The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-27
ARE AGAINST NEW GREED
INDICATIONS POINT TO A CONSERV-
ALIVE CHANGE BY GENER-
AL ASSEMBLY
MODERATE REVISION LIKELY
DEBATE ON THE PRESBYTERIAN
CONFESSION OF FAITH TO BE
RESUMED TODAY

PHILADELPHIA, May 26.-Commis-
sioners to the general assembly again
supplied nearly all Of the Presbyterian
| pulpits and those of several other de-
nominations in this city and vicinity to-
| day. Many persons took advantage OF
| the opportunity to hear the men whose
eloquence during the past week held the
attention of thousands in Calvary church
in discussion upon the question Of revis-
ion of the confession. The leaders of
the parties that have battled for suprem-
acy We're heard in the prominent church
| es. Moderator Minton delivered two
| sermons, one in the morning IN West
minister church, and-the other in the
evening in O1ivet church. Methodists
and Baptists were addressed at a largely
attended meeting of the EYangelistic
committee in the afternoon at Wither-
spoon hall The meeting was held 80
that the commissioners to the general
assembly could have occasion to ask
questions with regard to the work John
H. COnvers, of this city, who has been
chairman of the committee for the past
two years, and who has been elected to
the office, for the third time, presided.
Mr.. Convers gave a short history Of the
meeting. In speaking of the evangelical
work in this city, he said the results
had been all that had been desired. More
than 100000 persons had attended tie
meetings held IN five tents in this city
last summer
DISCUSS CREED TODAY.
Other addresses were made by George
B. Stewart, president Of Auburn semi
nary; j. Willis Baer, general secretary of
the Christian Endeavor societies, and
the Rev. Hugh K. Walker, of Los An
geles, Cal. The debate on the revision
of the confession of faith, which took
up the whole of three days last week
will be resumed tomorrow morning and it
is believed some definite action will have
been taken before the general assem- bly,
adjourns for the day
Much comment has been made by the
commissioners over the high character
of the debate as far as it has gone. There
| has been a total absence of harsh feel
ing
The question now before the assembly
| is: Shall the majority report be adopted
in it's entirety2'' This report briefly
stated, recommends the appointment Of
commission to prepare brief sum
mary of the reformed faith, bearing the
same relation to the confession which the
| shorter catechism bears to the larger
! catechism and forr>sS on the general
model Of the consensus creed prepared
for the assembly Of 1892 or the articles
Of faith, of the Presbyterian Church Of
England. The report also recommends
this committee prepare amendments to
several chapters of the confession,
either by modification Of the text or by
declaratory statement, so as more clear
ly to express the mind of the church
The motions to dismiss the whole matter
and to strike out the recommendation
in the majority report for brief sum-
mary having been defeated the contest
I has narrowed down to a struggle between
the advocates of new creed and those
who desire only a moderate revision Of
the confession
It is predicted with considerable show
of confidence that the moderate revision
lists will win against the new creedists
and that it will then resolve itself into
contest over the nature of the changes.
The two votes already taken would indi-
cate that the report of the majority
would be adopted without amendment,
but If that comes about it will not be
without a struggle The moderate re-
visionists who voted with the more ex-
IRENE members of the church against
dismissal will ally themselves with the
dismissalists against any radical amend
ments to the report. The sentiment for
a declaratory statement for a committee
for a brief summary is growing and 1t is
thought the deciding vote may come on
those two issues
1t is not thought the assembly will ad-
journ before Thursday. The Rev. DR.. W.
D. Roberts, the stated clerk, gave out
the information that there is still two
days work before the assembly after the
revision question is out of the way. At
ter the present matter is disposed of the
proposition for the establishment Of a ju-
dicial committee VIII hold the attention
OF the assembly. Lines are sharply drawn
on thiS matter and NAV de1aU soma
what the final adjournment. Quite
number of commissioners have returned
to their homes.