Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-25
REVISION DESIRED.
The Presbyterians Plainly De-
note Wishes in Matter.
Attempt to Dismiss the Question Is
Overwhelmingly Defeated.
m. oi Nos. Exciting Discussions in History
Of General Assembly.

,arian general assembly, Dy vote
Itch showed conclusively that a re-
,s;on of the confession of faith is de-
sired by the church, today, defeated
the amendment dismissing the whole
subject offered by Rev. George d. Ba-
Tor of Philadelphia. The assembly de-
cided by an overwhelming majority t.
continue the consideration of the great
Question After two days of debate at
the opening of the afternoon session.
the assembly decided to vote on the
amendment at 4.30 O'Clock and speechc..
were limited to ten minutes. The time
however. was extended in order to give
number of commissioners, who wish.
cd to be heard, an opportunity OF
speaking.
The debate on creed revision was
continued. today. and as was the case.
Yesterday. cavalry church was unable
10 contain the throngS who came to
hear the discussion. Rev. DIR. John De-
Witt of Princeton Theological semi
nary. announced that arrangements
had been completed for the reception to
the commissioners at Princeton. tomor-
row.
After the disposition of n few miner
matters. Moderator Minton called for
the unfinished business of yesterday
The moderator said he had found the
entire assembly in favor of n full free
and fair presentation of the question
but suggested that the commissioners
endeavor as far as possible to adhere
to the rule of brevity. especially as the
great ground had been staked out by
the able speakers of yesterday.
Rev. David s. Kennedy of Allegheny
Pa. yielded the floor to Judge F.. w.
c. Humphrey of Louisville. who signed
the minority report with DR.. McKib-
ben.
DR.. Kennedy gave 4 forceful argu-
ment against revision. The way to
break down the confession finally. he
said is to go on making holes in it.
I'VE stand united on the confession"
continued DR.. Kennedy. 1T is con-
structed from beginning to end to be
used for scientific purposes. 1t is the
constitution of our church organiZa
ton. We are not considering a popular
creed but the fundamental principle of
our organization. The confession has
been charged with failing to truthfully
present the belief of the church. We
sure not one of us signed it dishonest
iy. l repudiate the statement that the
confession does not set forth the main
side and personality of the holy spirit"
This brought Rev. DR.. Herrick John
son to his feet. Il beg your pardon"
he said. but if you refer to me / did
not ask that
DR.. Kennedy replied that while he
,;.,Lt \
sons words he had received that i'm
preston.
In conclusion Mr.. Kennedy s1id:
Our plea is that now is not the time
for changes while the church is under
fire. After a fair. deliberate and free
discussion we find ourselves divided up.
Let us wait until God in His prov
idence brings us to the time when we
can agree on the questions at issue"
Rev. DR.. J. Moffatt of Cumberland
Maryland, in his appeal to the assem-
bly, for a change in the confession that
would give a more even balance of
truth. said: "The confession is Il man
made constitution and we are not dis
ctissing the word of God. If this ques-
ton is voted down by this assembly it
Will come to the front again until We
give the church what ii demands. |
want to see side by side two great
truths: First. the sovereignty Of God.
and above all. His election of men: and
secondly. the freedom of man to
choose. 1 believe that God has elected
all infants to salvation
DIR. John Dewitt of Princeton Uni
Versity, was next recognized by the
moderator. There was n disposition by
some Of the commissioners to close the
debate AS DIR. Dewitt took the plat
form there We're cries of Question.
The Princeton professor paid n tribute
10 the high character of the debate
which has thus far been entirely free
from acrimony and sarcasm. He said
There was no danger of division liz
the church and he wanted it to go out
10 the world that no matter how the
differ in the Westminster confession
they stood united on the word of God.
lie spoke of the consistency of the be-
ilefs of the church which had stuck
closer to the doctrines of reformation
than any other church.
MIR. Dewitt said he belonged to what
is known as the fourth party. The first
party. he said. emphasizes a new sum-
Ihasizes amendments to certain speci-
ne sections; the third wants q declara-
tion or explanatory statement: the
fourth Emphasizes "our noble declara-
TORY statement which is now in our
possession and which will solve the en-
IRE question:"
Dewitt said he was not an obstruc
ZIONIST. His proposition was that the
aSSembly stand on it's rights and assert
me great, noble, liberal term of sub
scrlption. The speaker in referring to
,he proposed creedal statement said he
hoped some one would be given carte
oianche to tell us what we are to do
witnout further instruction of the
ohurch. He regarded it as the most
.honstrous proposition ever propounded
10 reformed church.
resident J. d. Moffatt of Washing
.on and Jefferson University. said he
oelpnged. like Dewitt, to the fourth
party, yet he was opposed to dismiss
nag the entire matter, while Dewitt
"as IN favor of such action. He did
.ot Know whether he was a revisionist
VI not because there was no specific
proposition before the assembly. He
auVicated the acceptance Of recOmmen-
uation "B," and until the committee
makes its ranOrt in oooOrda IN that