The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-19
ADJUSTMENTS TODAY.
SEATTLE, SATURDAY, MAY 10.
The Presbyterians.

ne ktutIdi dHSciIlDty thc "a
Presby terrain churches has opened its
two weeks session in the city of st.
Louis. A like assembly OF the South
ern Presbyterians is also in session at
Atlanta. The question OF union OF
the two branches of the church may
come up before both assemblies. but 1t
Is doubtful II any important action is
taken by either. In the past the repre-
sentatives OF the Northern churches
have made overtures for union of the
two wings OF Presbyterlanism. But these
overtures have invariably been reject
ed: and az there are many points of
dissimiiarity between the two organiza-
tons that could be adjusted only after
careful elaboration and long discussion,
there seems little likelihood that the
two assemblies VIII be brought together.
at least for some years. The Presby-
terians are one of the rich and strong
denominations OF the land At the last
general assembly It's strength in the
North was shown to be as follows:
synods. 80; presbyteries. 2s2: ministers.
7.si2: elders, 2s.252; deacons. s.s47: com
municants. sss.so7: Sunday school mem
bcrship. i,o2e.e2s annual contributions.
sis.TT7.T7.
Although there are several important
xot x..ht ch T..
would like TO see taken up and settled,
it is possible that the present assembly
viii be strictly a business one, devoid
Of any sensational features such as
might distinguish II IL some OF the more
advanced thinkers of the church were
to have their way. The McGifrert case
win come up on an appeal from the ae-
ton OF the New York presbytery In
dropping the case at time when II Is
held IT should have had further consid-
GRAFTON. ana there viii be a final re-
port In the case of DR.. Hills. who re-
Gently withdrew from the church. 1t
Is not likely. however. that any serious
dlssension will arise from a discussion
OF these matters.
IL Is certain that a revision OF the
creed will be proposed This Is a mat
ter OF vital importance upon which
there have been some very pronounced
utterances during the pas; few months;
but the opinion seems TO prevail that
the church will adhere to existing doe
trlnes and laws, and that the time has
not yet come for some OF the radical
changes that have been proposed II Is
expected that at least twenty preshy-
terles win petition for consideration of
creed revision, and there are two ele-
ments anxious for the innovations. One
desires that only such changes should
be made ss win make that instrument
more IN harmony with modern thought.
The term infants elect and some ref.
crenee made to the pope. applicable TO
CAlvlnism 400 years age. Il Is thought.
could be eliminated from the creed now
NANASNA NaAkh 70 tAN 0hlENh Inc sec
ond element desires what Il terms a
popular creed" something that would
do away with all Of the essentials 81
the present articles OF faith and sabsti-
tate new and simple creed more IN
keeping with the religious spirit Of the
present axe.
The anti-revisionIsts are in the major
ity. They believe that what has been
sood enough Tor the church In the past
Is good enough for the church In the
faturs ana they will object ssoutly 20
any assault uPon the oid-tlme doctrines.
As ons Presbyterian minister recently
put IL The Seatch-Irish Of the church
was never more determined to adhere
to thu existing doctrines OF the church
than at the present time. and this de-
termination Is upheld not only by the
seniors OF the church. but also by the
Young within its fold.a The prssens