Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-04-27
UNANIMOUS REPORT 70
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
THE COMMITTEE on REVISION
OF CREED OF
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
FULL. TEXT OF THE REPORT TO BE
PRESENTED AT PHILADEL-
PHIA, on MAY 10.

ApllI Ap.-I1di
monious action was taken by the COM
mittee on revision of the creed of the
Presbyterian church at its sessions to-
day at the Monongahela House, and a
unanimous report formulated late in
the afternoon for submission to the
general assembly, which will meet in
Philadelphia May 16. Rev. DR.. Henry
Van Dyke, of Princeton University,
when handing the report to the Asso-
ciated press representative, said:
"The action taken cannot be empha-
sized too strongly, for it will have to
endure comment and criticism in every
Presbyterian home and community in
the United States. Ten members
signed it, and we are assured that
every one of the other four would attach
his signature. 1t was the full commit
tee that met, and not a subcommittee.
Prof VIM. r. Crabbe, of your city, was
prevented by illness from being pres
ent Former President Benjamin Har-
rison is dead, and that leaves Rev. DR..
Samuel j., Niccols, of St. Louis, and
Elders John M. Harlan, associate JUS
tice of the United States Supreme
Court, John E. Parsons and Daniel R.
Moves, of ST. Paul, to sign.
This report was unanimously adopt
ed with the exception of recommended
ton B, against which Rev. DR.. William
McKibbin and Judge E. w. c. Hum
phrey voted"
The report follows:
Your committee find on examina-
ton of the returns from the presby-
teries the following facts:
Il. That the returns indicate that
the church desires some change in its
credal statement.
III. That the returns indicate that
no change is desired which would in
any way impair the integrity of the
system of doctrine contained in the
confession of faith.
iii. These returns indicate that it
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 it the decree of
God, but the wickedness of .neir own
hearts which shuts some men out from
the salvation freely and lovingly Of
fered in Christ Jesus to all sinners.
Nv. These returns indicate that a
plurality of the presbyteries desired
that changes should be made by some
new statement of present doctrines
"V. The returns also indicate a de-
sire on the part of many presbyteries
for some revision of the present con-
fession, especially in Chap. Ill; Chap.
X, Sec. Z; Chap. XII, Sec. 3; Chap.
XIV, Sec. 6, with additional state
ments concerning the love of God for
all men, missions and the Holy Spirit
"A. In view OF this fact, We recon-
mend that a committee as provided for
by the form OF government, chapter %,
section 3, be appointed by this assem-
bly,.
"B. We recommend that this commit
tee be instructed TO prepare brief
summary of the reformed faitn, 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
prepared for the assembly of 1892, or
the articles of faith of the Presbyter-
ian Church of England, both of which
documents are appended to the commit
tees report and submitted to the as
sembly. to be referred to the commit
tee that may be appointed.
This summary is not to be substi-
tute for the confession and is not to af-
feet the terms of subscription, but ito
vindicate and clear the doctrines of the
church from all false aspersions and
misconceptions. to give better under
standing of what is most surely be-
lieved among us. and is in no sense 10
impair. but rather to manifest and
maintain the integrity of the reformed
faith.
&c. I've further recommend that this
committee be instructed to prepare
amendments to Chapter III, Chapter X
Section 3, and Chapter XVI. Section 4
Chapter XXI, section 3, and Chapter
XIV, Section s. of our confession Of
faith either by modification of the text
or by declaratory statement, so as more
clearly to express the mind Of the
church with additional statements con-
corning 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 sys-
tens of doctrines set fort. in our con-
fesslon and taught in the Holy Scrip
ture"
The report is compromise to satisfy
the two great classes Of opinion among
the Presbyteries- One large number wish
a reinstatement of the creed and the other
wish a revision Of the whole. The ques-
ton OF Denomination and predestination
is treated of in chapter 3. and the commit
tee recommends that these subjects be
amended by committee TO be appointed
by the general assembly