The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-08
WANT No CHANGE
MADE IN CREED.
Southern Presbyterian Church OPP
posed to Move.
WHAT CONFESSION .PRESCRIBEs.
Rev. Robert p Kerr, ID. d., Talks Of
the Plans That Arc Advoca-
ted by Various
Factions.
WHAT CONFESSION .PRESCRIBEs

Just what effect the proposed REVISION
of Presbyterian creed will nave upon the
church in America and especially upon
the Presbyterian Church South, Is caus-
ing much conjecture. Rev. Robert 2.
Kerr, D. D., pastor of the First Presby-
terrain Church of this city, was asked
for expression OF opinion on the cur
rent discussion in the presbyterian
Church as to a revision of the Presby-
terrain creed, DR.. Kerr SAID:
The creed of the Presbyterlans in all
Anglo-Saxon countries is the Westminster
Confession Of Faith, which was framed
by an assembly of Scotch and EnSilsh d.
vines sitting in Westminster Abbey, Lon
don, with certain interInissions from 1913
to 1913. 1t consists of the Confession OF
Faith proper and the larger and shorter
catechlsms, and is considered the most
logical and elaborate statement oil Cal
whistle doctrine ever made. Ihls docu-
ment, while teaching the doctrine OF the
free agency of man. sets forth also that
doctrine of divine foreordination, stating
that God from all eternity has foreor-
dained Whatsoever comes to pass. Yet 50
as thereby neither is God the author of
sin; nor is violence offered to the will
Of the creatures. nor is the liberty or con-
tingency of second causes taken away.
out rather established. This quotation
from the document Itself may be called
the essence of Presbyterianis,n IN the
o. the doctrine OF the divine
records. certain statements are matte in
the confession which some consider too
severe, and it is claimed by some that
certain passages are not clear
In the Northern Presbyterian Church
the General Assembly last May. in COM
pliance with q number OF requests from
lower courts. appointed a committee to
consider the question as to whether 1t
may be advisable 20 revise the Confess
sion by making certain changes III phrase
oogy not affecting the doctrine: or to
displace the Old creed by the preparation
Of new one: or to add a brief creed
for popular use. The Presbyteries were
ordered to express their opinion as to
which of these plans should be adopted
or whether any change should De made
and to send statements of their wishes
to the committee. This has been done
and the committee held its meeting in
Washington last week. From the action
Of the Prcsbyterjes it seems that ma
jority favor some change. but there Is
not majority in favor Of any noo ~ re
plans proposed. The committee is ex-
pected. after considering the "l.U.e n.u.-
ter. 10 make recommendation as TO what
is the wisest course to pursue, 10 the
next General Assembly, to meet in May,
1901.
OPPOSE THE STEP.
The overwhelming majority OF the Pres
byterian Church, North. are opposed to
any change of doctrine, but a considerable
minority do not accept the Caivinistic
system. 1t seems probable that some
changes will be made explaining ambi-
guties and smoothing down hard points
One Of the arguments used by those
opposed to any change is that it would
probably render the reunion OF the North
ern and Southern branches OF the Churcn
more difficult as the Southern Church
is opposed to any change N the Confession.
There are many men Of influence in the
ItJuthern Church who are opposed to-
revision at present. ineXpedient. VINO
would be glad if certain passages in the
Confession were worded differently. but
who shrink from making any change in
a document that is so historic. and that
constitutes the bond OF doctrinal unity
for all English-speaking Presbyterians
To show how conservative the Southern
Church is it may be stated that last
spring the Southern General Assembly
in answer TO an overture, declared that
the Confession does not teach the damna-
ton of infants dying in infancy, of which
the Confession had been accused, and
this denial was ordered printed as
Goot-ntIe in the Confession of Faith
Rut such an outcry against this action
has been raised in the Church that it
is probable the next General Assembly
will order this foot-note stricken out.
1t arises from a deep reverence for the
historic document and an unwillingness
that it shall be changed in any particular,
even by the insertion of a foot-note.
1t is. also, denied that the Assembly
has authority to take such action With
out the consent of the presbyteries. All
the Presbyterian ministers iii the South
deny that the Confession teaches the
damnation of infants, and no Presbyterian
believes any such doctrine. but the con-
trary-that all Infants dying in infancy
are saved.
All Christians will watch with interest
the progress of this discussion in the
Presbyterian Church, North and South.
for the Presbyterian Church is recognized
as one of the most conservative and
evangelical of all Protestant bodies. and
among their ministers and laymen are
found many of the leading thinkers and
writer's OF the day.