that his be erased from the
OF the Chicago Presbytery was to-day adopt-u
by that body at Its regular meeting. The questions
Presbyterian doctrine raised by Hills in
at Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, did not
however, any bearing on the acceptance
rejection OF DR.. Hilliss resignation. The commit
reported that 1t had further corresponded WIN
DR.. Hills the subject and that In his second
letter the Brooklyn preacher had again asked that
his name be erased from the rolls OF the Presby-
tery.
DR.. His's first letter. the committee reported.
allowed for differences of interpretation and as
circumstances did not admit the proposition that
personal interview be held with DR. Hills he has
written in regard to a right Interpretation of his
letter
DR.. Hillis's request therefore, that he be allowed
to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the Chicago
Presbytery was simply matter provided for in
the Book of Discipline. and without any debate
the report adopted
The report of the committee admitted that Chap
ter III, Section and Section of the Presbyterian
Confession of Faith Sources of embarrass-
ment," and not regarded as essential The threat
ened dispute over DR. Hlis's resignation out OF the
way. however. the Presbytery by unanimous vote
adopted set OF resolutions. introduced by DR.. Her
rick Johnson. president of Mccormick Theological
Seminary. overturng the General Assembly to
point a committee report the general ques-
tlon or the Presbyterian creed. The resolutions
were as follows
In view of the widespread misunderstanding of
beloved Presbyterian Church and
In view of the archaic form in which some OF the
doctrines of Church have expression in the
historic Confession of Faith and
In view Of the gross misrepresentation of
faith that claim to find their justification in these
existing forms
We, the Presbytery of Chicago. do overture the
into consideration this whole matter of a restate
ment of doCtrnal standard and to report to the
next Assembly following what in their Judgment
should be the action of our Church this subject
DR. W. c. Gray. Editor of The Interior" has
prepared for this weeks Issue of that paper
editorial in which he announces that The Interior
Will advocate a movement to substitute brief
evangelical creed of the Presbyterian type of
thought and expression for the Westminster Con-
fesson of Faith He gives five separate reasons for
that demand. Speaking Of the subject. DR.. Gray
said last night that the churches in Scotland
lieVed themselves of Objectionable statements in
the Confession by adopting supplementary and
explanatory statement. which thus became their
land set the Confession aside and formulated a
new, brief code which is now the dOctrinel symbol
of the Church. Dr. Gray spoke of the Intellectual
steps taken ten years ago by the Northern Pres
byteran Church TO revise the Confession and de-
clared that people demand brevity. clearness
and simplicity in doctrinal statements.
while the Hills incident did create a de
degree OF misunderstanding and confusion that
needs clearing up.'