The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-24
ELOQUENT SPEECHES MADE
Proposition to Dismiss the
 Subject is Combatted.
Dr. Hsrrick Johnson Declares the Confession of Faith Human Document Whose Authors
 were Not Infallible. |.

Philadelphia, Pa, May 23.-With elo- quence born of the solemn importance of the question at issue, commission CTS to the Presbyterian General As sembly today began the debate on the revision of the Confession of Faith. Calvary Church was not large enough to accommodate the throngs who clamored for admission. Many of the spectators did not leave the church during the noon recess. Although fre- quently requested to avoid demonstra- tions. the audience repeatedly applaud ed the speakers. ...
 The great question came before the Assembly with the reading of the report of the commission on revision by Rev. Dr. Charles A. Dickey. Chairman. This was followed by the minority report, read by Rev. Dr. William McKibben of Cincinnati.
 Dr. Dickey made a stirring address. supporting the old confession. Rev. Dr. Herrick Johnson and Rev. Dr. Samuel J. Niccolls aroused the unbounded en- thusiasm of the audience by their bril- liant presentations of the revision fac- tion's reasons for desiring a change.
 The Special Order. ..
 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 or- der for 9 o'clock today, with the addi- tional condition that discussion should not be interrupted by other business until the commissioners had reached some definite conclusion. The com mittee was appointed by the General Assembly at St. Louis last year.
 The controversy regarding revision has led to the formation of three groups among the 64e commissioners to the General Assembly. First, there is the controversy group of those opposed to any change whatever in the doc- trinal 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. Between theser stand the Centrists, who favor maintaining the old confession with a few modified tions. and who desire the adoption of 6 clear, "declarative" statement. set ting forth the most important doc trines and laying special emphasis up- on the love of God for mankind, and on the work of the Holy Spirit.
 All Fully Prepared.
 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 intelli- gent consideration of the subject.
 In answer to questions submitted to the Presbyteries, fifty asked the As- sembly to dismiss the whole subject, one was undecided, four said they neither desired a revision nor a sup plemental statement nor the dismissal of the whole subject. and of the 2S3 Presbyteries, fifteen in the United States and sixteen in foreign lands failed to respond.
 Of the remaining Presbyteries, near ly two- thirds of the whole number asked for some change in the creedal statement. forty-seven desire revis- ion of the confession. eleven an ex- planatory statement, one a revision and an explanatory statement, fifty-two a supplemental statement, fifteen revis- ion and a supplemental statement, one an explanatory statement and sup plementel statement, fourteen sub stitute creed, one an alternative creed, and six some change not specifid.
 Galleries Filled.
 Fully an hour before the door of Cavalry Church were opened crowds thronged the entrance and when the devotional exercises began the galleries were filled to overflowing. After the opening hymn. Come. Thou. Almighty King" prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. David Kennedy of Allegheny, Pa, who invoked the divine assistance in the consideration of the momentous ques- ton before the assembly.
 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. pr. Dickey, chairman of the committee. before reading tho report, said: If 1t had not been foreordained that the revision movement was to come to pass in 1900 you would TO doubt be where l am in 1901. This is my obligation by no choice of my own. The last General Assembly in it's kind ness, as it thought. named me chair man of the committee which I had al- ready named. l say this little word that the commissioners may know I am here by appointment anG not by request
 Dr Dickey then proceeded to read the report and was closely followed by all the commissioners who held copies.
 pr. Roberts, Stated Clerk. announced that there is still two days business to be disposed of after the revision question is settled.
 Minority Report.
 The minority report. signed by Rev. pr. McKibben of Cincinnati and F. w. Humphrey of Louisville, was read by Dr. McKibben. He declared that sensational reports had appeared in the newspapers regarding the commit tees meetings, which were without one iota of truth. Dr. McKibben said the meetings were conducted under the most harmonious conditions. On motion of Rev. James Moffatt of Washington. Pa.. PresbyteIy, the reports were re- ceiVed.
 :. Rev. pr. Sam Nieeolls of St. Louis