The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-02

including Cathedral canonS, some profess
sors in Oxford and one bishop, that OF
Lincoln, come out protesting against the
action of the Union to which they belong.
All reports coming to this side from Eng
| lish leaders in both Free and Established
Churches agree that matters mend by be
coming daily mere serious
There seem to be many Presbyterlans
who think their denominational formulas
should be changed. The Reformers of
1915, who framed the West, minister Con-
feSs.on Of Faith, put the emphasis upon
law. Our time puts it upon love. Twelve
years ago agitation OF the subject OF con-
1ession revision began in earnest among
Presbyterans North; those South have not
had it, and do not now express any dis
satisfaction with their doGtrinal stand
ards. A General Assembly committee was
named, and III 1882 nlade q report, IN winch
some of the more blunt assertions were
modified, among them the one about the
destruction of the heather and everybody
else who is not numbered among the elect,
allowing there to be some chance Tor IN
fants dying in infancy. etc. What might
have come from this report is uncertain
had not the Briggs controversy arose.
That absorbed attention for some years.
and was succeeded by the McGiffert diff
Guilty. The latter was no sooner out or
the way, however, than about fifteen per
cent. OIL all pfeSDyIei dShtu oosiii 1oA
creed revision, few for u new creed.
The last General Assembly, sitting in
ST. Louis in May, authorized the appoint
ment of a new committee, and that body,
after a conference at Saratoga, has issued
a circular inquiry addressed to all presby-
teries II is authorized to find out the
wish of the churches in all possible ways,
but has taken the way, first at least, OF
asking the presbyteres, at their ap-
coll To
case and report. In order to provide
basis, it has asked four questions and
made two requests. The former are,
emitting the verbiase, do you want re-
vision, do you want q supplemental anu
explanatory statement. do you want a ne"
and shorter creed, or do you want tue
whole matter Crol ped? The requests are,
If Won want revision state where and IN
what form; and if YOU want an eXplana-
tory statement, indicate what points IN the
present Confession need explaining.
One member of the Committee, the Rev
DR.. B. B. Narfield. of Princeton, declined
to serve. giving his reasons at length 10
be in effect that nothing was needed to be
done. and in his place has been named
the Rev. DR.. Henry van Dyke, also OF
Princeton but until recently pastor of the
Brick Church, New York. In the ST
Louis Assembly, the Rev. DR.. Samuel 2.
Sprecker of Cleveland, who is looked upon
as one OF the strong literal leaders, made
the staten ent that revision should not
eliminate Calvnism. Largely because OF
this ST. ternent the present committee
possesses, it is believed. the confidence
of the entire denomination. The Mode
rator and Chairman, the Rev. DR.. Z. A.
D1ckey, of Philadelphia, is 4 liberal. and
so ara the Rev Dr. Herrick Johnson. OF
Chicago and the Rev Dr. s j. Nlcco!lS.
of ST. Louis; President Stewart. of Au-
burn Seminary: President Fisher, OF Han
over College and the Rev. Dr. William
McKibbin. of Cincinnati, are conservatives.
The Rev. Dr. van Dyke represents con-
seryative seminary, but while in New
York has pronounced liberal tendencies.
Presbyteries in many parts of the coun-
trrthose that did not overture the last AS
sembly have been sounded upon the sub
iect. It is found that many of them.
probably the most of them. want some ac-
ton. In 1892 there were fousd thirty-fiye
u.esbyteries to ask for new creed. but
il is not thought probable that this num-
her is much. if any increased, There are
many CT the smaller presbvteries that
have not and will not act. Ministers in
them, as rule are said to favor some
changes. but elders and other members
do not. The opinion seems to prevail that
A. long controversy is on. with little like
fiEood Of the denomination being able to
agree upon anything. If, however, any
agreement is reached. it viii involve very
slight changes in present =doctrinal state
ments; so slight that many Will feel. II
Is predicted, that II ey were hardly worth
the years Of unrest and agitation
4