Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-05-18
Findings Of Special Committee
on Creed Revision Submitted
to Presbyterians.
Returns From Presbytefies Indi-
cate Church Desires Change
in Credal Statement.
General Demand That the Con.
fession Shall be in Harmony
With Scripture.

With Scripture.
Philadelphia, May 1s.-At today's ses-
sion of the Presbyterian general assem-
bly,, after the devotional exercises, the
reports of the special committees were
presented. TIL report of the revision
committee is as follows:
The votes show that sixty-three pres
byteries favor some revision of the con-
fession of faith and siXty-eight presby-
teries favor some form of a supplemental
statement of the doctrines most surely
believed among US.
After patient considera ton is given
to this important subject, and after
protracted but harmonious discussion OF
the subject in all its bearings, and in its
possible issues, 1t was determined to
submit to the general assembly the fol-
lcwing findings and recommendations,
VIZ:
Il That the returns indicate that the
church desires some change in its credal
statement.
%. That the returns indicate that no
change is desired which would in any
way impair the integrity of the system
of doctrine contained in the Confession
of Faith.
% These returns indicate that it is
the mind of the church that the confes-
sion shall be interpreted thruout in far-
mony with the teaching of scripture that
God is not willing that any one should
perish. nor is the decree OF God, but the
lNvickedness of their own hearts. which
shuts some men out from the salvation
freely and lovingyl offered in Christ Je-
sus TO all sinners.
a. These returns indicate ..a+ a
! plurality of the presbyteries desire that
\ changes should be made by some new
l statements of present doctrines
.. The returns also indicate desire
ion the part of many presbvteries for
some revision of the present confession.
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 committee as provided by
ti-a form pf government be appointed
By the assembly.
We recommend that this committee
be instructed to prepare a brief summa-
Try of the reformed faith bearing the
same relation to the confession which
The shorter catechism bears to the larger
catechism, and formed on the general
llaodel Of the concensus creeds prepared
for the assembly of 1892. or the Articles
fof Faith of the Presbyterian church of
i E;nelhnd
This summary is not to be substi-
tute for the confession and is not to af-
'eet the terms of subscription, but 10
/ ivindicate and clear the doctrines of the
/ church from all false aspersions and
+ misconceptions to give better under
Standing of what is most surely believed
among US. and is in no sense to impair.
hut rather to manifest and maintain, the
integrity Of the reformed faith.
We further recommend that the
committee be instructed to prepare
amendments of capter 3; chapter 10,
/ section 3; chapter ls. section q; chapter
-. section 8; and chapter % section 6,
iof orr confession of faith either by
notifications of the text or by decama-
Tory statement So as more clearly To ex-
| press the mind of the church with ad-
lditinnal statements concerning the love
81 God for all men. missions and the
4 Holy Spirit 1t is being understood that
I the revision shall in no way impair the
/ Integrity of the system of doctrine set
! forth in cur confession and taught in
I the Holy Scriptures.
The assembly axed next Thursday
morning for hearing consideration Of
/ liie report vi the special committee on
revision of the confession of faith.
Thursday and Friday were set aside for
discussion of the revision. 1t s consid Z
cred the debate viii consume two days,
The names Of the commissioners SCI
lected Yesterday By the various districts
10 serve as members OF the standing
llccmmietees were read and accepted
| The report of the committee on mission
airy and benevolent offerings did not
meet with favor by majority OF the
commissioners. Recommendations We're
made adding 10 overture No a new
parts of the particlar church are: Seq
sions, deacons. communicant MEMBERS
With their baptized children; Sabbath
school with its scholars, teachers and
officers: various societies or agencies or
ganized for the carrying on of Christian
wrol and development of Christian
/ life"
The report was referred to the COM
mittee on church polity. Announcement
was made of the death of Rev. Maltbie
b Rabcock, d. D.. pastor of the brick
church, New York. in Naples. yester-
day. of typhoid fever. The assembly ad-
journed until Monday. The commission
ers are guests of Provost Charles C.
Harrison. of the University of Pennsyl-
vania, this afternoon.
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