The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-13
TO REVISE THE FAITH.
Withdrawal of Rev. DR.. Hills Stirs
Up Presbyterian Ministers

New York. April 13-The Herald says:
Following closely upon the withdrawal
Of Rev Dr. Newell Dwight Hills from
the PreSby terlan church movement Tor
the revision of the Westminster confess
sion OF faith has taken shape, and the
indications now are that a 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 prominent in the denomina-
ton and who are usually classed among
the conservatives have joined the pro-
gressive element and a radical revision
of the articles Of faith seems to be the
only outcome of the agitation. The queS-
ton is separate and distinct from what
IS known as the higher criticism and
has already overshadowed the contro-
versy started by DR.. Briggs and con-
tinued by Prof. McGifterL Men who
stand firm as TO the inspiration of the
Bible do not hesitate TO condemn the
doctrines contained in the confession OF
faith
Rev. DR.. David Gregg. pastor of the
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian church,
Brooklyn, when he said: The Presby
terrain church needs a new and simple
creed voiced the sentiments of many
clergyInen and lay members of the
church
The Rev. DR. Parkhurst, who, like DR..
Gregg. is a conservative, Will discuss
the demand Off d revision Of the creed
at the Easter services in his church
Sunday morning. DR.. Parkhurst viii
ton, renunciation Of which led to the
/ retirement Of DR.. Hills DR.. Parkhurst
/ and, in fact, nearly every Presbyterian
/ preacher in this city, shares Dr. Hills
views so far as the doctrine Of preor-
( dination is concerned.
I do not care TO anticipate in any
/ interview what intend TO say IN my
/ church. said DR.. Parkhurst yesterday
1 THE question of the revision of the con-
! fessiou is one of great importance to
/ this church The time has now come for
/ something to be said"
According to Dr.. Gregg, two-thirds of
the Presbyterian ministers do not ae-
eept the confession of faith in its en-
| tirety and one-third have forgotten the
| dogmas and teachings of their own
creed The doctrine of reprobation.
/ which IS chiefly condemned. is contained
| in chapter Of the Westminster confess
sion and is entitled Gods Eternal De-
/ crees" The third decree Is as follows:
/ BY the decree of God, for the manifes-
! tatiOn Of His glory. some men and
angels are predestined unto everlasting
life and others are foreordained to ever
lasting death"
The Rev. DR.. Theodore L. Cuyler
former pastor of DR.. Gregg's church
I saws: There are certain parts of the
confession of faith which 1 do not be
lieve in. I do not accept the doctrine
of preter1tion, nor that referring to elect
children. It is fooEshness to suppose
that babes are going to birthstone. But
there is no need of going through tbs
confession when members are being re-
J ceived into the church.
I Rev. DR.. John F. Carson, pastor OF tbs
Central Presbyterian church, Brooklyn
saws: There is an aggressive work nov
! going on which should not be sidetTack-
| ed I accept the confession as a sys
tenn. but [ abhor some statements in it
The doctrine of Reproduction is not scrip
/ turaI"
Rev. DR.. Joseph D. Burreu of Brook
Ign. says: There is no doubt that TIT
: 80 - of the PrazhE-
terian church today desire a revision o
| the confession"