Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-05-18
That Submitted to the Pres
byterian General AS
sembly.
ON THE QUESTION OF FAITH
The Various Articles on
Which Changes Are
Suggested.

Philadelphia, May 1S.-At today's
session of the Presbyterian general
assembly, after devotional exercises,
the reports OF special committees
were presented. The report of the
revision committee shows that 63
presby teries favor some revision of
the confession of faith and 68 presby-
teries favor some form of supplement
tai statement of the doctrines most
surely believed among US. The re-
port says:
Revision of Faith.
"After patient consideration is
given to this important subject, and
after a protracted but harmonious
discussion of the subject in all its
bearings, and in it's possible issues,
it was determined to submit to the
general assembly the following find
ings and recommendations, viz:
Il. That the returns indicate that
the church desires some change in lis
credal statement.
"2. That the returns indicate that
nc change is desired which would in
any way impair the integrity of the
system of doctrine contained in the
confession of faith.
"3. These returns indicate that it
is 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
wickedness of their own hearts, which
shuts some men out from the saliva
ton freely and lovingly offered in
Christ Jesus to all sinners.
"4 These returns indicate that a
plurality of the presbyteries desire
that changes should be made by some
new statements of present doctrines.
IS. The returns also indicate de-
sire on the part of many presbyteries
for some revision of the present con-
fession, with additional statements
concerning the love of God for all
men, missions and the Holy Spirit.
"In view of these facts we recon-
mend that a committee as provided
for by the form of government be ap-
pointed by the assembly.
The Recommendations.
1--WE recommend that this commit
summary of the reformed faith bear
ing the same relation to the confess
sion which the shorter catechism
bears to the larger catechism, and
formed on the general model of the
concensus creeds prepared for the as
sembly of 1894, for the Articles of
Faith of the Presbyterian church of
England. This summary is not to be
a substitute for the confession, and is
not to affect the terms of subscription,
but ito vindicate and clear the
doctrines of the church from all false
aspersions and misconceptions to
better understanding of what is
most surely believed among US, and
in no sense to impair, but rather to
manifest and maintain the integrity
of the reformed faith. We further
recommend that the committee be in
structed to prepare amendments of
chapter 8, chapter 10, section z;
chapter 16, section z; chapter %, Sec
tion 3; and chapter %. section 6, of
our Confession of Faith, either by
notifications of the text or by
declaratory statement so as more
clearly to express the mind
of the church with additional state
ment concerning the love of God for
all men, missions and the Holy Spirit,
it being understood that the revision
shall in no way impair the integrity
| of the system of doctrine set forth in
our confession and taught in the
holy scriptures.
Gen. HarrIson's Views
I'VE feel justified in the statement
and we think it fitting to state that
our lamented member. Gen. Benla-
min Harrison, gave clear expression
to views before the committee which
assure us that he would have Joined
US in the findings and recommends
tions of this report.
Loyal to our standards, believing
that a constitutional majority of our
beloved church favors some action,
and that our recommendations if ex-
ecuted, would preserve intact our
system of doctrine and promote the
peace and prosperity of this church,
we humbly and reverently submit
the results of our inquiries and de-
liberations to this venerable assem-
| bly,"
The assembly fixed next Thursday
morning for the hearing and consid-