Evening star., 1901-05-18

upon at this meeemg, bpH final action was
POSTPONED to ano4her time.
d; G, February B anda4. 1901, at which
additional answeEs froH the presbyteries
were presented and ths subject was fur
Several memberS Of the committee found
1t impossible to attend tits February meet
ing, ana ethers wBre scompelled to leave be-
fore definite actfah could be agreed upon:
Whlle maJorityso Of the committee found
1t feasible to agrre upon definite recon-
mendation. a considerable minority ex-
pressed desire for further consideration.
The chairman being authorized to convene
the committee as the convenience of the
majority, called, Stherefere, meeting at
Pittsburg, April 25, 1901, and ten members
OF the committee were present One MEM
Der OF the committee, Daniel r. Moves. was
absent from the country; four members,
VIZ, Rev. Samuel J. Niccolls, d. D., John
n. PARSONS, Justice John M. Harlan and
Dr. William R. Crabbe. regretted their in
doiilty 10 attend the meeting. but In view
OF previous action expressed their willing
ness to unite with majority in any final
action that might be determined. The de-
ilberat1ons of this meeting were shadowed
py the lamented loss of our distinguished
member Cen Benjamin Harrison. Ex-
presslonS of esteem and regret were record
ed upon our minutes and committee, con-
Sistlng or the chairman, Rev. Samuel j.
Niceolls. D. D., and Justice John NJ Har-
ian, was appointed to submit a minute to
the assembly. -.
Action of 2O2 Presbyteries.
AT the Pittsburg meeting the final state
ment Of the action of 2e2 presbyteries upon
the questions submitted by the committee
was presented, and was as follows:
Votes of the presbyteries upon the ques-
tions submitted by the committee:
L. For revision of the confession (ques-
tion u, A.
9 For an explanatory statement (oues-
tion p, II.
:. For revision of the confession and an
explanatory statement questions l and
4. For a supplemental statement of doc
trine Question 81. 50
.. For revision and a supplemental state
ment OF doctrine Questions and -, 10.
u. For an explanatory statement and a
81, 1.
I. For a substitute creed, IA.
g. For an alternative creed, l.
.. For some change g.
10. Negative vote on all four questions, 4.
IL. lndeciSive vote 1.
l. For dismissal of the whole subject
13. Presbyteries in the United States not
reporting, 13.
a. presbyteries in foreign lands not re-
reporting, 10.
The votes show that sixty-three presby-
terfes favor tsee items Nos. 1, 8 and 3
above) some revision of the confession of
Ialtn, ana sdXty-eight presbyteries favor
Ssee items Nos. 4, and above) some
form or a supplemental statement of the
doctrines most surely believed among us.
AFTER the patient consideration given to
thls Important subject, thus recorded and
after protracted. but harmonious dis
cusslon of the subject in all it's bearings
and In it's possible issues, it was determined
TO submit to the general assembly to con-
Vene in Philadelphia, May TO- 1901. the fol-
lowing findings and recomme nda lions viz:
l. That the returns indicate that the
church desires some change in its credal
statement.
.. That the return indicate that no
change Is desired which would in any way
impair the integrity of the system of doc
trine contained in the confession of faith
q. 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 the decree of God. but the wickedness
OF their own hearts which shuts some men
out from the salvation 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 statement of
present doctrines.
Where Revision is Desired
8. The returns also indicate a desire on
the part of many .presbyteries for some
revision of the present confession, es-
pecially In chapter iii; chapter x, section
j; chapter xvi, section Z; chapter xii sec
ton 3; chapter XIV section 6; with addi-
tlonal statements concerning the love of
God all men, missions and the Holy Spirit
A. In view of these facts we recommend
that a committee as provided for by the
form of government, chapter xxii section
), be appointed by this assembly.
Is. We recommend that this committee be
instructed to prepare a brief summary of
the.reformed faith bearing the same rela-
ton to the confession which the shorter
catechism bears to the larger catechism
and formed 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 both of
which documents are appended to the com
mittee's report and submitted to the as
Sembly, to be referred to the committee
that may be appointed.
This summary is not to be a substitute
Tor 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 give a better understanding of what is
most surely believed among us and is in
no sense to impair but rather to manifest
and maintain the integrity of the reformed
faith
G. We further recommend that this
committee be instructed to prepare amend
ments of chapter iii; chapter X, section g.
chapter xvi, section Z; chapter xii sec
tfon 3, and chapter XIV, section 6; of our
confession of faith, either by modifica-
state
ment, so as more clearly to express the
mind of the church with additional state
ments 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 Scripture.
The members of the committee appointed
by the last assembly unanimously agreed
to all the findings and recommendations of
this report, with the exception that Rev.
DIR. William McKibbon and E. w. c. Hum
phrey, esq, could not approve of the rec
ommendation to the assembly to instruct
the committee that might be appointed to
prepare a summary of the reformed faith
to bg submitted to the presbyteries in con-
necNon with such other amendments and
statements as might be prepared These
members gave notice that they would SUBJ
nit to the assembly a report embodyins
the findings and recommendations of this
report, omitting the recommendation to in
struct a committee that might be appoint
ed to prepare such a summary Of the re-
formed faith.
In conclusion we feel justified in the
statement and we think it fitting to state
that our lamented member, General Ben
jamin Harrison, gave clear expression to
views before the committee which assure
us that he would have Joined us in the
findings and recommendations of this ra