The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-27
INDICATIONS POINT TO A CONSERV-
ATIVE CHANGE BY GENER-
AL ASSEMBLY
MODERATE REVISION LIKELY
DEBATE ON THE PRESBYTERIAN
CONFESSION OF PAITH TO BE
RESUMED TODAY

PHILADELPHIA, May 26.-Commis-
sioners to the general assembly again
supplied nearly all of the Presbyterian
pulpits and those of several other de-
nominations in this city and vicinity to-
day. Many persons took advantage OF
the opportunity to hear the men whose
-eloquence during the past week held the
attention of thousands in Calvary church
in discussion upon the question Of revis-
ion of the confession. The leaders of
the parties that have battled for suprem-
acy were heard in the prominent church
es. Moderator Mlnton delivered two
sermons, one in the morning In West
minister church, and-the other In the
evening in Olivet church. Methodists
and Baptists were addressed at largely
attended meeting of the Evangelistic
committee in the afternoon at Wither-
spoon hall. The meeting was held 30
that the commissioners to the general
assembly could have occasion to ask
questions with regard to the work. John
H. Convers, of this city, who has been
chairman of the committee for the past
two years, and who has been elected to
the office, for the third time presided.
Mr.. Convers gave a short history of the
meeting. In speaking of the evangelical
work in this city, he said the results
had been all that had been desired. More
meetings held in five tents in this city
last summer.
DISCUSS CREED TODAY.
Other addresses were made by George
B. Stewart, president Of Auburn semi
nary; j. Willis Baer, general secretary of
the Christian Endeavor societies, and
the Rev. Hugh K. Walker, of Los An
geles, Cal. The debate on the revision
OP he cP qoff
up the whole of three days last week,
will be resumed tomorrow morning and it
is believed some definite action will have
been taken before the general assembly
adjourns for the day.
Much comment has been made by the
commissioners over the high character
of the debate as far as it has gone There
has been a total absence Of harsh feel
ing
The question now before the assembly
is: Shall the majority report be adopted
in its entirety?' This report briefly
stated, recommends the appointment of
commission to prepare a brief sum
mary of the reformed faith, bearing the
same relation to the confession which the
shorter catechism bears to the larger
catechism and forrcst on the general
model OF the consensus creed prepared
for the assembly Of 1892 or the articles
Of faith, of the Presbyterian Church of
England. The report also recommends
this committee prepare amendments to
several chapters of the confession,
either by modification of the text or by
declaratory statement, so as more clear
ly to express the mind Of the church
The motions to dismiss the whole matter
and to strike out the recommendation
in the majority report for brief sum-
mary having been defeated the contest
| has narrowed down to q struggle between
the advocates of new creed and those
who desire only a moderate revision Of
the confession.
It is predicted with considerable show
of confidence that the moderate revision
lists will win against the new creedists
and that it will then resolve itself into q
contest over the nature Of the changes
The two votes already taken would indi-
cate that the report Of the majority
would be adopted without amendment
but If that comes about it will not be
without struggle. The moderate re-
visfonists who voted with the more ex-
treme members of the church against
dismissal will ally themselves with the
dismissalists against any radical amend
ments to the report The sentiment for
a declaratory statement for a committee
for brief summary is growing and 1t IS
thought the deciding vote may come on
those two issues
1t is not thought the assembly Will ad-
journ before Thursday The Rev DR.. W.
D. Roberts, the stated clerk. gave out
the information that there is still two
days work before the assembly after the
revision question is out Of the way. Af-
ter the present matter is disposed of the
proposition for the establishment Of ju-
dicial committee VIII hold the attention
OF the assembly. Lines are sharply drawn
on this matter and it may delay some
what the final adjournment. Quite q
number of commissioners have returned
to their homes.