Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-04-19

New York, April Is. - The Herald
says: Following closely upon the
withdrawal of Rev. Dr.. Newell Dwight
Hills from the Presbyterian church, 4
movement for the revision of the West
minister Confession of Faith has taken
shape, and the indications are now
that Il vigorous fight for new creed
will be made at tie meeting of the
general assembly of the church in ST.
Louis next month. Ministers promi-
nent in the Demonstration and who are
usually classcd among the conserva-
ment and Il radical revision Of the
outcome of the agitation.
The question is separate and distinct
from. what is known as the 'higher
criticism.' and has already overshad-
owed the controversy started by DR..
Briggs and continued by Prof Nc
Giffert. Men VINO stand firm for the
Inspiration OF the Bible do not hesitate
to condemn the articles of the Con-
fession of Faith Rev. DR.. David
Gregg. pastor of the Lafayette Avenue
Presbyterian church. Brooklyn, when
he said 1.-The Presbyterian church
needs Il new and simpler creed voiced
the sentiments OF maEy clergymen and
laymen Of tbs church.
Rev. DR.. parkhurst, who. like Dr..
Gregg, is a conservative will discuss
the demand ior a revision of the creed
at the East<:E service in his church
Sunday morning. Dr. i;arkhurst will
refer mainly to the article Oh foreor-
dination. remuneration of which led to
the retirement Of DR.. Hills. DR.. Park
hurst. and, i'll fact. nearly every Pres
byterian preacher in this city, shares
DR.. Hills views so far as the doctrine
of Denomination is concerned.
II do not care to anticipate in any
interview what intend to say in my
church." said Dr.. Parkhurst. THE
question of revision of the confession
is one Of great Importance to this
church. The time has now come for
son ething to De said"
According to DR.. Gregg, two-thirds
Of the Presbyterian ministers do not
accept the Confession of Faith in its
entirety. and one-third have forgotten
the dogmas and teachings of their own
creed. The doctrine of reprobaton,
which is chiefly condemned. is con-
tanned in chapter Of the Westminster
Confession, and is entitled Goods
Eternal Decrees'' The third decree is
as follows:
''By the decree of Gcd for the mani.
festation of his glory, some men and
angels are predestined unto everlasting
life and others are foreordained to ev
erlasting DEATH
Rev. DR.. Theodore L. Cuyler, form
erly pastor of DR.. Greggs church, says
'.There are certain parts Of the con
fession of faith which 1 do not believe
in l do not accept the doctrine OF
preterition, nor that referring to elec1
children. 1t is foolishness to suppose
that babies are going to birthstone
But there is no need Of going through
the confession when members are be-
ing received into the church,
Rev. DR.. John f. Carson, pastor OF
the Central Presbyterian church, OF
Brooklyn, says:
''There is an aggressive work now
going on which should not be side
tracked. I accept the confession as
system. but ] abhor some statements
in it. The doctrine Of Reproduction is
not Scriptural.'
Rev. DR.. Joseph D. Burrell Of Brook
Ign says:
:'There is no doubt that the majorit!
of the members of the Presbyterian
church desire revision of the comics
Sion."