Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-04-26
THE CONFESSION OF FAITH
Presbyterian Clergymen Here
Do Not Urge Revision.
SOME SUGGEST SHORT CREED
In Which Fundamental Princi-
Piles Are Set Forth.
DIR. Keigwin Sees No Necessity for New
Creed--Dr. Mccurdy Fayors Explanatory
statenent-simiiar Views of the Revs.
Messrs. Lewis and Schali.

Creeu--Dr. McGurdr EavOrS Explanatory
Statement similar Views of the Revs.
Messrs. Lewis and Scitall.
The General Assembly of the Presby-
terian Church, at its meeting in st.
Louis next month, will receive over
lures from % or 30 presbyteries who
ask for a short creed expressing the
Fundamentals of the faith.
| At the recent session OF the Presby-
| terry OF New Castle in Smyrna. the Rev.
B. Turner of Dover presented reso-
luton to overture tho General Assem-
| bly, TO formulate short statement OF
the Confession OF Faith, but the reso-
| luton was laid on the table. The com
mssiorers from this presbytery to the
General Assembly are the Rev. r. A.
Dawson, tho Rev. W. II. Logan. D. D.. 4,
NJ. Martin As the presbytery laid the
Turner resolution on the table, these
| commissioners are at liberty, it would
seem. to act as if uLinstructed, when
the General Assembly considers tho
overtures of the preshyteries who de-
| sire n short form. The fact that the
resolution, which was of mild nature,
| was laid on tho table. is an indication
| that New Castle Presbytery would
strenuously oppose the proposition 10
alter tho Confession OF Faith.
That confession is based upon the
| SOY ereignty of God in salvation. Those
who desire u change wish TO EMPHASIZE
the ability of men in his own behalf in
the matter OF salvation. There are very
| few Presbyterian ministers who do not
heartily believe in the substance OF
| doctrine as taught in the confession as
1t stands. 1t is held, indeed, that the
Galtinists in all denominations arc 20
times as numerous as non Oalyinists.
The views of some of the local Pres
hyterian clergymen On the subject oil
the proposed revision of the confession,
shows that they generally favor its
being allowed to remain untouched yet
that several of them believe it would
be advisable 10 prepare short declara,
| tion of the main elements of the faith.
When the Rev. A.. N. Keigwin, ID.
D., pastor of West Church, was asked
his opinion on the subject, he replied
that he had discussed tie proposition
in his morning sermon on Sunday and
had taken the ground that this was moi
a theological age and there was no one
capable to express creed.
Il don't think there il any necessity
for new creed" said the doctor. "l1
is an unnecessary agitation of the
church that would require years, and
would hinder the work CT the church. -
The Rev. 4. A. McCurdy, ID. d.,
pastor of Central Church, said: "As tc
revision of the Confession of Faith
my opinion is that it is neither wise
nor necessary under existing circum.
stances. Ii is my opinion that an Ok.
4 f1la 1fan. ,tn - D.. Il -.
would find more favor in the church nj
large than any proposition of revision. -
The Rev. William Frederick Lewis,
pastor of Rodney Street Church, said
II believe that the Confession oi
Faith is a monument to the time in
which it was framed: but l believe
we ought to have u simple working creed
Of the fundamentals of our faith. The
times and the age demand it,
The Rev. William Main Schall, pastor
of First Church, said:
| " think it would BIO proper thing
to have condensed statement of the
fundamental principles of our faith.
Anything voluminous is likely to be
mysterious to the great mass OF the
people, and therefore brief statement
would be desirable. For instance ths
Apostles Greed, in II sentences covers
the Bible from Genesis to Revelation,
and SO few brief declarations NIGH
be agreed upon by the General Assem-,
bly, to tho advantage or instruction oil
those holding 10 the Presby teriar
faith"
In discussing the point that opinion:
differ as to the Confession of Faith,
Mr.. Schall said that there are Methodist
and Baptist and Episcopal clergymer
who are not entirely in agreement with
the views of their respective churches
on certain lines, and yet this does moi
inyalidate their integrity as uprigh
and worthy representatives of their re-
spective churches.
The Rev. +. Cornwell Jennings o
Hanover Church thus expressed hi
views: II would not care for them tt
revise the old Confession, but woule
favor the adoption of short working
creed, similar 10 the Presbyterian
Church of England.