The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-23
PRESBYTERIANS
ARE DIVIDED
The Subject of Greed Revision
Has Been Reached.
General Assembly Separates
Into Three Factions.
LONG DEBATE AHEAD.
Strong Sentiment in Favor Of
Making No Change.
DEBATE AHEAD.
Committee Report Was Made
Early in the Session.


the past two years has been agitating
the Presbyterian church. came before
the general assembly today and
lengthy debate on the subject is expect
ed Last week the report of the special
committee on revision of which the Rev
DR.. Charles A. Dickey of this city, is
chairman. was made the order for 8
O'Clock today. with the additional con-
dition that the discussion should not be
interrupted by other business until the
commissioners had reached some defin-
lite conclusion.
The committee was appointed by the
general assembly at st. Louis last year
The controversy regarding the revision
has led to the formation of three groups
among the $40 commissioners to the
general assembly. First, there is the
conservative group composed of those
opposed to any change whatever in the
doctrinal standards of the church, then
there is a party desirous of setting aside
the confession of faith as not truthfully
expressing the belief of the church. Be
tween the stand the centerists who
favor maintaining the old confession
with a few notifications, and who de-
sire the adoption of a clear 'declarative''
statement, setting forth the most i'm
portant doctrines and laying special en-
phasis upon the love of God for man
kind and on the work of the Holy Spir-
it
The commissioners have had ample
time to study the committees report
and when Moderator Minton called the
assembly to order today, all were fully
prepared for a thorough and intelligent
consideration of the subject
In answer to the questions submitted
to the presbyteries, so asked the assem-
bly, to dismiss the whole subject, one
was undecided four said they neither
desired a revision, nor a supplemental
statement, one revision and an explain
atory statement 81 a supplemental
statement, Is revision and a supplement
tai statement, one an explanatory state
ment and a supplemental statement,
four a substitute creed, one an alterna-
tive creed and six some change. not
specified.
READING THE REPORT.
Fully an hour before the doors of Cal
vary church were opened crowds
thrOnged the entrance and when the de-
votional exercises began the galleries
were filled to overlooking.
The debate on revision was DELAYED
by the report of the committee on bills
and overtures and other matters of some
Importance to the assembly.
Rev DR.. Asa S. F'iske of Washington,
D. c., offered a resolution congratulat-
ing President Mckinley upon the recov-
cry from an apparently fatal illness of
Mrs. Mckinley and Offering thanks TO
God at the prospect of early return to
her home. The resolution was unani-
mously adopted.
DIR. Roberts, stated clerk announced
that there is still two days business to
be disposed after The revision question
is settled.
The order of the day. the reading of
the report of the special committee on
revision came before the assembly at 10
o'clock.
Rev. DR.. Dickey, chairman of the com
mittee, before reading the report said:
IF it had not been for the ordaining
that the revision movement was to come
to pass in 1900 you would no doubt be
where I am in 1901 This is my obliga-
ton by no choice of my own. The last
general assembly in its kindness as it
thought, named me chairman of the
committee which I had already named.
I say this little word that the commits
sioners may know am here by appoint
ment and not by request
DR.. Dickey then proceeded to read. the
report and was closely followed by all
the commissioners who held copies.
At the request of DR.. Dickey, DIR.
Roberts, the stated clerk. read the
minute on the death of General Harrison,
meeting in Pittsburg. It was accepted
as a supplemental report and adopted
by a rising vote.
The minority report signed by Rev.
DR.. McKibben of Cincinnati and F. W.
Humphrey Of Louisville, was read by
DR.. Mckibben. In presenting the report
DIR. Mcklbben SAID he would like to say
a word regarding the spirit which pre-
vailed at the meetings of the commit
tee He declared that sensational reports
had appeared in the newspap pers which
We're without one iota Of truth DR. Nc
Kibben said the meetings of the COM
mittee were conducted under the most
harmonious conditions.
On motion Of Rev. DR.. James D.
Mofat, of Washington, Pa, presbytery,
the reports were received
THE TROUBLE BEGINS.
Rev. DR.. Samuel J. Niccols of st. Louis,
moved that as the first recommended
tions in both reports were similar those
recommendations be adopted.
DR.. Dicl1ey claimed that under the
rules of the assembly he and DR.. McKib- |
ben were entitled to speak on their re- |
ports before any motions We're presented |
DR.. Niccols said he made the motion
in the interest of fairness
The main issue, he said. was the ap-
pointment of a committee whose in
structions were to come later and he be- |
Iieved that by adopting the first recon-
mendatiOn the assembly would have the |
whole report in better shape for consid- |
Grafton
Rev DR.. John Dewitt of Princeton |
sprang to his feet and addressing DR.. |
NiccolS said:
How do you know we want to ap- |
point a committee Suppose we want to |
dismiss the matter
Dr. Moffatt moved a substitute mo- |
tion to adopt the whole of the majority |
report Several amendments were Of |
fered but there was so much confusion |
that DIR. Niccols withdrew his motion |
DR.. Mofatt then moved to adopt the ma /