Evening star., 1900-12-05
THE CONFESSION OF FATH-
PREsBYTERIAN DIvINEs
AND ELDERS IN CONFERENCE.
Report to General Assembly Will
Probably Recommend Postpone
ment of Revision Subject.

Fresbyterians have long been discussing
the proprety of making some changes in
the confession of the faith which would
without affecting the solemnity or princi-
pies of this solemn foundation of that re-
lig,ous belief, broaden it's scope and permit
a wider acceptance of it's Intentions In
view of this somewhat general desire, the
general assembly, at its last meeting, de-
termined to ascertain the views of the
various presbyterics upon the all-importaat
subject, and to accomplish this purpose
created a committee consisting OF nine
divines and seven elders to formulate
series of inquiries, submit them to the
presby byteries, when in turn were to ascer-
tain the wishes of the churches comprising
each, and after receiving replies prepare a
report for the consideration of the gem
eral assembly in 1901. The committee Sc
lectcd is composed of the Rev. DrS Charles
A. Dickey, chairman: Herrick johnson,
Samuel J. Nicolls, Daniel w. Fisher s. W.
Dana. William McKibbin, George b. Stew
art, Samuel p. Spaecher and Henry Van
Dyke and eX-PrCsidont Benjamin Harrison,
Justice John NJ. Harlan. Daniel r. Noyes,
f. W. c. Humphrey. William r. Crabbe.
John T.. Parsons and Elisha A. Fraser.
With Rev. DR.. VILLAIN Henry Roberts of
Philadelphia. stated clerk # the general as
semby. secretary, all the members. ex-
cept DIR. Dana. who is in Europe met in
initial session last night IN the red parlor of
the fDDttt ItOuSE, ana UellDtTdteu lOT three
hours.
Questions PrOpOunded.
Chairman Dickey stated that circulars
had been sent to the 2:a2 presbyteries of the
country, asking them to take action in the
matter Of revision by replying to the fol-
lowing uestions:
First, do you desire revision Of our
confession Of faith? or. second. do you de-
sire supplemental. explanatory state
i'll Il a TO
ment our present doctrinal standards with
a briefer statement of the doctrines most
surely believed by us, expressing in simple
language the faith Of the church in loyalty
to the system of doctrine contained in the
Holy Scriptures and held by the reformed
churches? or, fourth do YOU desire the dis
missal of the whole subject so that our
doctrinal standards shall remain as they
are. without any change whatever, whether
revisional, supplemental or subStitutonal?'
The presbyteres were requested. If their
preference was for revisiOnal action. to
state in what direction and to what extent
they would have revision undertaken. and
if their preference was for explanatory
statement to indicate what specific points
in the confession the explanation should
cover.
Replies of Presbyterics.
DR.. Roberts then submitted to the COM
mittee the vote Of the presbyterieS on the
questions submitted, which was as follows:
For revision Of the confession, A; for an
explanatory statement, 10; for revision OF
confession and an explanatory statement.
/ for supplemental statement of doctrine,
A.: for revision and a supplemental state
ment of doctrine. IA; for an explanatory
statement and supplemental statement. l:
for a substitute creed, 10; for an alterna-
tive creed, I; for some change, &: negative
vote on all four questions, 4; indecisive vote
! fer dismissal of the whole subject 40;
presbyteries in the United States not re-
porting, 2l presbyteries in foreign lands
not reporting 81 Total, 232
After receiving the report the committee
indulged in a general discussion and ad-
journed until this morning at 10 O'Clock
when 1t reconvened at the New York Ave-
nue. Presbyterian Church
\ great many persons who had been mis-
led by statement published this morning
that the committees session would he pub
lie visited the church. and considerable
Inconvenience was caused by frequent in
terruptions on this account, the meeting be-
ing executive.
Probable Outcome of Mectfnr
Discussion of the replies received took up
the morning, and it is understood that there
was an inclination shown by a majority OF
those present 10 recommend to the general
assembly postponement of any action re-
garding the confession of faith until a later
period, when there may be a greater unan-
unity among presbyteries upon the charac-
ter OF the changes, If any that a revision,
would bring ABOUT. Ii is probable that two
reports will be made, and it is expected the
committee will conclude its meeting this
afternoon AT recess group picture of
the committeeman was taken outside the
church neaE,he III street entrance The
members WIZ call on President Mckinley
al O'Clock this afternoon.