The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-19

lows.
Votes of the Presbyterjes upon the
questions submitted by the committee:
First. For revision OF the confession
Question ~ AZ.
Second. For an explanatory statement
Question 2) IL.
Third. For revision of the Confession
and an explanatory statement Questions
l and 2,) 1.
Fourth. For a supplemental statement
CT doctrine Question 81 81.
Fifth. For revision and supplemental
statement OF doctrines Questions ! ana 81,
Is.
Sixth. For an explanatory statement
and supplemental statement Questions
and 81, l.
Seventh. for a substitute creed, Il
Eighth. For an alternate creed, /.
Ninth. For some changes.
Tenth. Negative vote on all four ques-
tons, 4.
Eleventh. Indecisive vote, L.
Twelfth. For dismissal of the whole
subject, So
Thirteenth. Presbyteries in the United
States not reporting, IS
Fourteenth. Presbyteries in foreign
lands not reporting, 16.
Results of the Vote.
The votes show that So Pres byteries favor
(see items Nos. l, 8 and above) some re-
vision of the Confession of Faith, and 6S
Presbyteries favor (see items Nos. 4, and
8 above) some form of a supplemental
statement of the doctrines most surely
believed among us.
After the patient consideration given to
this important subject, thus recorded and
after a protracted but harmonious dis
cussion of the subject in all its bearings,
and in its possible issues, it was deter
mined to submit to the General Assembly
to convene in Philadelphia May 16, 1901,
the following findings and recommended
lions, viz:
First. That the returns indicate that
the church desires some change In its
credal statement.
Second. That the returns indicate that
no change is desired which would in any
way impair the integrity of the system of
doctrines contained in the Confession of
Faith
Third. These returns indicate that 1t
is the mind of the church that the Con-
fession shall be interpreted throughout
in harmony with the teaching of scrip
ture that God is not willing that any one
should perish, nor is the decree of God,
but the wickedness of their own hearts
which shuts some men out from the Sal
walton freely and lovingly offered in
Christ Jesus to all sinners.
Fourth. These returns indicate that a
plurality of the presibyteries desire that
changes should be made by some new
statement of present doctrines.
Fifth. The returns also indicate a de-
sire On the part of many presbyteries for
some revision of the presen Confession
especially in Chapter III; Chapter X, Sec
ton 3; Chapter XVI, Section Z; Chapter
XXI, Section 81; Chapter XIV, Section
6; with additional statements concerning
the love of God for all men, missions and
the Holy Spirit.
recommendations of Committee.
A. In view of these facts we recon-
mend that a committee as provided for
by the form of government, Chapter
XIII, Section g. be appointed by this
assembly.
B. We recommend that this commit
tee be instructed to prepare a brief sum-
mary 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 model of the consensus creed pre-
pared for the Assembly of 1892, or the
ARTICLES of Faith" of the Presbyterian
Church of England. both of which docu-
ments are appended to the committees
report and submitted to the assembly, to
be referred to the committee that may
be appointed.
This summary is not to be a substitute
for the Confession, and is not to affect
the terms of subscription, but ito vindi-
cate and clear the doctrines of the
church from all false aspersons and mis-
conceptions" to give a better under
standing of what is most surely believed
among us, and is in no sense to impair,
but rather to manifest and maintain the
integrity of the Reformed Faith.
C. We further recommend that this
committee be instructed to prepare
amendments of Chapter III; Chapter x;
section g. Chapter XVI, section Z; Chap
ter XXI, section 3; and Chapter XIV,
section 6; of our Confession of Faith,
either by notifications of the text or by
declaratory statement, so as more clearly
to express the mind of the Church
with additional statements concern
ing the love of God for
all men, missions and the Holy Spirit 1t
being understood that the revision shall
in no way impair the integrity of the
system of doctrine set forth in our Con-
fession and taught in the Holy Scripture
Difference of Opinion.
The members of the committee ap-
pointed by the last assembly unanimously
agreed to all the findings and recommen-
dations of this report, with the exception
that Rev. DR.. William McKibbon and E.
w. c. Humphrey, Esq, could not ap-
prove of the recommendation to the as
sembly, to instruct the committee that
might be appointed, to prepare summary
of the Reformed Faith to be submitted
to the Presbyteries, in connection with
such other amendments and statements
as might be prepared. These members
gave notice that they would submit to
the assembly report embodying the f1nd-
ings and recommendations of this report,
emitting the recommendation to instruct
a committee that might be appointed to
prepare such a summary to the Reformed
Faith.
In conclusion we feel justified In the
statement, and we think it fitting to state,
that our lamented member. General Ben
iamin Harrison, gave clear expression TO
views before the committee which assure
us that he would have Joined us in the
findings and recommendations Of this re-
port.
I,oyal to our Standards believing that a
constitutional majority of our beloved
church favors some action, and that our
recommendations, If executed, would pre-
serve intact our system of doctrine, and
promote the peace and prosperity OF ine
church, we humbly and reverently submit
the results OF our inquiries and dehpera-
lions TO this venerable assembly.
Charles A. Dickie, Herrick Johnson
Samuel ]. Niccolls. Daniel w. Fisher
George B. Stewart, stephen w. Dana,
samuel p. sprecher. Henry Van Dyke,