Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1901-05-29
Presbyterian General Assembly
Adopts RevisioaS Commit.
tees Report.
CLOSE OF A GREAT DISCUSSION
DIR. Moffatt's Amendment to Recon-.
- mendation B Adopted without
Dissenting Vote.


the part of the commissioners to brin
the debate on creed revision to an en-
as soon as possible. Before proceed
ing to the further consideration of tn
question of revision the assembl
adopted the report of the COMMITTEE
on the next place of meeting, whicl
selected the Fifth avenue Presbvte
ran church, New York, as the meetin
place or the general assembly of 1902
An amendment was offered substitut
ing Los Angeles for, New York. but DIR
Roberts, stated clerk, announced tina
the condition of the assembly's fund.
would not warrant such selection
and the amendment was lost. Invita-
lions were also received from Denver
milwaukee, and Saratoga Springs. The
cOmmmlttee recommended to the next
assembly the selection of Los Angeles
for the assembly of 1903.
Order of the Day.
when the order of the day-the re-
vision or the confession of faith-was
reached, the moderator made few
remarks advising against any hasty ac-
IlOn. He said there was tendency
10 rush the matter so that the assem-
Oily could adjourn, and he hoped the
commissioners would not get into n
panlcky condition and do something
winch they might regret. He sug-
gested. however. that all speeches be
limited, and a motion to limit them
10 ten minutes was unanimously car
rled. James ID. Moffatt. ID. d.. presi-
dent of Washington and Jefferson uni
versity, who on Saturday, gave notice
that he would offer an amendment TO
. the majority report. was then recog-
niZed by the moderator Dr. Moffatt
explained that he was moved to offer
the amendment to recommendation r
because of the small majority which
on Saturday voted to retain the recon-
mendation in the revision committees
report.
Ambiguity In Certain Portions.
objection had been made. he said.
TO the original recommendation be-
cause of ambiguity I'm certain portions
ana his object in amending was to
render the vote of the assembly unan-
lmous on what ever action might be
taken. II hoped to amend recommen-
dation Ii" continued DR.. Moffatt. $50
meet all objections and to give il new
wording Many good men who Oh
posed the original form were alarmed
by the word summary / have made
simple change striking out the word |
summary and substituting state |
ment,' which expresses lust what we |
nave IN view. Again there is moth |
ing In the original report as to what |
shall be done with the summary. |
wish to remove all ambiguity and
nave 1t stated plainly that the cons
mittee to be appointed will be required
TO report to the next assembly and
that recommendation be made to
the next assembly to submit the en-
tire subject to the presbyteres
DR.. Moratt's Amendment
Dr. MOHatts amendment Is as fol-
lows: I'VE recommend that this COM
mittee be instructed to prepare and to
submit to the next general assembly
Tor such disposition 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
information and better understand. |
ing OF our doctrinal belief, and not
with view to its becoming a substi-
lute for or an alternative of our con.
fession of faith"
Dr. Niccolls of st. Louis. leader of
me minority party. in brief speech.
heartily seconded the amendment |
which action drew forth considerable
applause. Other seconding speeches
we're made. .as The amendment was ,
ldopted by viva voce vote. not ono
,oice being raised I'm opposition TO II
me question was then on the adon-
ION OF the majority report, and DIR.
ohnson moved that the three recon- G
nendations contained i'm the report no
AIKEN up seratim, and the motion was 4
arried.
Adoption of Recommendations, h
Recommendation A. which calls for y
ne appointment of a revision commit
ee was adopted with only few
oices against It, Recommendation Il.
5 amended. went through without
Ign or opposition. Recommendation a
|, on motion of DR.. Baker of Phila- b
eiphla, was amended so that the | "
mendments to be prepared by the W
for several chapters of the ST
of faith shall be made ~
either by modification of the text or -
declaratory statement, but so far =
possible by declaratory statement" -
his recommendation was also adopt- re
Win put ilttle opposition. u
The question then required TO the In
loption of the report as a whole
ne moderator put the question, and n,
len there was one great roar of 81
lye' Instantly the assembly rose r,
masse and sang the doxology. The =,
oderator then lead in prayer. -
Every One Surprised.
The end to the great discussion 81
hich had continued into the fourth tn
~ came so quickly that 1t took every tr
Ie by surprise DIR. Moffatt. who In. Sc
oduced the harmonizing amendment In
recommendation Il. was surrounded do
: a crowd which congratulated him h..
his success In bringing the matter ~,
such a satisfactory issue. After the VI
sembly had again settled down DIR Io'
lker offered resolution that the In
esent revision committee be contin. a
d. that the committee be increased sh
twenty-One. that Moderator Minton bl,
a member thereof and that ne an. nm
Int the additional members This sn,
IS also adopted. On motion of DIR. In
ckey the assembly decided to con. ~ ~
ue as secretary of the revision COM ne
ttee. DIR. w. III. Roberts OF Phila- ne'
lphia. who Is also the stated clerk me
the assembly lun