Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1900-05-10
PRESBYTERIAN CREED.
Colonel McCsak Dell.ys. There should
iss No Compromise.

iis \" Compromise.
New York. May 9.--Colonel John J.
McCook. IN his address bcforc the grad.
uating class Of the Princeton Theological
college scored thosn ministers who re-
maln IN the Presbyterian church for the
"loaycs aud fishes" lIc held that the
Presbyterian church should BE- strictly
adhered 10 aud that there should be no
liberation 81 differences ot belief Such
views he denounced n illegal. immoral
aud mlschievous H. began his address
on behalf Of the board Of directors by
saying
Il wish to direct your attention ~
certain tendencies IN the Presbyterian
church. which think wcakrus It's in.
iiuence aud imrairs its usefulness.
There is the tendency to emphasize
the Presbyterian crood. We hear it
often -aid that the term Presbyterian
denotes "a certain form Of government,
but definite type 1T theology; that
Presbyterianism Is opposed chiefly td
acrcdulatism aud prelacy congregations
Alism
"wo arc told that the Presbyterian
church stands for free, scripture. con.
siitutional government. but that 70
should not be- opuhnrd within narrow
. confessional limits. Presbyterians. IL IL
said, should tolerate within their church
differences Of creed opposing views d
of tho person of Christ, ~ the atonement
and Of the holy scriptures. as well As q
the resurrection and the future state.
Bu, those who defend this position aro
far from belioving in the divine right oi
prcsbytery.
80 far, they are far from regarding
the Presbyterian polity as essential that
without hesitation they admit 20 thd
ministry men u other denominations
who have practically no conviction At
all regarding church affairs. This ten.
dcncy to which have referred Is lille.
gal. immoral and inischievous.
IL Is illegal because tho Westminster
standards form par, ~ the constitution
Of the church. Il y immoral bccauso
tho ordination vow " every Presbyto.
rian minister binds him to the accept.
ancc and defense " definite theology.
namely. the system of doctrine taught
In the holy scriptures and contained m
the confession of faith
1T - mischiuyous because Il lead
those who listen 20 such teachings from
the pulpit % distrust clergy who ig.
more their solsmn obligations. who pro
fess one doctrino wl.ilo they prcaoh and
practice another.
In many quarters IL is claimed that q
minister's piety, upright life aud GO
works should bc acloak sufficient 10 hid,
his disloyal to the standards uf doctrin,
which he has solemnly obligated himself
10 maintain. Permit me- 10 lay tha
there should not b. one code ~ moral,
for the clergy aud another for the laity
II will tell YOU what an average man
of the world ,ays when ho finds min
lister remaining In the church whil'
DENYING the articles Of its creed. II,
SAYS that such a minister remains foi
the loaves aud fishes. don't say thai
the leaves aud fishes are always Of d
pecuniary kind for the Presbyterian
name and badge are rather % be- chosei
than great riches. A Presbyterian min
lister di,loyal 10 his creed i a soldier
wearing the uniform of his country an,
fighting un the side of Us enemies
when Presbyterian doctrine Is neg
lected or attacked bv the minister, and
mongrrl Episcopalinn service accompa
mics his preaching. II Is difficult 10 ~
that there Is any great reason for thi
existence of the Presbyterian church"