The age-herald., 1900-05-06
MINISTER'S SHOULD
 NOT FIND FAULT
Dr. Curry Discusses Westmin-
 Ster Confession of Faith,
SAYS II IS SCRIPTURAL
Any Change Would Destroy the Whole Able Pastor Just Back From Mis- sionary Ecumenical Confer
 ence in New York

The Rev Dr. A. B. Curry, pastor of the
 First Presbyterian church, returned Thurs
 day night from New York where he had
 been for ten days attending the Ecumeni- cal missionary conference. The south was
 well in evidence at the conference, but the only Birmingham ministers who attended,
 besides Dr. Curry, were Presiding Elder
 John W. Newman and the Rev. S. P. West
 In conversation with an Age-Herald re-
 porter Dr. Curry expressed himself as
 highly pleased with the conference He
 enjoyed it exceedingly. All Protestant de-
 nominations were represented and the pa
 pers read and the running discussions
 touching the various phases of missionary
 work were practical and able.
 The conference was not a business body
 in the usual acceptation of the term. Not
 a resolution or motion was introduced and
 there was therefore no action of any kind
 The objects of the gathering were simply
 to present information, exchange views
 and increase the missionary zeal of Christ
 ian people. The Episcopal church was largely represented at the conference, said
 Dr. Curry, and one of the finest speakers
 present was Canon Edwards of the Church
 of England.
 Dr. Curry was particularly gratified to
 find that the methods pursued by the mis-
 sionaries in most of the Oriental fields were
 along the lines of self-supporting churches
 among the natives. In India the mission
 aries found it advisable to adhere to the
 old methods of supporting the native work
 by contributing from the missionary fund.
 But in Korea, Japan and China the natives
 took readily to the self-supporting plan.
 It gave them feeling of independence
 and greatly strengthened their character.
 pr. Curry said that the missionaries la
 boring in China made decidedly encouraging
 reports. The work of evangelization was
 going on steadily. These missionaries were
 strongly opposed to China being parcelled
 out by the powers, as had been the case
 with Africa The missionary's best hope
 was in having the Chinese nation kept in- tact
 In reply to the question as to whether he heard much talk in New York about the Northern Presbyterian church revising or abandoning the Westminster Confession of Faith pr. Curry said that while the news papers had had much to say about it. he did not think there was much ground for it. The same agitation that appeared to be going on today was only repetition of that which arose in the Presbyterian church ten years ago. Dr. Curry admitted that men outside of the Presbyterian church had a perfect right to oppose the westminster COnIeSSiOH, put IL Qlu llol HUN right or fair for ministers who were bound by it to find fault with it or to try to change that in which vast majority be- leved. If a Presbyterian minister found that he no longer approved the confession of faith of Presbyteransm, then it was an easy matter for him to withdraw and unite with some other church. Once out ne could criticise it much as he pleased Dr. Curry maintained, just as all conserv- ative Presbyterians have done, that the Westminster Confession could not be changed It presented, he said, logical, complete system of doctrine.
 Any change in any part would destroy its unity. It was like chain. Remove one link and the chain would fall apart. The Westminster Confession, Dr. Curry pointed out was Scriptural-altogether Scriptural. Those who opposed it, or favored changes in it. seemed to lose sight of that fact. Dr. Curry related this anecdote: A minister who was taking part in a discussion over certain doctrines set forth in the Presby- terian symbol earnestly urged that this or that clause be changed or omitted. Some one replied to the man by saying that the doctrine referred to was very fully and clearly stated by St. Paul. It was thought that this reminder would silence the kicker the man whose pride of opinion was up- permost-but it didn't; for he exclaimed vehemently: "Yes, but St. Paul was mis- | taken-thatS all'
 Dr. Curry while expressing his absolute confidence in the orthodoxy of the North ern church, said that body might some day adopt shorter and simpler form of confession for popular use, at the same time retaining the old Westminster symbol The Southern church continues to be eX | tremey conservative, and among its min isters there is no agitation for a change.