Missouri Valley times., 1901-05-30
ADOPTS REVISION REPORT.
Presbyterian Creed Debate Ends an,
Change In Confession Is Dccrecd.


Presbyterian Creed Debate Ends and
Change In Confession Is Dccrccd.
Philadelphia, May 29.-The Presbyterian
the special committees report for re-
visionrof the confession of faith.
Before proceeding to further considera-
ton of the question of revision the as
sembly adopted the report of the commit
tee on the next place of meeting, which
selected the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian
church, New York, as the place of the
general assembly of 1902. An amendment
was offered substituting Los Angeles for
New York, but the stated clerk announced
the condition of the assemh!ys funds
would not warrant such selection, and the
amendment lost. Invitations were also
leceived from Denver, Milwaukee and
Saratoga Springs.
When the order of the day revision OF
the confession of faith, was reached, the
moderator made u few remarks, advising
against any hasty action today. liz, said
there was n tendency to rush matters SO
the assembly could adjourn, and he hoped
the commissioners would not get into Il.
panicky condition and do something
which they might regret. He suggested
, that all speeches be limited.
motion to limit them to ten minutes:
was unanimously carried.
Moffat as Mollifier.
James ID. Moffatt, ID. d., president of
Washington and jefferson university who
on Saturday gave notice he would offer
an amendment to the majority report
was then recognized. Mr.. Moffatt cN-
planned that he movel to offer an amend
ment to the Recommendation because the
small majority which OH Saturday voted
to retain the recon nln fior i'm ~, ,a
vision committees report. Objection had
been made, he said. TO the original rec
, ommendation because of ambiguity in
certain portions and his object in amcnd-
| ing was to render the vote of the assem-
bly unanimous on whatever action might
be taken. The amendment follows:
We recommend that this committee bo
instructed to prepare and submit to the
next general assembly, for such disposi-
tlon as may be Judged to be wise, a brief
statement of the reformed faith, eX-
pressed as far as possible, in untechnical
! terms. Said statement to be prepared
with view to its being employed to give
information and better understanding
or our doctrinal beliefs and with a Wow
to Its becoming substitute for or alter
native of our confession OF faith.''
Seconded by Minority Leader.
Or. Niccols of ST. Louis. leader of the
minority party, in a brief speech heartily
seconded the amendment, which action
Grew forth considerable applause. Other
Herrick johnson. Chicago; former Mod
orator, Charles A. Dickey. Philadelphia;
Or. VIM Mckibben. Cincinnati; DIR. Geo.
u. Baker, Philadelphia; DIR. Wm q. Bob
erts, TransYlvania, Ky, DIR. w. II. W.
| Boyle, Pueblo, Col; DIR. ID. j. Saunders,
resident of Biddle university, Charlotte
7 N. c.. Dr. David a. Cunningham, WASH
ngton. Pa, and DIR. David S. Kennedy
| Allegheny, Pa.
As each Of :he above commissioners,
who represented all shades of opinion in
the assembly, rose to speak for ille
amendment a wave of applause swept
| over the vast assemblage.
| The amendment was adopted by a viva
/ voce vote, not one voice being raised in
| opposition to 1T.
The question then was ON the adoption
| of the majority report
| DIR. johnson moved that the three rec
| concentrations contained in the report be
taken up seriatim. The motion carried
Recommendation a, which calls for the
was adopted with only Il few voices
| against It,
Recommendation B. as amended, went
4 through without Il sign of opposition.
Recommendation c. ON motion of Dr.
Baker of Philadelphia. was amended 50
that the amendments 10 be prepared by
the committee for the several chapters
|of the confession of faith shall be mace
"either by modification of text or by Il
declaratory statement. but so far as pcs
| sible by declaratory statement.
Adopted With n Shout.
This recommendation was adopted with
| but little opposition.
Tho question then recurrcd to the adoi,-
ton of the report as II whole. The mod
orator then led in prayer.
4 The end 10 the great discussion whi,'!,
had continued Into the fourth day c:smc
so quickly it took everyone by surprise.
\ DR. Nioffat was surrounded by Il crowd,
/ which congratulated him on his success
i'm bringing the matter To such II sa,is-
factory issue. After the assembly had
again settled down DIR. Baker offered a
| resolution that the present revision com
be increased to twcnty-one; that Mo;ler-
ator Mnton be Il member thereof, ant.
that he appoint additional members.
/ Adopted.
ON motion of DIR. Dickey the assembly
decided to continue as secretary of the
| revision committee DR. w. III. Roberts;
nf Philadelphia. who is also stated clerl,
Of the assembly.