The Bowbells tribune., 1900-04-20

New York. April Is. - The Herald
says: Following closely upon the
withdrawal of Rev. Dr. Newell Dwight
Hills from the Presbyterian church, a
movement for the revision Of the West
minister Confession Of Faith has taken
shape, and the indications are now
that vigorous fight for a new creed
will be made at the meeting of the
general assembly of the church in st.
Louis next month. Ministers promi-
nent in the denomination and who are
usually classed among the conserva-
tives. have joined the progressive ele-
ment and 4 radical revision Of the
articles Of faith seem to be the only
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 who stand firm for the
respiration 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 '"rhe Presbyterian church
needs a new and simpler creed" voiced
the sentiments Of mary clergymen and
laymen Of the church.
Rev. DR.. Parkhurst, who, like DR..
Gregg, is a conservative, will discuss
the demand for a revision Of the creed
at the Easter service in his church
Sunday morning. DR.. Parkhurst will
refer mainly to the article on foreor-
dination. remuneration Of which led to
the retirement of DR.. Hills. DR.. Park
hurst. and. in fact, nearly every Pres
byteran preacher in this city, shares
DR.. Hills views so far as the doctrine
Of foreOrdination 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 be said"
According to DR.. Gregg, two-thirds
Of the Presbyterian ministers do not
accept the Confession of Faith in it's
entirety, and one-third have forgotten
the dogmas and teachings of their own
creed. The doctrine of reprobatiOn,
which is chiefly condemned, is con-
tanned in chapter 2 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 ey-
erlasting DEATH"
Rev. DR.. Theodore L. Cuyler, form
erly pastor of DR.. Gregg's church, says:
''There are certain parts Of the con-
fession of faith which do not believe
in l do not accept the doctrine Of
preterition. nor that referring to elect
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 II. Carson. pastor of
the Central Presbyterian church. Of
Brooklyn. says:
''There is an aggressive work now
going on which should not be side
tracked. accept the confession as a
system. but l abhor some statements
in it. The doctrine of reprobation is
not Scriptural."
Rev. DR.. Joseph D. Burrell Of Brook
lyn says:
'"There is no doubt that the majority
Of the members Of the Presbyterian
church desire revision of the confess
sion."