New-York tribune., 1900-05-24
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.
NrCIFFERT CASE DISPOSED OF FINALLY
GREED REVISION ORDERED AFTER
STIRRING DEBATE-PERMA-
NENT CLERK CHOSEN.
Tpr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

oos xss practically although not authori, ativeIy
ss-ad a permanent clerk elected and the
resident Of Union Theological Seminary made
[.,endid report in favor of Board OF Foreign
missions That this rote of cheer going out through
the Presbyterian Church tonight will disarm criti-
cssru restore confidence and lead X 10 renewed
tiytty on the part OF its members was the earnest
prayer Of the entire Assembly as its members dis
persed at the close Of an intensely interesting
sion.
Sleep did much for two Of the causes left unfn-
Ished yesterday afternoon-revison and the Birch
appeal. DR.. Birch left the platform on Tuesday
inttrr ating that he would drop the McGifert
case unless a judicial commission were appointed
TO issue fl and dispose Of il in maner salts
factory his counsel and himself. The night Of
rest found him more ready TO yield to the advice
% his friends. in the morning he wrote a
letter 10 DR. McKibbn, who was at his side and
could have been reached by word of mouth. ex-
planning that he taken by surprise the previous
Gay. thinking that the report of the Judicial
Committee to up soon, and that In
substitution for the statement made by him as ap-
peIlant he wished TO make another, and did so IN
these words:
In view of the action Of the Judicial Committee
and its adoption by the General Assembly, desire
not to prosecute the appeal further.
Applause greeted this statement, as it did also
sJill heartily this resolution read by DR.. Nc
Hibbin from his committee:
Resolved, That the the ztatemept fs now made by the
stituted for that made by him yesterday with the
fo.Gwing @ aaaona+ bon minute n SeE4iTed' ;r Inah Ine
ciosed ed''e" anu ''A' the case Os anu : eeO'
Dr. Birch is perfectly satisfied with the action of
the Assembly. which some of his friends say
done not in his interest but in the interest OF the
body itself. which had committed a blunder by its
action the first day. The feeling is not wide
spread. however. that the Assembly bundered, and
all concerned grateful that peace reigns again
IN the Presbytery of New-York.
CREED REVISION DEBATED.
The debate on the revision question to-day
broader lines than the discussion yesterday Then
the Moderator held the speakers rigidy to the last
amendment before the house and prevented the
slightest reference 10 the merits Of revision. To-
day, with two amendments before the body he al
lowed the widest latitude possible and the second
amendment. naming committee, but limi-Sg its
operations to the twenty-eight overtures sent
by the presbyteTIes eight years ago, and the
amendment dropping the whole question. and the
report commencing committee to formulate
plan Of revision based upon the information which
the presbyteries invited to give, well as
the merits and defects OF the Confession of Faith
itself. and the creed which some propose.
ell taken up in the hour allowed by vote for the
discussion
The first speaker this afternoon was the Rev. DR..
E. Trumbull Lee of Cincinnati. who offered the
second amendment relative to the old revision
ture. DR.. Lee denied the charge made by the m
Der Of the Presbytery of Cleveland yesterday. DR..
Paul E. Sutphen, that ministers were insincere in
DR. sutphen. he said. wished TO answer for him
self he could do so, but he did want the
charge OF lack Of veracity resting upon him. A
member named Steele from the Presbytery Of East
Oregon, said that the Confession Of Faith had
nothing whatever TO do with his veracity hon
esty. He thought it of time stop
The machinery OF the Church take up matters
considered dead.
DR.. James J. Bolton. Of Philadelphia, spoke in
strong terms against the substitute dropping the
matter, offered by the Rev. John Graham, of his
pTesbytery. yesterday. In fact, personal feeling
ran high for some time. from the same
presbyteries synods replied to the statements
made by commissioners with whom they are
accustomed 10 associate.
DR.. Bolton favored the report Of the Committee
o. Bills and Overtures, not the Philadelphia sub
stitute the from Ohio. Due deliberation
and careful consideration had been given by the
committee, he said and its fifteen members were
better qualified than any individual to outline
plan Of action for the Assembly. He then analyzed
what the committee offered, and concluded that it
the very best possible thing. The committee
does not suggest a revision of the standards, but
simply the appointment of committee for
Epltation. he added. His conclusion that the
Assembly could not afford TO refuse the demand
from the presbyteries for conference.
ARGUED AGAINST ANY CHANGE.
The Rev A. /. Latham. the next speaker. was
also from Philadelphia but his speech not
cepted in the same temper by the Assembly that
DR. Bottoms received in. He had an analysis
80 offer also. but II had 10 co with the source OF
the overtures asking for credal changes. and not
with the report favoring them He declared with
great emphasis that the demand was not from the
heart of the Church; the people did not demand
any change in the Confession of Faith
. After all the agitation which had been aroused
o. the question he said there only thirty
eeven presbyteries in line and the line was irreg-
ular. AS Illustration OF this statement he in
Etanced the case Of the Lima Presbytery, where at
the close CT meeting with only seven or eight
people present, the overture was brought up. Five
members voted for It and two or three against it,
and this presbytery Is ranged alongside of those
demanding a new creed a summary of Presby-
terian doctrine. This. he said, manifestly un-
fair. About the same thing was done in the Pres
bytery Of Philadelphia When the overture was
introduced, the hour Of adjournment. 1t was
voted down, sixty-fye declaring that they wished
no revision and tinkeTing with the creed. The
negative vote was twenty-six The speaker at
uibuted the agitation to Drs. Parkhurst and Hills
describing the preaching of the former
flonaAsm ana that of the latter as vagaries. He
oio not believe that the Assembly Should be moved
by pyrotechnics.
Dr Dickey explained from the chair that the
Fhliadelphia Presbytery simply decided hold its
tongue. leaving the Assembly free to exercise its
own prerogauves in the matter
By almost unanimous vote the report Of the
committee on Bills and Overtures providing for
committee Of fifteen inquire Of the Presby-
teiles their views as TO the revision of the Con-
tesslon Of Faith. was adopted. This committee will
report at the General Assembly in 1901
Tie Rev. Charles A. Dickey Moderator of the
Assembly, was appointed chairman Of the commit
tee The other members will be appointed later
The Assembly then took up the matter Of ap-
pointing permanent clerk 10 succeed the Rev
Ut W. Z. Moore, deceased. Drs Ralston Smith
of the Synod Of New-York: Henry Branch Of the
Synod Of Baltimore; Benjamin Mckee Gemmill of
PENNSYLVANIA.