Evening journal., 1901-05-16

CHANGERS In CREED
ARR PROBABLE
New Presentation Of PreSby.
tsrian Doctrine Likely
All Important Report to be Presented
TO General Assembly in Session
in Philadelphia

ZUO years ago, lllS ui6hS9N NouAN ~
Presbyterianism has held no session
perhaps so fraught with interest in the
homes and churches of its people as
will surround the deliberations and de-
cision Of the General Assembly that
convenes in Philadelphia to-day. This
is chiefly, though not altogether, owing
10 the fact that it is to decide in what
way the faith and aspirations Of the
Presbyterian fold are to be expressed
in the twentieth century. The subject
OF creed revision, for many years
LEADING one, was accentuated in inter-
est and importance by the action OF the
last General Assembly. when commit
tee of fifteen was appointed to con-
slider the matter of restating the doc
trines embodied in the Confession Of
Faith and to report at its session which
Is about TO begin it's meeting here. II
is the repOrt OF this committee which
is in a wide sense the all important one
for the assembly, and which will soon
form the basis Of the assembly's action
upon creed revision anG furnish the
theme OF many eloquent addresses pro
and con.
There arc ultra conservatives who con
tend that any restatement OF the Confess
sion OF Faith would be equivalent TO for
mulaling new creed and with results
disastrous TO the church. while others are
so radical as TO make demands equiva-
lent 10 Just such a restatement of the
confession. while plurality Of the Pres
byteries express desire 10 have a new
statement OF present doctrines In such
way as to show their harmony with
scriptural teachings. and especially ex-
presslve OF Gods love rather than Hts
wrath-not a new creed. but such a repre-
sentaiion OF the present one as will har-
monize with what they contend is the
prevailing opinion in the church to-day
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RE-
VISION.
The Committee on Revision, which will
report on Saturday. has been almost
Unanimous in its fndlngs-a fact that is
more or less important as Indicative Of
the probable approval OF them by the
General Assembly The report is as fol-
lows:
your committee finds on examination
Of the returns from the Presbyteries the
Following facts:
'1 That the returns indicate that the
church desires some change in its credal
Statement
'2 That the returns indicate that no
change is desired which would IA any
way impair the integrity Of the system Of
doctrine contained in the Confession Of
Faith
90 These returns indicate that II is the
mind Of the church that the confession
shall be interpreted throughout in har-
mony with the teachings OF Scripture that
God is not willing that anyone shall per-
ish nor Is It 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.
a. These returns Indicate that plu-
rality OF the Presbyteries desired that
changes should be maue by some new
statement'of present doctrines.
IS. The returns also indicate desire
on the part OF many Presbyteries for
some revision OF the present confession
especially in chapter g. chapter .. section
3; chapter Is section 2: chapter %, sec
ton 3; chapter 25 section 6, with addi-
iional statements concerning the love OF
God for an men, missions and the Holy
Spirit
"A. In view Of these facts we recon-
mend that a committee as provided for by
the government. chapter %. section 3, be
appointed by this assembly.
p. We recommend that this committee
be Instructed to prepare a brief summary
Of the reformed faith. bearing the same
relation TO the confession which tn,
shorter catechism bears 20 the larger
catechism, and formed on the genera
model Of the consensus creed prepared foi
the assembly Of 1892 or the articles o.
fai.h OF the Presbyterian Church Of Eng
and.
This summary Is not to be a substitute
Tor the confession, and is not to affec
ne terms Of subscription, but to 'vindi
ate and clear the doctrines Of the churcl
rom all false aspersions and misconcep
Ions 70 give a better understanding o
what Is most surely believed among us
md Is in no sense 10 impair, but rathe
manifest and maintain the integrity O
he reformed faith.
e. We further recommend that thl
ommiitee be instructed to prepar
mencments OF chapter g. chapter 10. sec
Ion 3. and chapter 16. section z; chapte
2 section 3, and chapter Is, section g. G
ur Confession OF Faith, either by mod
cation Of the text or by declarator
fatcment, so as more clearly TO expres
ne mind of the church. with additions
tatement concerning the love OF God 70
i men. missions and the Holy Spirit.
cling understood that the revision sha
no way impair the integrity of the sy.
no Of doctrines set forth in our confe.
on, and taught in the Holy Scripture. %
BUT TWO DIssENTIENTs.
pl the nfteen members OF the Commr
e on Revision, ten signed at once al
n ceiling held in Pittsburs I'm the iatt,
Ft Of last month. Ex-President Harr
in who was a member Of the conmitte
as regarded by most Of his fellow men
re az favorable TO the above repor
rotessor William r. Crabbe. Of Pitt
"a irg. was ~ at the time. and the Re
"A Samuel j. Niccols, OF ST. Louis. an
N eers John n. Harlan. associate i,.sti
me United States Supreme Court: Jof
u Parsons and Daniel r. Moves. who
a natures were not attached to the r
81 x al that time have since slrued. II