Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-05-30
Presbyterian Assembly Begins the
Debate on the Question.
DISCUSSION DEVOID OF ACRINONY.
The Two Reports Of the Committee ON Re-
vision Resd-Dr. Dlckey Supports the
Old Confession speeches Made by
Others for Change.

bly, yesterday began the debate on the
revision of the confession of faith
Brilliant leaders of the church ad
vanccd their views in a calm, dispas
si0nate manner and the entire dis.
cussion was devoid Of acrimony
4 With full realization of the great
Importance of the subject, the as
sembly proceeded to consider and in
vestigate thoroughly every detail Of
the proposed changes in the creed.
Calvary church was not large
enough to accommodate the throngs
who clamored for admission. Many
I Of the spectators did not leave the
church during the noon recess Al
though frequently requested to avoid
demonstrations, the audience repeat
eddy applauded the speakers. Among
the audience were many clergymen
Of other denominations.
The great question came before the
assembly with the reading of the re-
port Of the committee on revision by
Rev. DR.. Charles A. Dickey, chairman.
This was followed by the minority
report, read by Rev. DR.. William Nc
Kibben, Of Cincinnati.
A rule Of the assembly gives chair
men the right to speak on their re-
ports after they have been received,
but before DR.. Dickey could secure
recognition Rev. DR.. Samuel j. Mic
coils moved the adoption of the first
recommendation in both reports.
Rev. DR.. James D. Moffat made a sub
stitute motion to adopt the majority
report and an amendment was Of
fered substituting the minority. Rev.
DR.. George d. Baker presented as an
other amendment resolution to the
effect that as the vote OF the pres
byteries indicated lack Of unanimity
the entire subject be dismissed. Dr..
Dickey secured the floor on this
amendment and made stirring adj
dress supporting the old confession.
Rev. DR.. Herrick johnson and Rev.
DR.. Samuel j. Niccolls aroused the
unbounded enthusiasm OF the audi
ence by their brilliant presentations
Of the revision factions reasons for
desiring change.
Rev. DR.. George Y. Purvcs spoke
against revision, as did Rev. DR..
George D. Baker. DR.. McIiibbcn IA
vored modified change There are
ESQ commissioners committed to dis
missal, but they have expressed them
selves as open to conviction.
--.-..--
Philadelphia, May 27.--Commission-
era to the general assembly again sup
Piled nearly all of the Presbyterian
pulpits and those of several other de-
nominations in this city and vicinity
yesterday. Many persons took I'D
vantage of the opportunity to hear
the men whose eloguence during the
past week held the attention of thou
sands in Calvary church in the discus
sion upon the question of the revi-
sion of the confession of faith. The
leaders of the several parties that
have battled for supremacy were
heard In the prominent churches. |
Moderator Minton delivered two SER
mons, one in the morning at North
minister church and the other in the
evening at 0lvet church.
Evangelical work and methods were
discussed at largely attended meet
ing of the eyangelistic committee in
the afternoon in Witherspoon hall.
The meeting was held so that com
missioners to the general assembly
could hive an opportunity to ask
questions concerning the work. Mr..
Converse, in speaking Of the evan
gelical work in this city, said the
results had been all that had been
desired. More than 100000 persons
had attended the meetings held in
five tents in this city last summer.
The debate on the revision of the
confession of faith, which took up
the whole of three days Inst week,
was resumed this morning and It is
believed some definite action will be
taken before the assembly adjourns
for the day. Much comment has been
made by the commissioners over the
high character Of the debate as far
as 1t has gone. There has been n to-
tai absence of harsh feeling.
The question before the assembly
Is; "Shall the majority report he
adopted in its entirety?" This re-
port, briefly stated, recommends the
appointment of committee to pre-
pare q brief summary Of the re-
formed faith, bearing the same rela-
son 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
PARTICLES 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 state
ment, or as more clearly to express
the mind of the church.
The motions to dismiss the whole
matter and to strike out the recon-
mendation in the majority report for
q brief summary having been de-
feated, the contest has narrowed