The age-herald., 1901-05-24
Three Factions in the Presbyte-
 rian General Assembly
HAVE NOT YET AGREED
One Speaker Says the Assembly Will Follow In Steps of Westminster Fathers in Making Changes
 In the Creed.


 born of the solmen importance of the question at issue. commissioners to the Presbyterian General Assembly today be- gan the debate on the revision on 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 tho church during the noon recess. Although frequently requested to avoid demonstra- tions the audience repeatedly applauded the speakers.
 The great question came before the as- sembly with the reading of the report of the committee on revision by Rev. Dr. Charles A. Dickey, chairman. This was followed by the minority report read by Rev. pr. William McKibben of Cin- cinnati.
 Dr. Dickey made stirring address SUD- porting the old confession. Rev. Dr. Her rick Johnson and Rev. Dr. Samuel J. Nicolls aroused the unbounded enthusiasm of the audience by their brilliant presen- tations of the revision factions for de- sring a change.
 Last week the report of the special committee on revision of which the Rev. pr. Charles A. Dickey of this city is chairman, was made the order for o'clock today, with the additional condi- ton that discussion should not be inter rupted by other business until the con- missioners had reached some definite con- clusion. The committee was appointed by the general assembly at St. Louis last year.
 Three Groups.
 The controversy regarding revision has led to the formation of three groups among the $40 commissioners to the gen. eral assembly, First, there is the contro- versy group of those opposed to any change whatever in the doctrinal stand ards of the church. Then there is party desirous of setting aside the confession of faith as not truthfully expressing the belief of the church Between these stands the Centrists, who favor nam taining the old confession with lew notifications, and who desire the aoop- ton of a clear "declarative' statement, setting forth the most important doc trines and laying special emphasis upon | the work of God for mankind, and on the work of the Holy Spirit.
 The commissioners have had ample 1 time to study the committee eport' ana l when Moderator Minton the as- l sa,,h,,y to order today all lily pre- | pared for a thorough and 5ent con | sideration of the subject.
 In answer to questions submitted to the Presbyteries, fifty asked the assembly to dismiss the whole subject, one was unoe- l cided four said they neither desired revision nor a supplemental statement nor the dismissal of the whole subject, and of the 233 Presbyteries, fifteen in hte l United States and sixteen in foreign lands l failed to respond.
 1 Majority Want Change. l Of the remaining Presbyteries, nearly 1 two-thirds of the whole number asked 1 for some change in the creedal statement, | forty-seven desired revision of the con fession, eleven an explanatory statement, l one a revision and an explanatory state- ment, flfty-two supplemental state, | ment, one an explanatory statement ana | a supplemental statement fourteen 1 substitute creed, one an alternative creed, and six some change not specified.
 The order of the day, the reading Of the report of the special committee on re- vision, came before the assembly at lo o'clock.
 Rev. D. Dickey, chairman of the com- mittee before reading the report said: If 1t had not been foreordained that the revision movement was to come to pass | in 1900 you would no doubt be where am in 1901. This is my obligation by no choice | of my own The last General Assembly, in its kindness, as it thought, named me chairman of the committee which l nad already named. I say this little word that the commissioners may know l am here by appointment and not by request. | Dr. Dickey then proceeded to read the report and was closely followed by all | the commissioners who held copies. | Dr. Roberts Stated Clerk, announced that there is still two days business to be disposed of after the revision ques- ton is settled.
 The minority report signed by Rev. pr. 1 McKibben of Cincinnati and F. w. Hum- phrey of Louisville was read by Dr. Mo- | Kibben He declared that sensational re- | norts had appeared in the newspapers re- garding the committees meetings, which were without one iota of truth. pr. Me Kibbens said the meetings were conducted under the most harmonious conditions. On motion of Rev. James Moffatt of Washington. Pa., Presbytery, the reports were received
 pr. George D. Baker of Philadelphia of fered the following:
 "Whereas. The vote of the Presbyter- , ies on creedal revision indicates an ut , ter lack of unanmity as to what should , be done in the matter, and Resolution to Dismiss. "Whereas, This lack of unanmity , means protracted period of controversy and unrest in case the movement of re- vision be persisted in, and
 "Whereas. The disturbance of the con | fesson of faith would be in the way of union or reunion with other churches now holding this symbol unimpaired which union is earnestly desired and pray , ed for; therefore,
 Resolved, That this General Assembly deems it inexpedent to proceed further in the matter of revision at this time, and it thereby dismsses the whole mat : ter"
 The reading of the resolution brought forth considerable applause Loud calls for pr. Dickey to speak on the resolution followed
 Before he got started on his subject, however a point of order was raised against discussion of the resolution to in- defitely postpone.
 To expedite matters Dr. Baker changed he wording of his resolution as originally written by stroking out the word. "indefi- nitely postpone and submitted the word dismissed
 Dr. Dickey made an eloquent appeal to the assembly to settle the matter finally. He was followed Dr. McKibben, in behalf of he minority report. At the conclusion of the latter's addresst he assembly, at 1920 p. n., took a recess until 2 80 o'clock. Fl Confession of Faith.
 At the afternoon session Rev. Dr. G. B. Baker opposed revision. An explanatory