The Minneapolis journal., 1901-05-18
Committee Reports to Pres
byterian Assembly.
REVISION rs DEMANDED
This the Result of a Canvass :
Sentiment of Church Members.
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS MADE
Committee Asked For to Perform
the Actual Work of
Revision.

Philadelphia, May 1S.-Contrary to ex-
pectation, the Presbyterian general as
sembly did not discuss the report Of the
committee on revision which was to-day
presented 10 the commissioners. A ma
Jority report was also laid before the
assembly and it is probable that the ques-
tion will not come up for consideration
until next Thursday. 1t will be at least
delayed until subjects Of more personal
interest are out OF the way.
TO-day'S session was called to order al
$3.50 o'clock by Moderator Minton, and
after the usual devotional exercises, re-
ports of special committees were pre-
scented. Appended TO the report of the
twentieth century fund committee were &
number Of resolutions which the assembly
was asked TO adopt. They were as fol-
lows:
That the general assembly calls upon every
church in the denomination still burdened
with Indebtedness and thus hindered from
giving its full share to missions and henevol-
ence, TO take steps under the inspiration OF
this movement TO remove this Indebtedness
within the next two years.
That the general assembly earnestly re-
quest congregations and individual governors
throughout the church to prayerfully con-
slider the enlarged needs and larger OppoT-
tunities CT the boards of the theological
seminaries, Of the academic, collegiate and
charitable institutions Of the church and
speedily 10 provide for those greater needs
as the Lord may enable them to DO.
That the general assembly most earnestly
calls upon the synods and the pTesbyteries
to continue to prosecute this work during the
ensuing year by organized effort and the
hearty cooperation with the general COM
mittee.
That in view Of the longer time necessary to
gather in the full results of this twentieth
century movement, the assemblys commit
tee be continued for another year to report
tG the general assembly in 1902.
Revision of the Creed.
The assembly fixed next Thursday at 10
a. m fer the hearing and consideration Of
the report of the special committee on the
revision Of the confession of faith. Thurs
day and Friday have been set aside for
the discussion Of revision, as it is con-
sidered that the debate will consume at
least two days. The report contains the
following:
After the patient consideration given to this
important subject, thus recorded, and after
q pFotracted, but harmonious. discussion of
the subject in all its bearings and in its
possible issues, it was determined to submit
to the general assembly to convene in Phila-
delphia. May 16, 1901, the following find
ings and recommendation, viz:
First-That the returns indicate that the
church desires some change in its creedal
statement.
second-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.
Third-These returns indicate that it IS
the mind Of the church that the confession
shall be interpreted throughout in harmony
with the teaching of scripture that God is not
"a ~,
decree of God. but the wickedness Of their
own hearts which shuts some men out from
the salvation freely and lovingly offered in
Jesus Christ TO all sinners.
Fourth-These returns indicate that g
plurality of the presbyteries desire that
changes should be made by some new state
ment of present doctrines.
Fifth-The returns also indicate a desire on
the part of many presbyteries for some re-
vision Of the present confession, especially in
chapter g; chapter 10, section 8; chapter 16,
section Z; chapter %, section 3; chapter %,
section 6; with additional statements con-
cerning the love of God for all men, missions
and the Holy Spirit
AIN view of these facts we recommend
that committee, as provided for by the
form of government, chapter xii, section 3,
be appointed by this assembly
B-We recommend that this committee be
instructed to prepare a brief summary of
the reformed faith bearing the same rela
tion to the confession which the shorter cate
chism bears to the larger catechism, and
formed on the general model Of the eoncensus
creed prepared for the assembly Of 1892, or
the ARTICLES of faith of the Presbyterian
church of England both of which documents
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 vindicate' and clear
the doctrines of the church from all false
aspersions and misconceptions, to give a
better understanding Of what is most surely
believed among US, and is in no sense to i'm
pair. but rather to manifest and maintain
the integrity of the reformed faith.
C-We further recommend that this COM
mittee be instructed to prepare amendments
OF chapter iii. chapter K, section 8; chapter
xvi.. section I; chapter xii. 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 addi-
tional statements concerning 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 confession and
taught in the holy scripture
Some Dissidents.
The members of the committee appointed by
the last assembly unanimously agreed to all
the findings and recommendations of this
report, with the exception that Rev. DR.. Will
liam McKibbon and E. W. c. Humphrey
rould not approve of the recommendation TO
the assembly, TO instruct the committee that
might be appointed to prepare summary of
the reformed faith to be submitted to the
sresbyteries, in connection with such other
amendments and statements as might be pre-
Dared These members gave notice that they
would submit to the assembly a report en-
hodying the findings and recommendations Of
this report omitting the recommendation to
instruct a committee that might be ap-
pointed to prepare such a summary of the
>eformed faith.
In conclusion We feel justified in the
that our lamented member, General Benjamin
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 report.
LOYAL TO cur standards, believing that a
constitutional majority of our beloved church
fayors some action, and that our recon-
nendations, if executed, would preserve in
tact our system of doctrine and promote the
peace and prosperity of the church. we
humbly and reverently submit the results
of our inquiries and deliberations to this ven
cradle assembly.
Charles A. Dickie, Herrick Johnson, Sam
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