Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-05-22
WHAT WILL THEY DO WITH IT2

WHAT WILL THEY DO WITH III
As an indication Of the trend Of re-
llglous thought at the present time
we present the overture offered by the
Brazos Texas, Presbytery 10 the South
ern General Assembly at Atlanta
Georgia, on Monday. II Is that the
assembly be permitted to vote on the
following amendment to the Confession
Of Faith:
"All dying In infancy are elect in
fants and are regenerated."
It win be remembered by our readers
that this subject was vigorously treat
ed by several noted New York Presby-
terrain preachers, In recent Sunday
sermons. They denounced as "a libel
on the infinite grace Of God, that part
Of the creed OF their church which in
Inmates that babes may be destined
70 hell" Or. Parkhurst stated that It
was In the third chapter Of the Presby-
terrain Confession Of Faith that, per
haps the babe at your bosom is damned,
already damned before It was born,
damned from everlasting 10 everlast-
ing
The introduction OF this subject will
no doubt be the cause Of much discus
sion. Presbyterian ministers are wide
iy divided in their views concerning IT,
While many OF them repudlate the hor-
rible doctrine that the infinitely just
and merciful God would create infants
and doom them 20 eternal damnation
In endless torment, and others doubt It's
truth, there are quite a number who
object to any meddling with the Con-
fession Of Faith. which has for so long a
time been received as the standard Of
Presbyteranlsm. And the most
thoughtful among them perceive the
dlscredlt that must come on the entire
document, by admitting that part Of it
is not only false but absolutely diaboli-
cal.
The wording Of the proposed amend
ment too. is faulty and implies an alb
surdity. II infants who die are ire
generated" what about those who live2
What is the age al which a babe be-
comes unregenerate? Does death IT.
self regenerate an infant? II not, BY
what process Is Il regenerated? The
doctrine held by that church Is. that
ell children are born in sin and inherit
.he depraylty that comes Of the fall"
II that is true, In what way are they
delivered from that faint. and should
a living infant be regarded as worthy
OF Gods wrath and damnatlon," and
dead infant as ELECT and regener-
ated?"
II is gratifying, however, TO see the
disposition increasing among the sects,
90 cast aside some OF the vagarles that
men have introduced for Christian doc
trlne The influence Of the Gospel, re-
stored to earth through the Prophet
Joseph Smith. Is having It's designed
effect on the religious thought OF the
age. 1t is seen IN many ways and IS
working like the leaven In the meal
Nearly seventy years ago the Lord re-
vealed through that Prophet:
But behold I say unto you. that little
children are redeemed from the founda-
tlon OF the world through mine Only
Begotten.
Wherefore they cannot sin, for pow
or is not given unto Satan 10 tempt lit
tie children until they begin TO become
accountable before me- Doc. and Cow,
p. l47.
How much more Christ-llke, and con-
sistent with the recognized attributes Of
Deity, Is that doctrine than the doubt
ful theories Of infant Regeneration, 9"
involved In baby baptism and other hui
man theological inventions. to say MOTH
ing Of the blasphemous and revolving
idea OF elect Infants" and infant
damnation."
We are anxious 10 see what the Pres
byterlan assembly win do with the
proposition 20 reform It's creed. II the
overture IL refused. Il win surely create
a schism Of menaclng propositions. and
u radical change Is effected. It win be
a tacit admission that It Is tainted with
error and II wrong In one thing may be
wrong IN many Others and is, anyhow,
a man.made form and not Of God nor to
be regarded as anything but blind
guide"
Since the foregoing was put IN type
a dispatch from ST. Louis has brought
Information that the question Of
change in the creed has been submitted
TO committee who will report probab-
~ next year Meanwhile the subject
win be agitated among the Presbyteri-
an clergy. Let us hope It win cause
light to illuminate fhatr dqvlnfee