The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-27
DIR. Mckibben and Judge Humphrey
Opposed to Preparation Of
Summary of Faith.
DESIRE OF THE PRESBYTERIES
is NOT To DESTROY THE PRESENT
CONFESSION OF FAITH,
But to Interpret 1t i'm Harmony with
Scripture, Especially i'm Relation
to Damnation of Infants.

PITTSBURG. April 26.-Harmonious ac-
tion taken by the committee on re-
vision of the creed of the Presbyterian
Church at its sessions to-day at the Monon-
gahela House and unanimous report form
ulated late in the afternoon for submission
to the General Assembly, which will meet
at Philadelphia May 16 Rev. Dr. Henry
Van Dyke. of Princeton University, when
giving out the report said: ''The action
taken cannot be emphasized too strongly.
for ii will have to endure comment and
criticism in every Presbyterian home and
community in the United States. Ten MEM
bers signed ii, and we are assured that
every one of the other four will attach his
signature. 1t was the full committee that
met and not a subcommittee. Prof. Will
liam r. Crabbe of your city, was prevented
by illness from being present. Former
President Benjamin Harrison is dead and
that leaves Rev. DR.. Samuel j. Niccol, of
ST. Louis, and Elders John NJ. Harlan, as
socate Justice of the United States Su-
preme Court, John E. Parsons and Daniel
p Noyes. of ST. Paul, to sign. This report
was unanimously adopted with the excep-
tion OF recommendation B. against which
Rev. DR.. William McKibben and Judge E.
c. Humphrey voted
The report as it will be presented to the
General Assembly follows:
your committee finds on examination
of the returns from the presbyterfeS the
following facts:
"First-That the returns indicate that the
church desires some change in its credal
statement.
.'Second-That the returns indicate that
no change is desired which would in any
way impair the integrity, of the system of
doctrine contained in the Confession of
Faith.
the mind of the church that the confession
shall be interpreted throughout in harmony
with the teaching of Scripture that God
is not willing that any one should perish,
nor is it the decree of God but the wicked
ness of their own hearts which shuts some
men out from the salvation freely and low
ingly offered in Christ Jesus TO all sinners
"Fourth-These returns indicate that
plurality of the presbyteries desired that
changes should be made by some new state
ment of present doctrines.
'Fifth-The returns also indicate de-
sire on the part of many presbyteries Tor
some revision of the present confession,
and especially in Chapter 3, Chapter ~,
Section 5. Chapter Is. Section Z, Chapter =,
Section 3. Chapter %, Section o. with aoul.
tional statement concerning the love or
God for all men, missions and the Holy
Spirit.
"(a)-In view of these facts we recon-
mend that a committee as PROVIDED Dy the
form of government (Chapter %, Section
81 be appointed by this assembly.
"(b)-We recommend that the committee
be instructed TO prepare nrlet summary
of the reformed faith bearing the same
relation to the confession which the shorter
| catechism bears to the larger catecmsm,
| and formed on the general model or the
| consensus creed prepared for the assembly
| of 1892 or the articles of faith OF the Pres
| byterian Church of England. both OF which
| documents are appended to the commit
| tees report and submitted 10 the assembly
| to be referred to the committee that may
| be appointed. This summary Is not 10 De
| substitute for the confession ana Is not 10
| affect the terms of subscription, put 10
yindicate and clear the doctrines OF the
church from all false aspersions and mis-
conceptions to give better understanding
| of what is most surely believed among US,
and is in no sense TO impair put rather 10 20
| manifest and maintain the integrity of the
| reformed faith. " -.
| "(c)-We further recommend that TINS
| committee be instructed to prepare amend
| ments of Chapter 3, Chapter 10. Section 3,
| and Chapter 16. Section I, Chapter Y, Sec
/ tion g and Chapter g. Section or our Con-
| fession of Faith either by modincation OF
the text or by declaratory s.atemen, n,S go ,h az
| church. with additional statements con-
| cerning the love of God for all men. mis-
| sions and the Holy Spirit. 1T being under
! stood that the revision shall In no way
| impair the integrity OF the system of doc,
| trines set forth In our confession aid
taught in the Holy Scriptures.
| The report is a compromise to satisfy
| the two great classes of opinion among
| the presbyteries. A large number wish
| the reinstatement of the creed and 9TH
| ers wish a revision OF the whoie. Ihe
| question of foreordination and predestina-
| tion is treated Of In Chapter ana the
| committee recommends that these subjects
| be amended by committee 10 De appoint
| ed nv the General Assembly.