Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-04-13
Prospect for Further Fixing Up Of
Of Presbyterian Dogmas'
FIGHTING FOR A NEW CREED
Presbyterlans VINO Uphold the Bible
Condemn the Doctrines of the VEST
minister Confession Of Faith.
Afternoon Dispatches

New York, April l3.-The Herald
says
Following closely upon the with
drawal Of Rev Dr Newell Dwight
Willis from the Presbyterian church a
movement for The revision OF the West
Minister confession OF faith has taken
shape. and the indications now are that
a vigorous fight for a new creed wifi
be made at the meeting Of the general
assembly OF the church In ST. Louis
next month.
Ministers prominent IN the denomina-
tion and who are usually classed among
the conservatives have Joined the pro-
gresslye element, and a radical re-
vision Of the articles OF faith seems 20
be the only outcome of the agitation.
The question is separate and distinct
from what Is known as the higher
criticism" and has already oyershad-
owed the controversy started BY Dr.
Briggs and continued by Prof McGln-
ert Men who stand firm as 10 the
inspiration of the Bible do not hesitate
20 condemn the doctrines contained no
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
cIergymen and lay members OF the
church
The Rev. Or. Parkhurst, who, Ike
DIT. Gregg. Is a comparative, viii dis
cuss the demand for a revision Of the
creed az the easter services IN his
church Sunday morning. Or Park
hurst win refer mainly 60 the article
on pre-ordinati0n. renunciatIOu OF which
led TO the retirement of Dr. Hills. Dr.
Parkhurst and. in fact nearly every
Presbyterian preacher In this city,
shares Or. Hiuls' views go far as the
doctrine Of pre-ordluation IS con-
cerned II DO not care 10 anticipate IN
any interview what I intend 20 say in
my church" said DR. parkhurst yes
terday 1.-THE question OF the revision
Of the confession Is one OF great inn
p0rtanCe to this church. The time has
now come for something 10 be said
According TO DR. Greggs two-thirds
OF the Presbyterian ministers do not
accept the confession OF faith IN Us
entirety. and oue-thIrd have forgotten
the dogmas and teachings of their own
creed The doctrine OF Reproduction,
which IS chiefly condemned. Is con-
tanned I'm chapter TIT Of the Westmin-
ster confession and Is entitled Gods
eternal degrees" The third decree Is
as follows
by the decree of God. for the mani
festation OF His glory. some men and
angels are predestlned unto everlasting
life and others are foreordained 10 ever
lasting death
The Rev Dr. Theodore /. Cuyler,
former pastor OF Or Gregg's church,
says
There are certain parts OF the con-
fession Of faith which ] DO not believe
in ] do not accept The doctrine OF pre-
teritlon nor that referring 10 elect chill
dren 10 Is foolishness to suppose that
babes are going 10 birthstone But there
Is no need Of going through the confess
sion when members are being received
into the church.
Rev. Dr. John T. Carson. pastor OF the
Central Presbyterian church. Brooklyn
says
There Il an aggressive work now GO
ing on which should not be sijetracked.
/ accept the confession as a system
but ! abh1r some statements Ia IT, The
doctrine of Reproduction Is not scrip
tural'
Rev Dr. Joseph D. Burrell, OF Brook
lyn says:
There Is no doubt that the majority
OF the members Of the Presbyterian
church today desire a revision Of the
confession"