The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-04-21
Presbyterians TO Discuss its Revis-
ion in General Assembly.
WashinGton GIersymen Think There
should BE a Change-ShOGId BE
shorter and should Fit the Needs
of the Twentieth Century-yiews
of several Prominent Ministers.

On the third Thursday in May.
The petition presented to the Moderator,
Rev. DR.. George p. Wilson. requesting
that special meeting be called, originated
with DR.. Teunis 5. Hamlin, pastor OF the
Church OF the Covenant, and was signed
by himself and Rev. Dr. Wallace Radcliffe.
pastor Of the New York Avenue Church
as ministers. and by two elders. Many of
the clergy and elders OF the Washington
Presbytery favor shorter creed, but
whether the Washington Presbytery as
whole will consent 10 the preparation OF
an overture OF that complexion to be re-
scented TO the General Assembly will be
determined at the meeting. after a thor
ough discussion OF the subject.
Rev DR.. Teunis S. HamIin. pastor of the
Church OF the Covenant, and the originator
OF the petition for the special meeting of
the Washington Presbytery stated today
that he designed, in the overture he wished
TO have prepared by the Washington Pres
bytery for presentation to the General AS
sembly, nothing further than request
that the Assembly take up the subject of
the need o. a shorter creed, through the
channel of its regular order OF procedure.
No recommendations as TO its character,
or for alteration or omission in the new
creed 10 be embodied in the overture,
were contemplated by him. He stated that
under the most favorable conditions a new
creed could not be adopted before 1902
If the General Assembly CT 1900 con-
sents to take up the matter" he said,
"a committee would be appointed. as the
usual course, to pass upon the need OF
new creed, and this committee would re-
port 10 the Assembly Of 1901. In the
event Of a favorable report the Assembly
Of 1901, Il il saw 1T, would select a sec
ond committee TO devise and recommend a
satisfactory creed 10 the Assembly OF
1902 This would be the earliest possible
date at which the adoption OF new creed
coJld be consummated. Opposition would
most likely defer this final action 10 q
later meeting of the Assembly"
Dr. Hamlin stated that at present the
Interpretation Of the Westminster Con
fession was left TO the individual con-
sciences Of its signatees. A most liberal
construction was now permitted.
The desire is strong among the ante-re-
vision Presbyterians 10 preserve the
Westminster Confession as the Presbyte-
rian creed for its sentimental value as a
historical document, and 70 annotate il to
meet the present needs OF the church.
much in the same way as has been done
by the Presbyterian Church OF Scotland.
Rev. Wallace Radcliffe, pastor OF the
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
said; I am in favor Of the contemplated
change in the creed He stated that the
movement Of ten years ago in favor OF a
change in the creed had not met with the
approval Of the Presbytery at that time,
and that in the discussions incident to the
heresy trial Of Or. Briggs the matter had
been allowed to rest Today he stated,
a strong sentiment in favor Of revision is
prevalent in the church, largely a senti-
mental consideration viewing the old creed
as historical document devised for the
needs Of the faith az the time Of its adop-
ton. and desiring for the present a creed
10 meet the demands of the new century.
Replying 10 an enquiry as 10 the char
acter Of the new creed. he said: The rev
creed viii have 10 be brief and evangeli-
cal, and Enthusiastically IN accord with the
Calvinistic system OF doctrine There is
no condition Of mind prevalent in the
church which would belittle OF weaken the
distinctive doctrines OF Calvinism. The
Westminster Confession was written in
the seventeenth century and for that CEN
fury In consequence, there are state
ments which. in present conditions are.
some OF them, archaic. and others quite
susceptible to misrepresentation. The new
creed viii be written for the twentieth
century and for present conditions. II VIII
adhere 70 the present definition OF the
Bible OF atOnemeut. and divine sovereign
ty- II will not have so much TO say about
the Man Of Sin. 1t will not follow out log
zeal deductions. It will be more explicit
on the doctrine of the Holy Ghost Ii will
emphasize the love OF God and give large
place TO the duty Of missions"
Rev. Asa S. Fiske, rector of Gunton Me
mortal Church, and formerly Moderator
Of the Washington Presbytery, said that
ten years ago the subject Of a new creed
had been agitsted in the General Assembly.
Fully twO-th thirds Of the Presbytery of the
country then favored a change. The creed
Cd hox in,
the views Of the extreme revisionists. and
they united with those members of the
Presbytery who were opposed to any al
teration az all in the creed. and in this
wise. the two extremes Of revisionists and
aIti-TeyisiOnists dcfSaJed the project The
heresy charges against DR.. Briggs came
up at this period, anC it was then deemed
inadvisable TO further agitate a revision
and II was allowed TO pass out of sight.
But the desire for revision has been ever
present in the minds of a large element
of the Presbyterian Church, and the time
is now considered ripe TO again agitate the
question. The Chicago Presbytery and
other Presbyteries throughout the country
have prepared overtures 10 be presented at
the session of the General Assembly in
May. and the movement will apparently
be general.
In England he stated, the free churches
the Presbyterian. the Methodist. the In
dependent. and denominations other than
the Roman Catholic and EpiscopaIian-
have ali-eeme into assent upon a new and
very good creed And in Scotland. while
the Presbyterian Church has not altered
the present creed it has explained and
annotated II in way to mitigate it severi-
ties.
In the present movement it is found de-
sirable no TO revise the present creed
which is a lengthy document and really
treatise on theology, but 70 prepare a new
creed in brief from which shall be elimi-
mated the hyper-Calvinistie character of
the present creed. There is contemplated
no revision along the lines of higher eriti-
eism. And those who defend the infalli-
bility OF the Scriptures and their absolute
authority, and those who believe in the
operations of reason as basis of faith will
unite on the proposed platform of revis-
ion.
The creed contemplated. proposes the
elimination fthe article on the reproba-
ton OF the non-elect and OF the ambiguous
statement in regard to infant election. the
adjustment Of the hyer- Calvinistic view
OF REORGANIZATION, and the assertion clear
ana positively OF the proposition Of
Gods universal love for man.
II is along the line suggested nv Dr
Parkhurst, but there is objection to The
manner rather than to the matter Of his
statements. DR.. Briggs. he stated. was
extreme Calyinistie in his view OF the
creed and opposed to alteration. He was
found unsound however in his belief In
the authority OF the Bible, and the present
agitation is not at all In accord with the
position assumed by DR.. Briggs. 81 am of
the opinion" said Mr.. Fiske. that the