The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-28
Committee VIII Prepare N Brief state
ment of the Reformed Faith for
Next AssembIy's Action.
NO RADICAL CHANGE IN CREED
AMENDMENTS TO FIVE CHAPTERS
WILL BE PREPARED.
Next General Assembly 10 Re Held IN
the Fifth-Avenue Presbyter-
ian Church, New York.

PHILADELPHIA, May 21-The Prcshv-
terian General Assembly to-day adopted the
recommendations Of the creed revision
committees report. after amending them.
and decided to hold the Assembly next year
in the Fifth-avenue Presbyterian Church,
New Ycik. Los Angeles was recommended
as the place OF meeting in 1903
To Rev. Or. James ID. Moffatt is due the
credit OF having brought the commissioners
TO harmonious conclusion. When Recom-
mendation was on Saturday adopted by
comparatively small majority DIR. Moffatt
announced that in view OF the divergency
of opinion he would to-day offer an amend
ment which he hoped would meet with the
approval of the entire assembly. When ne
presented this amendment to-day IL was
instantly accepted by the commissioners.
and the adoption Of the report as a whole
followed with but little delay. A viva vocs
vote was taken, and when 640 ayes re-
sponded to the question the commissioners
arose and sang Praise God, from Whom
all Blessings Flow" which was followed
by prayer of thanksgiving by Moderator
Minton.
In commenting on the action OF the As
sembly on the question of revision Modera-
tor Minton said: 1.-The discussion has de-
veloped and displayed far more clearly
the agreement OF the whole Assembly upon
the question OF revision than any division
or discord. The decision reached is a VIC
tory for no one. but for ALL"
Rev. Dr. Charles A. Dickey, chairman OF
the committee on revision. said. The
church may expect peace and progress
during the coming year. The action of the
Assembly manifested mutual confidence.
Without dissent the Assembly determined
to go forward and distinctly marked out the
way for the forward movement"
THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
The creed recommendations as adopted By
the Assembly follow:
Awe recommend that a committee az
provided for by the form of government
Assembly.
"B-We recommend that this committee
be instructed TO prepare and submit TO the
next General Assembly for such DISPOSE
ton as may be judged TO be wise a brief
statement of the reformed faith. expressed
as far as possible in untechnical terms. The
said statement Is to be prepared with a
view TO its being employed to give informa-
tiOn and a better understanding OF our
doctrinal beliefs and not with a view 10
its becoming a substitute for or an alterna-
tive of our Confession Of Faith.
"C-We further recommend that this
committee be instructed TO prepare amend
ments OF Chapter 3: Chapter 10. Section ,:
Chapter Is. Section Z; Chapter p. Section
3. and Chapter -, Section 8, OF our Con-
fession of Faith either by modification OF
the text by decaratory statement. but
so far as possible by declaratory statement
so TO more clearly express the mind OF
the church. with additional statements con-
cerning the love of God for all men. mis-
sions and the Holy Spirit, IL being under
stood that the revision shall I'm no way
impair the integrity OF the system OF doc
trine set forth I'm our Confession and taught
by the Holy Scripture
THE DEBATE.
When the order OF the day-the revision
OF the Confession of faith-was reached
this morning the moderator made a few
remarks advising against any hasty action
to-day. He said there was a tendency 10
rush the matter so that the Assembly could
adjourn. and he hoped the commissioners
would not get into panicky condition and
do something which they might regret.
He suggested. however. that all speeches
be limited. and a motion to limit them to
ten minutes was unanimously carried.
James d. Mof1att. ID. d.. president OF
Washington and jefferson University. who
on Saturday gave notice that he would
offer amendment 10 the majority report.
was then recognized by the moderator. DIR.
Moffatt explained that ne was moved to
offer the amendment to Recommendation
'B' because OF the small majority which
on Saturday voted TO retain the recon-
mendation in the revision committees re-
port. Objection had been made. he said.
to the original recommendation because OF
ambiguity in certain portions. and his OBJ
ject in amending was TO render the vote OF
the assembly on whatever action might be
taken. Il hoped 10 amend Recommendation
B." continued DR.. Moffatt. ITO meet all
ohfarffnuc and a gi uorffnQ
Many good men who opposed the origiGal
form were alarmed by the word summary
1 have made simple change, striking out
the word summary and substituting
statement which expresses just what we
have in view. Again, there Is nothing in
the original report as 10 what shall be
done with the summary. / wish 10 remove
all ambiguity and have IL stated plainly
that the committee 10 be appointed will be
required 10 report 10 the next Assembly
and that "A recommendation be made to the
next Assembly 10 submit the entire sub
ject 10 the Presbyterians.
Dr. Niccols. of ST. Louis. leader OF the
minority party. seconded the amencrnent.
which action drew forth considerable ap-
plause Other seconding speeches were
made by DIR. Herrick Johnson. OF Chicago:
former Moderator Charles A. Dickey.
Philadelphia: Dr. William Mckioben. Cin-
cinnati; DR. George y Baker, Philadel-
phia; DR.. William 9. Roberts. Transylva-
MIA, KY; Or. W. H. Boyle. Pueblo. Col.
Or. d. J. Saunders. president OF Biddis
Cunningham. Washington. Pa. and DR..
David S Kennedy. Allegheny. Pa. As each
of the foregoing commissioners who rep
resented all shades or opinion In the As
semby. rose 10 speak for the amendment
wave OF applause swept over the vast
assemblage.
The amendment was adopted by viva
voce vote. not one voice beine raised In
opposition 10 IL.
The question was then on the adoption OF
the majority report and DR. Johnson moved
that the three recommendations contained