Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-05-23

ST. Louis, Nav 23.--The committee
on bills ano evertares sprung a surprise
Oh the ass mbly by submitting its re-
port OH the revision of the creed of the
Presbyterian church. The committee
recommended that the whole matter be
referred 70 a committee of 10, composed
of eight ministers and seven elders, to
be appointed from the church at large
by the moderator, to consider restate-
ment of doctrine and report to the next
assembly.
1t was also recommended tkat the
different presbyteries take action ON the
matter of revision at the fall meetings
and report to the next assembly. The
report of the committee called forth
vigorous discussion.
Rev. DIR. Herrick jackson, of Chicago,
of the committee on bills and overtures,
read q report which showed that there
We're before the committee 38 different
oyertures on the general subject of
change of creed and that 100 presbyte.
ries had proposed no change of comics.
sion of faith. OF the 3S requesting the
change, one presbytery asked for re-
vision that would not impair the Calvin
lstlc system; six presbyteries were in
favor of shorter creed; three supple
mentary or fifth statement of doctrine;
eight summary of Christian doctrine;
eight others desired new creed as a
business proposition, and the nine re.
naming presbyteries suggested that the
assembly appoint committee to act and
report to the assembly.
DR.. Robert T.. Sample, chairman of
the committee ON bills and overtures,
deplored the prevalence of the idea that
change OF creed was necessary. He
admitted with regret that some state
ments relating to predestination should
be considered carefully, and declared
that through the sacrifcial blood OF
Christ infants We're saved at death. He
closed with the words: eff the creed
should be changed we would never see
its like again.
DR.. George p. Pentecost, of New
York, opposed the recommendation of
the committee. He said the church
needed no simpler statement of the main
truths that Christ taught than is ineor-
porated in the confession of faith.
Among those who advocated the rec
ommendation of the committee were
Drs. Kempshall, of Elizabeth, N. j land
Sutphan, of Cleveland DIR. William
McKibben, DR.. Graham, of Pennsylya-
MIA, and DIR. Craig spoke against the
resolution.
Inc time having arrived for the Sec
ond order OF business the assembly post
poned further discussion on revision I'M
til this afternoon.
The reading of an overture relating
TO terms OF service, duties and salary of
the stated clerk, occurred during the
session. On this overture the commit
tee recommended no action, which was
approved by the assembly. This action
sets aside the possible reduction of sal
airy of the stated clerk from $4,000 to
$1,000, as some of the commissioners de-
sired.
DIR. William McKibben, chairman of
committee on appointment OF perman
ent clerk, read the report of the com
mlttee Seven candidates were placed
IN nomination. They We're: Rev. Henry
Branch, OF the synod of Baltimore;
Rev. William B. Noble, of California:
Rev. benjamin Ell. Gemmill, of Phila-
delphia Rev. E. T. Swiggett, of Ohio:
Rev. Ralston L. Smith, of New York;
Rev. }. Fl. Miller, of Missouri, and Rev.
Q. S. Mcclellan, of Pennsylvania.
Rev. Dr. McKibben, chairman of the
judicial committee, read the report of
that committee on the McGiffert case.
The appellant was allowed to withdraw
his appeal, which settled the heresy
case.
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